Bala Cynwyd
Stone colonials and English Tudors comprise the community's historic housing set
Homes in Bala Cynwyd are historic, and a few date back to the 19th century. Most homes are large and feature over 2,000 square feet with at least four bedrooms. Buyers will find traditional colonials with stone facades complemented by slate roofing. Additional brick colonials and English Tudor-style homes occupy woodsy, quarter-acre lots. There are also a few ranch styles and split levels. Many of the community’s older, larger homes are priced over a million dollars, but prices often fall between $600,000 and $900,000. Locals can glimpse some of the community’s historic homes on walks along sidewalk-lined streets. “We have great architecture, and the stone colonial is our trademark style,” Robbins says. “Plus, most houses have really beautiful landscaping.” Many streets have adjacent mature trees, and residents maintain the upkeep of their lawns with trimmed shrubbery and seasonal flowers.
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Students attend one of the best school districts in the state
Public institutions are served by the top-rated Lower Merion School District. Niche ranked the school district fourth overall in the state and graded it with an overall A-plus. Children begin their education at Cynwyd Elementary School, which Niche ranked 11th best in Pennsylvania and gave an overall A-plus. Students progress to Bala-Cynwyd Middle School, where they score far above the state average on their tests, according to GreatSchools. Niche gave the school an overall A-plus. Students head to Lower Merion High School to earn their degrees. Students can join various extracurriculars, from the Animation Club and Debate Team to the Screenwriting Club and Jazz Band.
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Walking the Heritage Trail or exploring the cemetery
Locals in Bala Cynwyd often enjoy a day outside. For a 2-mile hike or bike ride, residents hit the Cynwyd Heritage Trail from three trailheads, including one at Cynwyd Station. The trail has a connection at Bala Cynwyd Park, which offers 13 acres of recreational activities such as a playground, basketball court, tennis courts and ball fields. It also leads to the Manayunk Bridge, which features views of the Schuylkill River. Local athletes practice at McMoran Park, which has baseball fields, tennis courts and additional multi-use fields. The park’s 10 acres also features a playground, picnic tables and a tot lot for the younger kids. Bala Cynwyd is home to West Laurel Hill Cemetery. Founded in 1869, the historic cemetery is a frequently visited spot with its scenic landscape and panoramic views of the Schuylkill River. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
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The community has a rustic town center with locally-owned businesses
Bala Cynwyd has a rustic downtown area along Bala Avenue with brick-clad storefronts comprising service businesses and restaurants. Locals browse shops like Jody’s Collection for clothes or stop in Bala Day Spa for a massage. And Pescatore BYOB is a popular spot for dinner, featuring Italian favorites like gnocchi and fettuccine Bolognese. Following Montgomery Avenue are more restaurant options like Hymie’s Merion Deli. The deli features hot sandwiches, salads and ample breakfast foods among a case-full of fresh-baked pastries. Residents mostly head to Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center for grocery or retail shopping. The shopping center features large chain stores like Michael’s and ACME Market. The shopping area sits along City Avenue, a busy four-lane commercial corridor.
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Locals often use SEPTA transportation
Cynwyd Station is in the heart of the community, offering residents quick access to the Main Line. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority serves the community, and bus stops are throughout. Commuters have a 7-mile trip into the heart of Philadelphia and commonly use Highway 76. Roxborough Memorial Hospital is just under 3 miles away, and the Philadelphia International Airport is a 15-mile trip from Bala Cynwyd.
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Written By
Sarah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
Video By
Adam Lapallo
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Tom Weeks
Tom Weeks
BHHS Fox & Roach-Haverford
(484) 742-3589
33 Total Sales
1 in Bala Cynwyd
$741,000 Price
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Brooke Penders
Brooke Penders
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Realty
(484) 849-0218
355 Total Sales
1 in Bala Cynwyd
$242,500 Price
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Tammy Harrison
Tammy Harrison
Compass RE
(484) 592-4828
95 Total Sales
3 in Bala Cynwyd
$425K - $1M Price Range
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Lisa Ciccotelli
Lisa Ciccotelli
Responds QuicklyBHHS Fox & Roach-Haverford
(484) 922-9813
344 Total Sales
9 in Bala Cynwyd
$197K - $1M Price Range
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Mia Bloomfield
Mia Bloomfield
Compass RE
(856) 409-7095
35 Total Sales
1 in Bala Cynwyd
$138,000 Price
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John McAleer
John McAleer
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Main Line
(484) 603-3963
190 Total Sales
1 in Bala Cynwyd
$303,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Gulley Run
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Mcmoran Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Bala Cynwyd Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Bala Avenue Park
- Picnic Area
- Pickleball
- Playground
Cynwyd Station Park
- Trails
- Parking Lot
Lewis J. Smith Park
- Pool
Cynwyd Heritage Trail
- Bike Trails
- Trails
Transit
Airport
Philadelphia International
29 min drive
Train
Cynwyd
Train
Bala
Bus
Montgomery Av & Parsons Av
Bus
Conshohocken State Rd & Manayunk Rd - Fs
Bus
City Av & Presidential Blv - Fs
Bus
Old Lancaster Rd & Gramercy Rd
Bus
Conshohocken State Rd & Bala Av
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Bala Cynwyd | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bala Cynwyd Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bala Cynwyd, Lower Merion sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Bala Cynwyd, Lower Merion over the last 12 months is $590,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$572,012
Median Sale Price
$590,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$789,130
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$660,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$325,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
119
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-6%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$276
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,038
Number of Homes for Sale
27
Median Year Built
1940
Months of Supply
2.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,563
Above the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,223
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,629
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,006
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
1,002
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,712
Open Houses
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Sunday, Jul 1312 - 2pm
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Thursday, Jul 105 - 7pm
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Saturday, Jul 1212:30 - 2:30pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Condo Buildings
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
12,565
Median Age
43
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$132,072
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$157,737
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.4%
College Graduates
75.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
44.7%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
16''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
61
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
34
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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