Top 5 Philadelphia Suburbs for Commuters

If you work in Philadelphia but don't wish to live in the city, a nearby suburb may be the right choice for you. If you're new to the area, you should note that property taxes vary greatly in Philadelphia suburbs, so if you want to become a homeowner, do your research on local municipalities.

Access to Philadelphia is a primary determinant of the top five Philadelphia suburbs for commuters. Commuters can access the city from the suburbs via SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) buses and regional rail lines. Commuters can get to Philadelphia from New Jersey via PATCO (Port Authority Transit Company) trains (also known as the Speed Line) and New Jersey Transit buses.

Collingswood, NJ

Collingswood contains a PATCO stop and a spacious parking lot, making it ideal for many commuters. Several available homes and apartments are within walking distance of the train as well. Collingswood is a very community-oriented town, boasting coffee shops, special events and a farmers market. It's also a pet-friendly location full of community events for pet owners.

Collingswood is located east of Philadelphia.

Hatboro, PA

Hatboro offers the charm of a main street community with immediate and convenient access to the city. Commuters can hop on the R1 (Center City/Airport lines) to commute by train. Hatboro is also located just off of Route 611, which heads south into Philadelphia. Hatboro is a pedestrian-friendly town that also receives limited local bus service from SEPTA.

Commuters with children will also enjoy Hatboro's community events-like the Christmas parade-and the Blue Ribbon Hatboro-Horsham School District.

Hatboro is located northwest of Philadelphia.

Glenside, PA

Glenside's SEPTA station is a popular one because it's the last suburban stop on some rail routes. Plagued by a parking problem here, SEPTA is constructing a new parking garage nearby. Rent is comparatively low in Glenside and culture is readily available due to the proximity of the Keswick Theatre.

If you're hoping to take undergraduate or graduate classes, Glenside is a convenient location-Arcadia University is located here.

Glenside is located just north of Philadelphia.

Media, PA

Media is an upscale location with many reasonable rates available for renters. It's a popular hangout for the after-work crowd and night time or weekend partiers in their 20s and 30s. While traffic can be a problem in Media, it's located close to 476 (the Blue Route) and the airport, making it ideal for those who fly frequently. There's also a SEPTA R5 stop in Media and the town includes downtown shopping and restaurant destinations.

Media is located south of Philadelphia.

Cherry Hill, NJ

Home to the famous Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill is located just across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Philadelphia, making it an ideal access point for commuters who like to drive into the city each day. Cherry Hill features high-end real estate and apartments. It's easily accessible from all major South Jersey roadways, making it the perfect suburb for the commuter on-the-go. NJ Transit also serves Cherry Hill from several locations including the mall; commuters can take NJ Transit buses to the nearby PATCO stops, too.

Cherry Hill is directly east of Philadelphia (just past Camden).

Compared to other cities on the East Coast, Philadelphia is relatively friendly to commuters. There is less foot traffic, auto traffic and public transit volume than in New York City or Washington, DC, though public transit is less accessible depending on location. For this reason, it's imperative to select a commuter-friendly suburb.