If you talk to parents who’ve moved in the last few years, you’ll hear a similar story. City life worked for a while, but once kids entered the picture, space, schools, and costs mattered more than being in the heart of the city. That’s why suburban Pennsylvania is getting more and more attention. From reasonable home prices to strong school districts and commutes that still make sense, the Pennsylvania suburbs offer a balance many families are actively looking for.
Take a clear, practical look at why more families are choosing to move to suburban Pennsylvania, with real numbers and places worth considering.
Space and Affordability Draw Families Out of the Cities
One of the biggest reasons families leave cities is the math. High housing costs and smaller properties don’t mesh with growing families. In many parts of suburban Pennsylvania, you get more house for less money.
As of 2024–2025, the cost of living in Pennsylvania remains below the national average. Median home prices help tell the story:
- Suburban homes in Pennsylvania often range between $300,000 and $450,000
- Comparable homes in major Northeast cities can easily exceed $650,000
- Property taxes vary by township, but many PA suburbs offer lower rates
Many families want bedrooms instead of flex spaces and a yard instead of a shared outdoor space. Housing affordability in PA makes it realistic to move into a single-family home without overextending financially.
Popular affordable options families look at include:
- West Chester, PA: Historic town center, strong schools, and walkable neighborhoods
- Downingtown, PA: Family-oriented, newer developments, good commuter access
- Mechanicsburg, PA: Lower home prices with access to Harrisburg jobs
These are just a few of the many attractive towns spread across the state.
Suburban Communities Offer a Better Quality of Life for Families
Beyond housing, day-to-day life is more child-friendly outside the city. Suburbs tend to prioritize:
- Quieter streets with less traffic
- Local parks and community recreation centers
- Youth sports leagues and after-school programs
- Neighborhoods where kids actually play outside
Towns like Phoenixville, PA, Cranberry Township, PA, and Hershey, PA consistently rank for safety and community engagement. These places aren’t isolated. They’re active without being overwhelming.
This is the appeal of the suburban lifestyle. You still have restaurants, gyms, and shopping nearby, but the pace and density are more manageable. Parents often say they feel more comfortable letting kids bike, walk to friends’ houses, or play in the yard.
Stronger School Districts Are a Major Pull for Parents
For many families, schools are the deciding factor. Pennsylvania school districts in suburban areas frequently outperform urban districts in test scores, graduation rates, and extracurricular offerings.
Parents researching the best places to raise a family in PA often land on districts such as:
- Tredyffrin–Easttown School District: Consistently ranked among the best in the state
- Lower Merion School District: Strong academics and arts programs
- Pine-Richland School District: Popular with families near Pittsburgh
Smaller class sizes, newer facilities, and more diverse programs are common in suburban districts. That doesn’t mean city schools aren’t good, but suburban options often have more to offer.
Families moving with younger kids especially value the chance to stay in one district for years, instead of navigating school lotteries or rezoning.
Commute-Friendly Towns Are Rising in Popularity
Commuting used to be a dealbreaker for suburban moves. That’s changed. Many families now work hybrid schedules, and commuting from PA suburbs is easier than it was a decade ago.
Towns with strong commuter access include:
- Media, PA: SEPTA rail access to Philadelphia
- Ambler, PA: Walkable downtown with regional rail service
- Mt. Lebanon, PA: Popular suburb with easy access to Pittsburgh
Typical suburban commute in PA ranges from 30 to 50 minutes, depending on distance and transit options. For many families, that tradeoff is worth the larger homes and better schools.
Remote and hybrid work has also made parents more willing to live farther out if they only commute a few days a week.
Hiring Local Movers Makes the Transition Easier
This is where I’ll get personal. When my family decided to move from a Phillidelphia to the suburbs, we underestimated how much work it would be. Between school schedules, packing kids’ rooms, and coordinating closing dates, it added stress fast.
We ended up using Zip To Zip Moving Company, and it made a big difference. They handled the heavy lifting while we focused on getting the kids settled. The crew showed up on time, packed carefully, and kept things moving without rushing us.
What stood out was their experience with families. They knew how to plan the day so kids weren’t stuck waiting around, and they handled furniture and boxes with care. If you’ve ever tried to move while managing nap schedules and school pickups, you know how valuable that is. I recommend them to anyone looking for family moving services in Pennsylvania.
Now that we’ve been in the suburbs for a couple of years, we have no regrets, and our kids are happy in their new schools. So maybe it’s time that you consider whether city life is really what you’re after. Either way, good luck!
