One of Philadelphia’s Main Line suburbs, Ardmore is just a few minutes from the city by rail; many residents work there. Many colleges, including Villanova University and Bryn Mawr College, are located nearby, giving residents easy access to still more cultural events. And there’s a growing arts scene right in town, not to mention an historic downtown and lots of shopping. A new park recently opened for residents.

Settled by Quakers in the 1600s, this historic town in Montgomery County lies within easy commuting distance of Philadelphia. Two other pluses: Low crime and good schools. Residents are proud of their 25,000-square-foot library, which opened in 2004. One negative: A naval air base here was shut down in 2011, causing some job losses. But the corporate headquarters of several large companies, including Nutrisystem and Toll Brothers, are still here.

One of Philadelphia’s Main Line suburbs, Ardmore is just a few minutes from the city by rail; many residents work there. Many colleges, including Villanova University and Bryn Mawr College, are located nearby, giving residents easy access to still more cultural events. And there’s a growing arts scene right in town, not to mention an historic downtown and lots of shopping. A new park recently opened for residents.