Bridgeport

Located along the Schyulkill River is the neighborhood of Bridgeport, a small borough whose charm and character help it to shine as a desirable place to live.

In Bridgeport, the streets are gridded, branching off two main roads. Most homes here are town houses with multicolored brick or stone siding. Prices range from $200,000 to $400,000 for single-family homes and $500,000 to $700,000 for multi-family homes with rental potential. Bridgeport is a walkable neighborhood, with reliable sidewalks consistent throughout. While many town houses were built from the 1900s to the 1920s, there are new construction builds on the way. “There’s a whole new development in progress called River Point, which will bring new people to the area,” says Nathan Jones, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, “The town is very excited about that.”

New builds aren’t the only exciting feature Bridgeport has to offer: the highly ranked schools are a huge draw for the area. Students attend schools in the Upper Merion Area District, rated A by Niche. Children begin kindergarten at Bridgeport Elementary, where they stay until fifth grade, before continuing to Upper Merion Area Middle School for grades fifth through eighth. From there, students attend Upper Merion Area High School.

When the work and school day ends, enjoy picturesque views of maple trees from Bridgeport Memorial Park, or grab a soccer ball for a pickup game at Chiccino Athletic Field.

If you like to cook, you’ll love walking to local grocers nearby. For grocery hauls, larger chain grocers can be found on the outskirts of the neighborhood. For exotic fruit and seasonal produce, check out All Seasons Produce on 4th Street. There’s also the Riverview Market every other Sunday near the Schyulkill River, a farmer’s market where locals can buy fresh fruits and vegetables. If you’d rather order a meal, Fat Boys Deli has you covered, with multiple types of Philly-style cheesesteaks—even one made with Elk meat! For a sit-down meal with a great bar menu, try Puddlers Kitchen and Tap. Located in a former warehouse, this brewery and restaurant is home to Conshohocken Brewing Company, whose English-style ale, Puddlers Row, won the silver award at the World Beer Cup in 2016.

The community comes together annually for the Bridgeport Carnival, held on the property surrounding Borough Hall. Affectionately referred to by locals as “five days of affordable family fun,” this festival features rides, games, concessions, live music and local crafters, artisans, and food vendors. “It’s a cute, up-and-coming, young festival that has been growing every year,” says Jones. And every December, the city hosts a holiday festival, lighting the streets with twinkle lights and giving local crafters a place to sell their wares. “It’s a homey kind of area,” says Jones, “There’s plenty of community events to bring the neighborhood together, so people who live here like to stay here.”

It's not only community events that keep the neighborhood close-knit—their mayor makes an effort by sending out monthly newsletters updating locals on community events, news about local businesses, and general goings on in Bridgeport. “Beth Jacksier, our mayor, has an open-door policy, where she gives people in the neighborhood a chance to discuss the community with her. It’s something I haven’t seen any other mayor do, and it makes a difference,” says Jones.

Between the ease of travel to Philly and King of Prussia, the convenient walkable streets, and the community events, Bridgeport is a perfect example of a thriving and growing neighborhood.

Written By

Caitlyn Tierney

Photography Contributed By

Jay Ratchford

Video By

Mark Barakat