Chadds Ford

Museums, meadows and million-dollar homes define Montchanin – a rural unincorporated community teetering the Pennsylvania-Delaware state line. Just under 5 miles North of downtown Wilmington, Montchanin is close to the action while tucked into the quiet countryside. Community streets are windy, hilly and woodsy – a token representation of rural Delaware. While you’re not far from the suburbs of North Wilmington, Montchanin’s bucolic topography will have you forgetting you’re not deep in the country. Montchanin housing prices can be as low as 500,000 but mainly reach and exceed the million-dollar mark. Most properties feature several acres of land, allowing distance from neighbors and a sense of privacy. You’ll primarily find sprawling contemporary and traditional colonials between 5,000 and 7,000 square feet with at least four bedrooms, providing plenty of wiggle room. You’ll also find a few spacious ranch-style homes. Students in Montchanin attend schools under the Red Clay Consolidated School District, which earned an overall A-minus from Niche. Students typically start at Brandywine Springs School - the community’s local elementary school. Students at Brandywine Springs score above average on their tests, receiving an 8 out of 10 on GreatSchools. Students progress to Alexis I. du Pont Middle School, which touts a C-plus on Niche. Students advance to Alexis I. du Pont High School, where they can join clubs like drama club, Environmental Action Committee and math league. The school received an overall B on Niche. Brandywine Creek State Park is Montchanin’s outdoor respite. Park-goers enjoy various natural amenities, including 14 miles of hiking trails, four nature preserves and picturesque flower meadows. Trail travelers enjoy a run or casual walk with their furry friends, capturing peeks at the park’s rich flora and fauna. You might see wildlife like chipmunks, deer, Eastern Meadowlarks and Blue Birds. Explore the trails with new friends by joining a group hike or a local bicycle club, like the White Clay Bicycle Club. And if you’re looking to meet more community members, join the Wilmington Country Club. A membership affords something for the whole family, like two 18-hole golf courses, 26 tennis courts and a child-friendly aquatic center. Montchanin is a quiet area with minimal stores and retail centers, but you’re only 5 miles west of the action. Locals mostly head to Concord Pike, known as Route 202, for shopping. Brandywine Town Center is an epicenter of retail, featuring big box stores like Target, Lowe’s Home Improvement, TJ Maxx and more. Over a mile south of Brandywine Town Center is Concord Mall. The mall has a Sprouts Farmers Market if you need to pick up your groceries and a variety of clothing stores and restaurants. If you don’t want to cook at home, have dinner at Buckley’s Tavern, a local favorite. Buckley’s affords a homey feel with its classic farmhouse architecture, featuring a diverse and elevated menu. Montchanin is a premiere spot for museums. One of the most visited is the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. Displays of varying American arts are found throughout the old home of the museum’s founder, Henry Francis du Pont. The museum showcases an eclectic array of creations that fill 175 rooms of the main house, picturesque gardens and a library with a rich historical catalog. Winterthur features several events like virtual lectures, garden ghost tours and wellness yoga. Another museum you can frequent is the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science. The family-friendly museum is full of exhibitions that showcase and educate on the natural world. Montchanin is a car-dependent community, but a few bus stops line Kennett Pike. Delaware’s DART transit system extends to Montchanin via Route 52. Drivers have quick access to Route 202 and Interstate 95 for day-to-day commuting. Many residents work in Philadelphia, 25 miles North or downtown Wilmington, under 5 miles south. Montchanin offers rural living and proximity to shopping while boasting a coveted and peaceful zip code.