Suburban perks with an urban pace
Conveniently located right off the Delaware Expressway, or Interstate 95, Crum Lynne offers residents an urban atmosphere while maintaining the benefits of suburban living. With access to the interstate and a regional rail station, this neighborhood attracts commuters looking to land quickly into the city – whether that be Philadelphia 20 miles northeast or Wilmington just 15 miles southwest. More location perks include proximity to big-name shops and community-cherished eateries, and it’s easy to catch an international flight with Philadelphia Airport so close. Locals share their residential streets with college students, as Widener University is just a skip away to the west, and excitement on the riverfront is a short drive south.
From quaint townhomes to spacious colonials
Sidewalks weave through Crum Lynne’s residential areas, where many homes offer street parking. The housing inventory is currently low, but when available, homebuyers can find duplex styles like twin homes and townhomes or single-family styles that include colonials – many in the Dutch and Foursquare variety – and Cape Cods. “It’s a family-friendly town of working-class people who really care about their homes and communities,” says William Furia, a Realtor with Coldwell Banking Realty. A 1,500-square-foot townhome unit, depending on its level of renovation, might cost anywhere from $190,000 to $300,000. Some homes have quaint fenced-in front lots, while others have more yard space around the back and feature detached garages. Brick and vinyl colonial and Cape Cod properties range from 1,200 square feet to as spacious as 3,000 square feet, and these single-family homes typically cost between $165,000 and $415,000.
Commuting on I-95 and the SEPTA train
Commuters have easy access to Interstates 95 and 476, which both intersect through Crum Lynne. U.S. Route 13, or Chester Pike, is another highly trafficked thoroughfare that adds to the high noise level in some sections of the neighborhood. The Crum Lynne train station has a regional rail that takes passengers 20 miles into Center City and 30 miles in the other direction to Newark. There are also several SEPTA bus stops peppered along Chester Pike. For further travel, Philadelphia International Airport is only 6 miles east.
Serene strolls through John Heinz Wildlife Refuge
On the north side of the airport is John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, a nature preserve that offers more than 10 miles of hiking and birdwatching trails. Within Crum Lynne, there are a few pocket parks with green space and small play areas, like Tony Daliessio Park. On the east side, youth leagues practice and play at Catania Park, and Nancy Scott Cowan Memorial Park in Eddystone offers a playground and walking paths. On the other side of this recreation space, Eddystone Lighthouse Hall is the community gathering spot for indoor basketball games and outdoor holiday events. Also across from the park is St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, where mass is held within a stone Gothic Revival steeple.
Eating and errands at Eddystone Crossings
Chester Pike brings residents to a host of retail and dining in and around Crum Lynne, including Stargate Diner, a local favorite that’s conveniently open 24 hours a day. On the south side is Eddystone Crossings, complete with Walmart, ShopRite, fast-food eateries, clothing shops, banks and salons. Located in this retail area is the original Zac’s Burgers, a family-owned business that opened in 1984 and serves burgers and milkshakes. “It’s a nice area, and the people are loyal. They’ve supported me for 40 years now,” says founder and owner Pete Politarhos. He also says that Crum Lynne started as a quiet area and is now a bustling town thanks to the addition of Eddystone Crossings. Also in the area is Portobello Cafe, which is the go-to for the Italian classics and white tablecloth service.
Ridley public schools and Widener University
Students living in Crum Lynne might begin with an 11-1 student-teacher ratio at either Woodlyn Elementary or Eddystone Elementary, both of which receive a B-minus Niche grade. Ridley Middle School also receives a B-minus. They can then progress to Ridley High School, which Niche grades a B and ranks in the top 24% of public high schools in Pennsylvania with the best teachers. Higher education continues just west, where Widener University is a private university that enrolls about 5,500 undergraduate and graduate students. And just 5 miles north of Crum Lynne, Swarthmore College is another private school with a selective admission rate that enrolls slightly more than 1,500 undergraduate students a year.
Excitement on the river at Harrah’s
Just past Eddystone in the neighboring city of Chester is Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, just a 5-minute drive from Crum Lynne. This 24-hour casino includes restaurants and patio bars, helping to bring entertainment and nightlife to the area. Equidistant on the other side of Crum Lynne is Taylor Hospital, located in Ridley Park.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
