Vintage retail surrounded by classic suburbia
In the desirable community of Glenside, quiet and shaded residential streets surround a classic and walkable downtown area. “The business district is like a little old-fashioned village,” says Etta Norton, a local of the neighboring Abington and 30-year Realtor with Quinn & Wilson. “There’s a variety of restaurants, antique stores and flower shops.” Young families are drawn to this neighborhood for its top-rated public schools and trendy eateries, while an older crowd also finds Glenside an attractive place to live due in part to its charming and nostalgic storefronts. Residents have their choice of both dining and architectural housing styles in this quintessential suburbia. “It really is a close-knit community full of real, actual neighborhoods,” Norton says.
An assortment of historic Foursquares and stone Colonials
Mature dogwood and white pine trees line the sidewalks that wrap through the residential sections of Glenside, where homes offer both driveways and street parking. “You’ll rarely find a street where all the houses are the same,” Norton says. “It’s more or less a conglomerate of different styles and eclectic non-cookie-cutter homes.” Typical styles include Foursquares, colonials and Cape Cods built in the midcentury, some that were originally built even earlier maintain their historic elements. These homes, depending on their renovations and sizes that range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, are priced between $250,000 and $600,000. Larger American Foursquares, Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals that offer from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet of space are priced to match, from $600,000 to $1 million. The housing market will also occasionally feature an 8,000-square-foot estate for almost $2 million.
Top-rated Cheltenham public schools
Public school students might attend kindergarten through fourth grade at Glenside Elementary, which Niche grades a B-plus, before moving up to Elkins Park School, a fifth through sixth-grade school with an A-minus grade. Cedarbrook Middle School, graded a B-plus, offers its seventh and eighth graders a 10-1 student-teacher ratio. Students can advance to Cheltenham High, which Niche grades an A-minus and ranks in the top 12% of Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania. Private school options in Glenside include Saint Luke Catholic School, which provides a preschool program and an elementary program for kindergarten through eighth graders. This private school shares a campus with Saint Luke Catholic Church, the largest of its kind in the community.
Eateries and nostalgia on Easton Road
Downtown Glenside features both vintage storefronts and new-age breweries and performance venues, mainly along Glenside Avenue and Easton Road. While there are several cuisines to choose from, some local favorites include upscale Chinese at Jasmine Asian Bistro and authentic Greek at Elia. The Village Diner serves American breakfast, and Trios Tomato Pie offers the Italian classics. Diners might grab a bite and a brew at The Ways before catching some live music next door at The Royal. West on the avenue is Primex Garden Center, a popular spot for greenthumbs and amateur planters. “Also in the center of town is a little old-fashioned grocery store called O’Neill’s Market,” Norton says. “It has a nostalgic feeling, and a lot of kids like to walk there to pick up milk or a deli sandwich for lunch.” Bigger grocery stores nearby include Produce Junction, and just south of Glenside is a shopping center with a Target.
Tradition and entertainment in downtown Glenside
The private Arcadia University neighbors Glenside, often partnering with the town for community events. Each year, the two host Downtown Glenside’s Arts Fest, which features live music, art vendors, food trucks and kids' activities. Glenside also hosts the annual Keep the Parade Running, a 5K that sponsors the community’s July 4th celebration. “Everyone gets a shirt and raises funds for the Fourth of July Parade, one of the oldest parades in the country,” Norton says. “The celebration has everything from a mariachi band to a reindeer on a float.” The downtown area is also home to the Keswick Theatre, an old-school vaudeville in a Tudor Revival. “They do anything from comedy to musicals to dramas to one-person shows,” Norton adds.
Fun for all seasons at Penbryn Township Park
Residents head to the north side of Glenside to make sure of Penbryn Township Park. Youth and club sports play on the soccer fields, baseball diamonds and basketball courts, and thrill seekers bring their sleds to slide down the park’s hill when the snow hits. This recreation area also offers an outdoor pool in the summer and an outdoor ice-skating rink in the winter. On the east side, Baederwood Park offers 16 acres that includes a playground, ice-skating rink and woodsy walking trails. Peaceful walks also happen at Ralph Morgan Park to the south, where the trails wind along Tacony Creek.
Riding the SEPTA train into Philly
Commuters can easily access Interstate 276 just north of Glenside. Other major highways nearby include Pennsylvania Routes 73 and 611, the latter leading to Philadelphia in just 15 miles. The SEPTA bus services the area, with many stops along Glenside Avenue and Easton Road. The SEPTA train picks up passengers at the Glenside station, running into Philadelphia and out to Doylestown. “We’re in close proximity to Center City for the cultural events,” Norton says. “By train, it’s about 35 minutes, and depending on traffic, the drive can be 45 minutes to an hour.”
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Photography Contributed By
Rich Walker
