A tight-knit, walkable community 15 miles north of Philly
Situated in the heart of Abington Township in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Roslyn is a small, residential community that maintains a peaceful atmosphere despite being surrounded by major thoroughfares and shopping centers. “Everyone I know who grew up there still has a place in their heart for Roslyn,” says Jennifer Rappaport, a Realtor with Re/Max Central Blue Bell who has sold homes in the area. “There are parts of Roslyn where entire generations of families have lived since the early 1900s. It’s known to be a very friendly, walkable place to raise a family without breaking the bank.” Interstate and SEPTA access, Abington Township’s highly rated schools plus nearby parks and restaurants all lend to the area’s family-oriented nature.
Healthcare is the largest industry in Abington Township, and Jefferson Abington Hospital is less than a mile away from Roslyn. Some residents commute to Philadelphia, which is roughly 15 miles south.
A competitive market of postwar single-family homes
Roslyn’s midcentury single-family homes situated along a grid of sidewalk-lined streets lend to its walkable suburban feel. “There used to be an amusement park at Willow Grove, so this part of Abington used to be sort of touristy. But Roslyn has always been the family-oriented part of town — you won’t find any townhouse communities, just single-family homes and twin homes,” Rappaport says. The median home price in Roslyn is $375,000, which is below the national median but above the state median. Houses spend an average of 15 days on the market, selling about a full month faster than the national average of 45 days.
Highly rated Abington Schools close to home
Abington School District receives an A grade from Niche and serves around 8,500 students. “Abington School District also extends into parts of Upper Dublin and Huntingdon, but those places can get expensive. So if you want to be in the district and not spend as much money, you can get that in Roslyn,” Rappaport says. Many parents walk their kids to Roslyn Elementary, though some homes are zoned to different elementary schools. Abington Senior High School offers dual enrollment classes through Pennsylvania State University Abington, whose campus is located just across Old York Road.
Youth sports leagues practice at Roslyn Park
Roslyn Park spans a couple of blocks of green space dotted by baseball and soccer fields, a basketball court and a skatepark. The playground is within walking distance of Roslyn Elementary, making it a popular spot for playdates after the final bell. The Roslyn Boys and Girls Club also utilizes the park for its baseball and soccer camps. Briar Bush Nature Center also hosts summer camps and classes for kids, plus programs for homeowners about tree maintenance, stormwater management and weed identification. Grove Run Dog Park has fenced-in areas for big and small dogs to roam, with benches and shade for pup parents to relax and enjoy the trickle of the nearby creek.
Shopping, dining and annual celebrations along Easton Road
A small commercial corridor along Easton Road passes through Roslyn, putting a handful of restaurants, convenience stores and a Giant grocery store within walking distance of some homes. More chain restaurants and supermarkets, such as Target and Trader Joe’s, line Old York Road to the east, while Willow Grove Park Mall is less than a mile north. “Roslyn is very residential, but it’s within 5 minutes of everything. Willow Grove Park Mall alone has three levels of shopping, and a new video arcade called Tilted 10 just opened,” Rappaport says. About 2 miles south of Roslyn is Keswick Village, a small cluster of local shops and eateries surrounding this historic Keswick Theatre, a popular venue for live performances.
Once a year, Easton Road shuts down for the Roslyn Fall Festival and Car Show, which has been ongoing for more than two decades. The event is popular with families for its free kid-friendly activities and carnival games, and for the array of local food and artisan vendors that line the streets.
Reach Philadelphia by rail or via Interstate 276
Roslyn is sandwiched between two major thoroughfares: Old York Road and Interstate 276, locally referred to as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Philadelphia is about 15 miles south, although it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get into the city, depending on traffic. Commuters can also hop on the SEPTA Warminster Line at Crestmont Train Station to catch a ride downtown. Roslyn itself is both walkable and bikeable, with parks, schools and some businesses within walking distance of many homes.
Crime statistics trending upward and four temperate seasons
According to FBI statistics, violent crime across Abington Township rose by about 18% from 2018 to 2023. Across the same five-year span, property crime also increased by roughly 44%.
Roslyn experiences four seasons, though heavy rainfall can pose a risk of minor flooding along Sandy Run. However, there is little threat to most residential properties.
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
