If you commute into or around Philadelphia, choosing a suburb is about more than square footage or a bigger backyard. Your daily routine can look very different depending on whether you can walk to Regional Rail, need to drive to a station, or rely mostly on roads and bus connections. This guide will help you compare a few popular suburban options through a commuter lens, so you can focus on what makes life feel easier from door to desk and back home. Let’s dive in.
Start With Your Real Commute
Many buyers begin with a simple question: “How long is the commute?” That matters, but it is not the whole story. A better question is how predictable and convenient your routine will feel every weekday.
In the Philadelphia suburbs, commuters often compare four practical factors: direct Regional Rail access, the last mile from home to the station, parking availability and cost, and how much walkability they are willing to trade for more space. Looking at those details can help you avoid choosing a place that seems right on paper but feels frustrating in real life.
Compare What Matters Most
Before you fall in love with a house, it helps to know what kind of commuter setup fits your life best. Some buyers want a one-seat rail ride to Center City. Others want flexibility, with rail, bus, and highway access all in play.
A useful way to think about the area is this: Glenside and Hatboro emphasize walkability and rail convenience, Abington emphasizes options, and Horsham emphasizes road access. That is not a formal ranking, but it is a practical way to compare how each area may fit your daily routine.
Abington Offers More Commute Options
For many Philadelphia-area buyers, Abington stands out because it gives you multiple ways to get where you need to go. According to Abington Township, the township has seven train stations on three Regional Rail lines, along with several SEPTA bus routes and access to I-276, PA 611, PA 309, and PA 232.
That mix can be especially helpful if your work schedule changes, if you split time between Center City and the suburbs, or if more than one person in your household commutes in a different direction. Abington also notes that Center City is less than a half-hour away by train from the township, which makes it appealing for buyers who want access without being fully dependent on a car.
Why Location Within Abington Matters
Abington is a broad township, so the township name alone does not tell you how easy your commute will be. Two homes in the same township can offer very different daily routines depending on how close they are to a station, bus route, or major road.
If you are considering Abington, focus on the exact property location. A home near the right station or highway connection may feel much more convenient than one that technically shares the same mailing area but adds extra driving time every morning.
Hatboro Blends Rail and Borough Living
If you want a classic borough setting with a train stop and a defined town center, Hatboro is worth a close look. Current SEPTA Warminster Line schedules list Hatboro Station at 40 S. Penn St. and show parking available.
Hatboro also benefits from local parking management that supports both commuters and everyday errands. The borough highlights downtown investment, and Hatboro Police notes that municipal lots within walking distance of York Road include commuter parking at $1 for 24 hours in some lots, as outlined in its parking information.
What Makes Hatboro Practical
Hatboro works well when you want your commute tied to a walkable center rather than a strictly drive-oriented setup. The train station, municipal parking, and downtown layout can make daily life feel simpler if you like combining commuting with errands or local stops.
When touring homes here, pay close attention to how far the house is from the station and from York Road. That distance can shape whether the home truly supports an easy routine or simply gives you access if you are willing to work a little harder for it.
Glenside Connects Walkability and Transit
For buyers who care about being close to both transit and everyday conveniences, Glenside is one of the clearest examples in the area. Current SEPTA Regional Rail schedules for Glenside Station show the station at 49 W. Glenside Ave., with parking available and bus connections to Routes 22 and 77.
SEPTA also notes that the Glenside Farmers Market is directly at Glenside Station on the Lansdale/Doylestown and Warminster lines. In addition, Cheltenham Township’s planning work identifies the commercial district around Easton Road and Glenside Avenue and has studied future station-area parking improvements.
Why Buyers Look Closely at Glenside
Glenside often appeals to buyers who are comfortable trading some extra yard space or easier private parking for better access to shops, services, and the station area. The draw here is not just the train. It is the chance to tie more of your daily routine to one connected area.
If that lifestyle appeals to you, test it in person. Walk from the house to the station, notice how the commercial district fits into the route, and pay attention to whether parking pressure feels manageable for your household.
Horsham Favors Drivers and Hybrid Commuters
Not every commuter wants or needs to live near Regional Rail. If your work is in an office park, if you drive most days, or if your routine is more suburban and less Center City-focused, Horsham may fit better.
SEPTA currently shows Route 80 as an express service between Horsham and Olney Transit Center, while Route 310 begins at Willow Grove Station and serves Horsham business centers. Route 55 also includes a Horsham stop at Easton and Blair Mill Roads. According to the Horsham Township Public Works Department, the township covers about 17 square miles and includes 92.9 miles of township roads.
What the Horsham Trade-Off Looks Like
That road network helps explain why Horsham often feels more driving-oriented than rail-oriented. For some buyers, that is a plus. You may prefer a setting that feels easier for cars, parking, and suburban travel patterns.
The trade-off is convenience to Regional Rail. If a one-seat train ride is your top priority, Horsham may feel less direct than the other areas in this comparison. But if you want a more road-based routine, it can be a strong match.
Parking and Fares Matter More Than You Think
A short drive to the station may sound easy until you add in parking fees, a full lot, or an early arrival time. According to SEPTA parking information, daily-use parking fees are required at most Regional Rail station lots and garages, with $2 per day for surface lots and $4 per day for garages. SEPTA also notes that lots can fill as early as 7:30 a.m. on weekdays.
That means station access is not just about distance. You also need to know whether the parking is SEPTA-owned or municipal, what it costs, and whether space will still be available when you normally leave home.
Regional Rail fares also vary. SEPTA says fares are zone-based and depend on your origin, destination, day, time, and payment method, so it is smart to check those details before you decide that one suburb is automatically the cheaper option.
Use SEPTA Tools While House Hunting
When you are actively touring homes, commute planning should become part of the showing process. SEPTA recommends using its Trip Planner and service tools to review route options, travel time, return-trip details, and alerts or advisories.
That can help you test a property the same way you would actually live in it. Instead of asking whether a station is “nearby,” you can check how long the trip really takes and whether the return home works as smoothly as the ride in.
Match the Suburb to Your Commute Style
The right suburb often depends on the type of commuter you are. A few broad profiles can make the comparison easier.
Center City Rail Commuter
If your priority is direct Regional Rail access into Center City, Hatboro and Glenside are strong places to compare. Both offer direct rail access and station parking, while Glenside also adds bus connections and a station-centered commercial area.
Multi-Option Commuter
If you want flexibility because your work pattern changes or your household needs more than one commute setup, Abington offers the broadest range of choices. Multiple stations, lines, bus routes, and highway access can give you more ways to adapt.
Office-Park or Hybrid Commuter
If you mainly drive, commute to business centers, or work on a hybrid schedule, Horsham may be the more practical fit. Its current transit pattern and road network support a commute that is more car-based than rail-based.
Tour Homes With the Commute in Mind
One of the best things you can do during your search is test the routine, not just the house. A beautiful property can lose some of its appeal if the commute feels inconvenient every single day.
As you tour, try these steps:
- Walk from the front door to the station if rail access matters.
- Drive the route at the time you would normally leave for work.
- Check station or municipal parking on a weekday morning.
- Look at the last mile from the station back to home.
- Notice whether errands, pickups, or return trips fit naturally into the route.
- Ask whether the commute still works if schedules shift or service changes.
The goal is not to find the suburb with the shortest abstract travel time. It is to find the place where the full routine feels steady, realistic, and manageable for your life.
Choosing the Right Fit for You
For Philadelphia commuters, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some buyers will gladly trade a little space for station access and walkability. Others want more flexibility, more road access, or a setup that works better for driving most days.
What matters most is how the home, the neighborhood layout, and the transportation options work together. If you compare suburbs through that lens, you are much more likely to choose a place that feels right long after move-in day.
If you want help narrowing down the best suburban fit for your commute, your budget, and your move timeline, connect with Art Herling Team In Blue Bell. You will get local guidance, clear next steps, and support that helps make your move feel more organized from start to finish.
FAQs
What should Philadelphia commuters compare when choosing a suburb?
- You should compare direct Regional Rail access, the distance from the home to the station, parking cost and availability, and how much walkability you want versus a more car-oriented setup.
Is Abington a good choice for Philadelphia-area commuters?
- Abington can be a strong fit if you want multiple commute options because it offers several train stations, bus routes, and access to major roads.
Is Hatboro good for commuters who want a walkable downtown?
- Hatboro may work well if you want a borough setting with a train station, downtown access, and municipal parking options that support both commuting and errands.
Why do some buyers choose Glenside for commuting?
- Buyers often look at Glenside when they want rail access tied closely to station-area retail, bus connections, and a more walkable day-to-day routine.
Is Horsham better for drivers than train commuters?
- Horsham is generally more road- and bus-oriented, which can make it a better match for drivers or hybrid commuters than for buyers who want to live close to Regional Rail.
How can you test a suburban commute before buying a home?
- You can walk the route to the station, drive the commute at your usual time, check parking on a weekday morning, and use SEPTA trip-planning tools to review travel times and alerts.
