Best Towns in Montgomery County, PA for Families in 2026
If you are thinking about moving to Montgomery County with your family, the real question is not “What’s the single best town?” but “Which towns actually fit our budget, commute, and day‑to‑day life?” Montgomery County has many excellent options for families, but the right one depends on how you live, not just on rankings.
The short answer: Montgomery County offers strong schools, family‑friendly neighborhoods, walkable town centers, and classic suburbs with more space. Different town “types” tend to work well for different kinds of families.
What Families Usually Care About Most
Most buyers with kids—or plans for kids—end up prioritizing a similar set of basics:
Good schools and stable, well‑funded districts.
Safe, community‑oriented neighborhoods where kids can play and ride bikes.
Parks, playgrounds, libraries, and activities for kids.
Reasonable commutes for one or both parents, whether by train or car.
Homes with enough space to grow into over the next 5–10 years.
A sense of community and long‑term stability.
Montgomery County scores well on these overall—US News and multiple assessments rank the county high for health, education, and quality of life—but different towns deliver them in different ways.
Types of Towns That Work Well for Families
Instead of focusing on just one “best” town, it helps to think in terms of categories that tend to fit families at different stages and price points.
1. Walkable Town Centers with Family‑Friendly Neighborhoods
These towns offer a small‑town feel with main streets, restaurants, and parks you can actually walk to—plus train access into the city.
Examples often mentioned for families:
Ambler – Walkable downtown, Regional Rail, strong community events, and access to Wissahickon School District.
Jenkintown – Historic, highly walkable borough with great schools, a town square, and dual train stations (Jenkintown‑Wyncote and Noble).
Narberth / Ardmore (Lower Merion) – Technically on the Main Line but part of Montco’s family conversation, with extremely walkable centers, parks, and top‑rated Lower Merion schools.
These areas work well for families who want:
Walkability to coffee shops, playgrounds, and events.
The option to commute by train instead of car.
A strong sense of community in a compact area.
2. Classic Suburban Neighborhoods with More Space
These towns and townships lean more “classic suburb”: bigger lots, cul‑de‑sacs, and larger single‑family homes.
Commonly recommended for families:
Blue Bell – Highly rated for families with larger homes, strong schools, and a quieter, upscale suburban feel.
Upper Merion – Named one of the top places in the country to raise a family, with strong schools, parks, and quick access to King of Prussia and major highways.
Lower Moreland / Horsham / Fort Washington areas – Known for good schools, established neighborhoods, and more space, often with good highway access.
These work well for families who want:
More square footage, yard space, and parking.
Quieter streets and more traditional neighborhood layouts.
Easy driving access to jobs and amenities, even if walkability is limited.
3. Towns with Strong Community and Kid‑Focused Amenities
Across Montco, many towns invest heavily in parks, recreation, and community programs, which can make a big difference in everyday family life.
Things to look at when comparing towns:
Parks and trails, youth sports, and recreation centers.
Library systems, community events, and seasonal festivals.
Township websites listing rec programs, camps, and family events.
Towns like Ambler, Blue Bell, Jenkintown, Upper Merion, and others frequently show up in relocation guides and family‑focused lists because they combine amenities, schools, and community feel.
How Schools and Taxes Fit Into the Decision
For many families, schools and taxes are major pieces of the puzzle.
Rankings from sources like Niche frequently place areas such as Penn Wynne, Ardmore, Blue Bell, Narberth, Fort Washington, Lower Moreland, and Upper Merion among the top places to raise a family in Montco.
School quality, property taxes, and home prices are often linked: districts with top ratings frequently have higher home values, but not always the highest tax rates.
Pennsylvania’s property‑tax relief and local rebate programs can slightly offset costs for some homeowners, especially seniors, but families should still plan around current tax levels.
This is why you want to look at:
School district quality.
Property‑tax mill rates.
Typical home prices at your budget.
as one combined equation, not in isolation.
The Biggest Mistake Families Make
The biggest mistake is choosing a town based only on reputation or a single factor like “top schools” without weighing the rest of your life.
What really matters is:
Your daily commute and how often you go into the office.
Your budget and monthly comfort level, including taxes and utilities.
How much space you truly need vs. what you think you “should” have.
The neighborhood feel you want—busy and walkable or quiet and tucked away.
Where you will spend time on weekends and evenings with kids.
A town that is perfect for one family can feel completely wrong for another, even if both are “highly rated.”
How to Narrow This Down the Smart Way
A practical way to approach this decision is to:
Get clear on your budget and monthly comfort level. Include mortgage, taxes, and likely utilities.
Decide what matters most right now. Schools, space, commute, or walkability—rank them.
Pick 2–3 specific towns or areas that fit those priorities (for example, Ambler vs Blue Bell vs Upper Merion).
Compare specific neighborhoods and recent sales, not just town names or internet lists.
This turns a huge, emotional decision into a manageable and confident process.
Want Help Finding the Right Fit for Your Family?
If you want help narrowing down towns and neighborhoods in Montgomery County that fit your family’s lifestyle, commute, and budget, you can book a quick call with Shaina McAndrews, Realtor, and talk it through.
Already Own and Thinking About Moving Within Montco?
If you already live in Montgomery County and are considering selling to move to a different town or a different type of home, start by getting a clear idea of what your current home is worth in today’s market:
Montgomery County offers a wide range of great options for families in 2026—from walkable town centers to classic suburban neighborhoods with more space. The best town for your family is the one that fits your real life, not just a ranking or headline.
With the right guidance and a clear plan, you can find a home and community in Montco that truly support your family’s next chapter.
