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Swarthmore, Pennsylvania is a small, leafy borough in Delaware County, about eleven miles southwest of Philadelphia, built around Swarthmore College and the historic train line connecting it to the city. The college, founded in 1864 by Quakers, shapes the whole feel of the place: its campus doubles as the Scott Arboretum, so the grounds form a registered public garden of trees and walking paths flowing right into the borough. Swarthmore is a classic walkable railroad suburb, with a compact downtown of independent shops and a library near the train station. It's quiet and residential by design, trading nightlife for tree-lined streets and historic houses. The hook is the connection: SEPTA Regional Rail puts Center City Philadelphia about half an hour away.
The prime spot, steps from campus, the shops, the library, and the Regional Rail line into Philadelphia.
Quiet, tree-lined living in historic houses and converted apartments, ideal for students who want green calm within a short walk of class.
Toward the Crum Woods and Crum Creek, you get an even more wooded, peaceful setting.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Swarthmore.
The centerpiece is SEPTA Regional Rail, whose Media/Wawa Line stops at Swarthmore station right between downtown and the college, putting Center City Philadelphia about thirty minutes away by train. That makes car-free city trips simple, whether for internships, weekends, or airport connections. SEPTA bus routes through Delaware County extend your reach to towns like Media, the county seat.
The borough is compact: campus, the small downtown, and the train station all sit within an easy walk, and Swarthmore College's grounds flow directly into town. Within the borough and to neighboring towns, walking and biking handle most needs on the quiet, leafy streets. The walkable layout makes a car optional for daily life.
A car is rarely necessary given the train link and compact borough. Parking is straightforward compared to the city, but most students lean on Regional Rail instead. Reserve a vehicle for trips the train and buses don't cover.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Swarthmore is a small, leafy suburb, and rentals reflect that, with one-bedroom apartments in the borough often running around $1,500 to $1,650 per month and houses higher. Many students share to bring their individual share down, and looking toward nearby Media up the rail line can open more options at a wider range.
Browse student housing near each Swarthmore-area university.