Where Downsizers Are Moving and Why

Sales of single-story homes to buyers aged 55 and older rose 28 percent in Ardmore and Swarthmore during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year.

The trend reflects older homeowners exiting high-rise condos where monthly fees have climbed above $900 while property taxes in core neighborhoods keep rising. Many want fewer stairs, lower upkeep and a shorter drive to grandchildren still living inside the city limits.

Ardmore along Lancaster Avenue has drawn the largest share of these buyers. The neighborhood sits 12 minutes from 30th Street Station on the Paoli/Thorndale SEPTA line, and the Ardmore Initiative has spent the past three years adding wider sidewalks and new benches that make errands easier without a car. Swarthmore, anchored by the Swarthmore Co-op on Dartmouth Avenue, appeals to a similar group because of its compact downtown and direct connection to the Media/Elwyn line.

Price trends and buyer profiles

Median sale prices for ranch-style and twin homes in Ardmore reached $712,000 through June 2026, according to figures released last week by the Philadelphia Metropolitan Association of Realtors. That compares with $589,000 in the second quarter of 2024. In Swarthmore the same category averaged $685,000, up 19 percent over two years. Listings under $650,000 now receive multiple offers within 10 days when they sit on one floor and include a small yard.

Most purchasers arrive from Rittenhouse Square or Logan Square. They cite the ability to keep season tickets at the Kimmel Center while avoiding the daily cost of garage parking that now exceeds $400 a month in those zip codes. Several recent buyers also mentioned the short hop on SEPTA to the Please Touch Museum when grandchildren visit.

What to watch next

Inventory of suitable homes remains tight, with fewer than 40 single-story properties listed across both suburbs as of July 9. Prospective buyers should check the Philadelphia MLS for new ranch listings on Monday mornings and schedule inspections quickly. Local agents recommend touring during weekday afternoons to avoid weekend crowds and to test SEPTA schedules at off-peak hours.