Moving from Philadelphia to the suburbs can be an exciting new chapter. Whether you’re looking for more living space, a backyard, a different commute, or a quieter neighborhood, relocating outside the city comes with important decisions and logistical considerations.
From Montgomery County and Delaware County to Bucks County and Chester County, the Philadelphia suburbs offer a wide variety of communities and housing options. However, moving from a city apartment or rowhome into a suburban property requires careful preparation.
Here are some important things to know before making your move.
Choose the Right Philadelphia Suburb for Your Lifestyle
Before scheduling your move, consider which suburban community best fits your needs, budget, and daily routine.
Montgomery County
Popular communities such as Conshohocken, King of Prussia, Ardmore, and Blue Bell offer a mix of apartments, townhomes, and single-family residences. Consider proximity to major highways, SEPTA Regional Rail, and your workplace when comparing locations.
Delaware County
Media, Springfield, Havertown, and Newtown Square offer a range of residential neighborhoods. Many communities provide access to regional transportation routes while remaining within commuting distance of Philadelphia.
Bucks County
Doylestown, Newtown, Yardley, and Langhorne attract residents seeking suburban neighborhoods, shopping, parks, and recreational opportunities. Travel times and transportation options vary considerably throughout the county.
Chester County
West Chester, Exton, Malvern, and Downingtown offer everything from townhomes to larger residential properties. If you’re considering Chester County, evaluate commuting distances and accessibility before choosing your new home.
Plan Your Move From Philadelphia Early
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners and renters make is waiting too long to organize their relocation.
While a move to the suburbs may involve a relatively short distance, scheduling movers, coordinating parking, and preparing your belongings still require advance planning.
For most residential moves, beginning preparations four to six weeks ahead is a practical guideline. During busy moving periods, additional lead time is recommended.
Broad Street Movers provides professional Philadelphia moving services for customers relocating throughout the city and surrounding counties.
Prepare for Different Moving-Day Logistics
Moving from Philadelphia to the suburbs often means navigating two very different environments.
Leaving Your Philadelphia Home
City moves can involve narrow streets, limited truck parking, multiple flights of stairs, elevators, and restricted loading areas.
If you’re moving from Center City, Fishtown, South Philadelphia, Northern Liberties, or Manayunk, discuss these challenges with your moving company beforehand.
You may also need to arrange temporary parking restrictions or coordinate moving hours with your building.
Arriving at Your Suburban Home
Suburban properties may offer driveways and more convenient truck access, but that doesn’t eliminate potential obstacles.
Consider narrow driveways, steep entrances, long walkways, basement stairs, and oversized furniture that must navigate tight doorways.
Providing your movers with information about both properties helps them prepare appropriate equipment and staffing.
Declutter Before Moving Into Your New Home
Moving into a larger suburban home doesn’t necessarily mean you should bring everything from your Philadelphia residence.
Before packing, evaluate furniture, appliances, clothing, and household belongings to determine what you actually need.
Measure larger items to confirm they’ll fit through doorways and into their intended rooms.
If you’re replacing furniture or getting rid of unwanted belongings, Broad Street Movers offers junk removal and furniture disposal services that can help simplify your relocation.
Consider Professional Packing Services
Packing an entire household can be time-consuming, particularly when you’re coordinating a home purchase, lease transition, work responsibilities, and family schedules.
Professional packing services can help protect fragile belongings, organize boxes, and prepare furniture for transportation.
Label boxes by room and keep essentials such as medications, chargers, important documents, and basic household supplies accessible during the move.
Remember to Update Your Address and Utilities
Before moving day, notify important organizations of your new address, including banks, insurance providers, employers, and subscription services.
Arrange utility transfers or new service installations for electricity, gas, water, and internet. Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration as required, and confirm school enrollment arrangements if applicable.
Taking care of these details early makes settling into your new community easier.
Make Your Move to the Philadelphia Suburbs With Broad Street Movers
Since 2008, Broad Street Movers has helped Philadelphia residents relocate throughout the city and surrounding region, completing more than 20,000 moves.
Whether you’re moving from a Center City apartment to Conshohocken, a South Philadelphia rowhome to Media, or a Philadelphia condominium to Bucks or Chester County, our experienced moving crews understand the logistics involved.
Ready to trade city living for suburban life?
Explore our professional Moving Services in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs and let Broad Street Movers help you plan an organized, efficient relocation.
Request your personalized moving quote and start preparing for your next chapter.