Cities / Pennsylvania / Lower Merion
It depends on the neighborhood. Of the 18 Lower Merion neighborhoods we score (average 93/100), 18 are comfortable to walk around with normal awareness. Green means comfortable on foot; red means we would not walk it casually.
What makes up this score?City average
93
Go
Neighborhoods scored
18
18 comfortable to walk
Score mix
- Go: 18
- Go, stay aware: 0
- Caution: 0
- No-go after dark: 0
Top 10 safest neighborhoods in Lower Merion
- 1Penn Valley (Lower Merion)Lower MerionPenn Valley is an upscale residential community within Lower Merion Township characterized by mature trees, large single-family estates, and top-tier…96Go
- 2GladwyneLower MerionGladwyne is an exclusive, historic suburb located on Philadelphia's prestigious Main Line within Lower Merion Township. It features rolling wooded…96Go
- 3VillanovaLower MerionVillanova is a prestigious suburban enclave straddling Lower Merion and Radnor Townships along Philadelphia's historic Main Line. Defined by lush…94Go
- 4HaverfordLower MerionHaverford is an idyllic, historic Main Line suburb characterized by century-old stone estates, pristine landscaping, and quiet residential lanes…94Go
- 5MerionLower MerionMerion is an upscale suburban neighborhood in Lower Merion Township renowned for its historic stone architecture, mature arboretums, and quiet…94Go
- 6Rosemont (Lower Merion)Lower MerionSituated along Philadelphia's historic Main Line, Rosemont offers a serene suburban environment steeped in collegiate charm, anchored by Rosemont…94Go
- 7Hollow WoodsLower MerionHollow Woods is a secluded, lush residential neighborhood characterized by sprawling single-family homes, mature tree canopies, and historic stone…94Go
- 8Wynnewood (Lower Merion)Lower MerionWynnewood is a scenic, wealthy residential suburb located in Lower Merion Township, characterized by stone historic homes, mature tree canopies, and…93Go
- 9Penn WynneLower MerionPenn Wynne is a picturesque, tree-lined suburban neighborhood known for its historic stone Tudor homes, strong community feel, and excellent parks…93Go
- 10RoseglenLower MerionRoseglen is a quiet, heavily wooded neighborhood in Lower Merion characterized by upscale single-family estates, historic stone homes, and lush creek…93Go
Use more caution: 10 lowest-scoring areas
- 1Bala CynwydLower Merion89Go
- 2Wynnebrook ManorLower Merion90Go
- 3BalaLower Merion90Go
- 4ShortridgeLower Merion92Go
- 5Bryn Mawr (Lower Merion)Lower Merion92Go
- 6Hamilton CourtLower Merion92Go
- 7Belmont Hills (Lower Merion)Lower Merion92Go
- 8Indian Creek (Lower Merion)Lower Merion93Go
- 9RoseglenLower Merion93Go
- 10Penn WynneLower Merion93Go
Best things to do in Lower Merion
- Tour the historic campus and collegiate gothic architecture of the St. Thomas of Villanova Church
- Catch a college basketball game or athletic event at the Finneran Pavilion
- Explore the nearby Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden public botanical garden in adjacent Villanova/Radnor
- Walk the scenic 216-acre Haverford College Arboretum and nature trail loop.
- Explore upscale boutiques, bakeries, and dining spots along the Lancaster Avenue corridor.
- Admire the historic architecture surrounding the 1865 Merion Cricket Club campus.
- Stroll along the wooded walking trails and creek paths at Shortridge Memorial Park
- Browse local shops and gourmet grocers at the Wynnewood Shopping Center
Getting around Lower Merion
Transit
- SEPTA Regional Rail's Paoli/Thorndale Line serves nearby Narberth and Wynnewood stations about 1 to 2 miles away, while SEPTA Bus Route 44 runs along Montgomery Avenue.
- Public transit is very limited; SEPTA operates Bus Route 44 through the area connecting directly to Center City Philadelphia. The nearest Regional Rail stations (Paoli/Thorndale Line in Bryn Mawr or Rosemont) are roughly a 5-to-10-minute drive away.
- SEPTA operates the Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail line stopping directly at Villanova Station, providing roughly 30-minute access to Center City Philadelphia, as well as the Norristown High Speed Line (Villanova and Stadium stations) and SEPTA Bus Route 106 along Lancaster Avenue.
Biking & trails
- There is no municipal bike-share system here; cyclists frequently use local roads to connect to the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and Schuylkill River Trail network.
- There is no bike-share program available in Lower Merion. While road cyclists frequently use Gladwyne's scenic roads, narrow lanes with blind curves and no bike infrastructure demand experience and vigilance.
Parking
- Driveway parking dominates the neighborhood; street parking on residential roads is generally free and easy where permitted by local township signage.
- Parking is ample and free, with dedicated surface lots at parks and village businesses alongside private residential driveways. There are no metered spots or parking garages in the area.
Recent news
All Lower Merion neighborhoods by safety score
Showing 18 of 18
- GladwyneLower MerionGladwyne is an exclusive, historic suburb located on Philadelphia's prestigious Main Line within Lower Merion Township. It features rolling wooded…96Go
- Penn Valley (Lower Merion)Lower MerionPenn Valley is an upscale residential community within Lower Merion Township characterized by mature trees, large single-family estates, and top-tier…96Go
- HaverfordLower MerionHaverford is an idyllic, historic Main Line suburb characterized by century-old stone estates, pristine landscaping, and quiet residential lanes…94Go
- Hollow WoodsLower MerionHollow Woods is a secluded, lush residential neighborhood characterized by sprawling single-family homes, mature tree canopies, and historic stone…94Go
- MerionLower MerionMerion is an upscale suburban neighborhood in Lower Merion Township renowned for its historic stone architecture, mature arboretums, and quiet…94Go
- Rosemont (Lower Merion)Lower MerionSituated along Philadelphia's historic Main Line, Rosemont offers a serene suburban environment steeped in collegiate charm, anchored by Rosemont…94Go
- VillanovaLower MerionVillanova is a prestigious suburban enclave straddling Lower Merion and Radnor Townships along Philadelphia's historic Main Line. Defined by lush…94Go
- Indian Creek (Lower Merion)Lower MerionIndian Creek is a tranquil residential neighborhood nestled in Lower Merion Township along the Philadelphia Main Line. It features spacious…93Go
- Penn WynneLower MerionPenn Wynne is a picturesque, tree-lined suburban neighborhood known for its historic stone Tudor homes, strong community feel, and excellent parks…93Go
- RoseglenLower MerionRoseglen is a quiet, heavily wooded neighborhood in Lower Merion characterized by upscale single-family estates, historic stone homes, and lush creek…93Go
- Wynnewood (Lower Merion)Lower MerionWynnewood is a scenic, wealthy residential suburb located in Lower Merion Township, characterized by stone historic homes, mature tree canopies, and…93Go
- Belmont Hills (Lower Merion)Lower MerionPerched on the bluffs overlooking the Schuylkill River and Manayunk, Belmont Hills is a peaceful, tight-knit residential neighborhood characterized…92Go
- Bryn Mawr (Lower Merion)Lower MerionBryn Mawr is a picturesque, collegiate Main Line suburb spanning parts of Lower Merion Township, anchored by Bryn Mawr College and Bryn Mawr…92Go
- Hamilton CourtLower MerionHamilton Court is a serene, picturesque residential enclave in Lower Merion Township featuring historic stone architecture and lush tree-lined…92Go
- ShortridgeLower MerionShortridge is a leafy, residential neighborhood within Lower Merion Township, centered around the charming Shortridge Memorial Park. Characterized by…92Go
- BalaLower MerionBala forms the historic eastern anchor of Philadelphia's Main Line, characterized by stone homes, tree-lined avenues, and active neighborhood…90Go
- Wynnebrook ManorLower MerionWynnebrook Manor is a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood situated within Lower Merion Township, offering classic stone suburban homes and lush green…90Go
- Bala CynwydLower MerionBala Cynwyd is an upscale, historic community located in Lower Merion Township just across City Avenue from Philadelphia. It blends tranquil…89Go
Lower Merion safety questions
What is the safest neighborhood in Lower Merion?
Penn Valley (Lower Merion) scores highest at 96/100, followed by Gladwyne (96) and Villanova (94).
Is Lower Merion safe to walk at night?
In the 18 green-rated areas, generally yes with normal awareness. None of the areas we score are rated orange or red.
Which Lower Merion areas should visitors be careful in?
No area in our list falls below the yellow band.
How does VibeLoco score Lower Merion neighborhoods?
Each score blends recent reported crime and local news with Census data on income, poverty and housing, refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately.