Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Lovely Swarthmore, home to one of the country’s most selective liberal arts colleges, Swarthmore College, is 10 miles southwest of Philadelphia in southeastern Pennsylvania. It became a commuter suburb when Philadelphia passenger rail service reached it in the 1880s.

Although the college only has 1,650 students, it exerts its influence and gives Swarthmore a definite but understated academic vibe. The downtown is small with donut shops, hair salons, pizza places and more in buildings featuring Tudor architecture. The food co-op is especially popular, and the Saturday farmers’ market every May through November receives rave reviews.

The 300-acre Scott Arboretum is on college grounds and exhibits thousands of species of ornamental plants. Residents also enjoy the Lang Performing Arts Center, which houses the List Gallery and the Pearson-Hall Theatre and Cinema. The Players Club of Swarthmore stages six or more productions per season. Swarthmore has six parks, the largest of which is Little Crum Creek. Its diverse habitat includes restored wetlands.

Quiet residential streets are lined with mature trees and boast everything from ordinary raised ranch ramblers to majestic Georgians, Federals and Tutors. The Ogden House, one of the oldest homes in town, was built in 1736.

Swarthmore College is not known as a party school and has eliminated its football team and closed its frat houses.