Why I Love Living (and Working) in Fort Washington + Montgomery County, and Why You Might, Too

It’s a cold day in Pennsylvania as I’m writing this, the kind of day where you realize you turned your office heat down a little too far and immediately regret it. But even while I’m warming back up, I’m already thinking about what’s ahead: those first 50-degree days, longer evenings, and the return of all the places that make life here feel… easy.

Because real estate isn’t just about bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s about what your life looks like between the walls, where you grab coffee, where you walk the dog, where your kids burn off energy on a Saturday morning, where you meet friends for dinner, and how quickly you can get to the places you love.

That’s one of the reasons I chose to live in Fort Washington. I’m in Montgomery County, but I’m constantly in Philadelphia too, Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy especially, because my son goes to school in the city and I do a lot of real estate work there. I love that I get the best of both worlds: neighborhood life and quick access to Center City.

Location That Actually Makes Life Easier

One of the biggest advantages of this area is proximity.

From Fort Washington, I can get into Philadelphia quickly, by car or by train (Fort Washington and Ambler stations make it simple if you want to avoid driving). And if you travel, this is a surprisingly strategic place to live. New York City is very doable, DC is within reach, and even flying out of Newark can be a smart move depending on the flights, you can drive to Hamilton Station, park for less, and hop on Jersey Transit.

When people ask me why so many buyers love this area, that’s a big part of it: you’re not “stuck” in one bubble. You have options.

A Community That Fits Your Lifestyle

When clients are deciding where to move, I always tell them to think beyond the house. Ask:

• What do you like to do on weekends?
• Where do you want to work out?
• Where do you meet people?
• What kind of community do you want to be part of?

For me, running is a huge part of my life. That means sidewalks matter. Safety matters. And community matters. Montgomery County has running groups like Ambler Running Club and Women Run Montco, and those groups become more than exercise. They become friendships. They’re the kind of thing that makes you excited to leave your house… even on cold mornings.

And if running isn’t your thing, you still have endless options here: yoga studios, barre, CrossFit, boutique fitness, and big gyms like Life Time (which, honestly, was a lifesaver when my kids were younger, child care, pool, classes, sauna… it’s a whole ecosystem).

Coffee Shops Worth Leaving the House For

If you know me, you know I love a good coffee run. One cup at home, one cup out in the world, that’s the rhythm.

Some of my favorites:

• Night Kitchen (Chestnut Hill), I don’t even go for coffee. I go for their vanilla chai latte and the cheese scones.
• Baker Street (Chestnut Hill), amazing coffee and that famous Danish everyone points at because the name feels too fancy to pronounce.
• Char & Stave (Chestnut Hill), coffee + whiskey with a cool retro vibe. Great place to work or meet someone.
• Wake Coffee (Ambler / Flourtown), my current obsession for breakfast sandwiches (brioche + aioli… enough said).
• Backyard Beans (Ambler / Lansdale), great coffee, breakfast, and bags of beans to take home.

Food Spots That Make This Area Feel Like Home

We could do an entire separate episode just on restaurants, but if you want a quick “where should we go?” shortlist, here are a few that come up again and again:

• Liberty Kitchen (Chestnut Hill Farmers Market), the hoagies are massive and ridiculously good. This is a “one hoagie feeds two people” situation.
• Adelina’s (Chestnut Hill), date-night Italian. Not the place I’d bring little kids… unless you like living dangerously.
• El Poquito (Chestnut Hill), great for families, great outdoor vibe, and a reliable go-to.
• Cantina Feliz (Ambler), a favorite for good reason.
• Gypsy Blu (Ambler), cocktails with friends in a fun atmosphere.
• The Fort (Fort Washington), always busy, great energy, solid food, and a good spot to meet people.
• Copper Crow (Fort Washington area), more elevated than you might expect.
• Blue Bell Inn (Blue Bell), brunch or special occasions done right.
• Ambler Yards (Ambler), brewery vibes, great for events, and a fun “hidden gem” feel.

And if you want a fun little local detail: Chestnut Hill has an old-school candy shop tucked into an alley where you can find everything from nostalgic classics to… yes… chocolate-covered gummy bears.

Grocery Shopping Here Is Next-Level

This might sound funny, but grocery options are a quality-of-life feature, and this area has them.

• Weaver’s Way (multiple locations), great grab-and-go food and local favorites.
• Trader Joe’s, the place where everyone is inexplicably happy and your cart somehow costs less than everywhere else.
• Sprouts, great for vitamins, fun drinks, and those “I saw this on Instagram” health finds.
• Mom’s Organic Market, a favorite for clean eating and organic options.
• H Mart (Cheltenham), if you like produce and discovering foods you’ve never seen before, go. It’s a whole experience (and the prepared food upstairs is worth the trip).

Outdoors, Parks, and “We Live Here Because of This” Places

When spring hits, this region comes alive.

Some of the best outdoor spots:

• Wissahickon Valley Park / Forbidden Drive, you genuinely forget you’re in a city. Trees, trails, water, wildlife… it’s one of my favorite places in the entire area.
• The 202 Parkway Trail, beautiful, rolling, and great for long runs or biking.
• Schuylkill River Trail, iconic for a reason.
• Valley Forge, trails, history, and wide open space.

And if you have kids? You have options everywhere:

• Elmwood Park Zoo (Norristown), a fantastic small zoo (and yes, there are ways to get passes through local libraries).
• Philadelphia Zoo
• Please Touch Museum, absolute magic for the little ones.

City Access Without City Stress

One thing I’m seeing more of lately: people moving back toward Center City. Not just young buyers, everyone. First-time homebuyers, downsizers, retirees… people who want walkability, restaurants, events, and energy.

And when you live in our area, you don’t have to choose one lifestyle. You can have the quieter neighborhood feel and be close to the action, sports arenas, concerts, restaurants, seasonal events, and all the city traditions (from skating at Dilworth Park to weekends in Fishtown).

The Bottom Line

When people say “location, location, location,” this is what they mean.

It’s not just a zip code. It’s a lifestyle. It’s the ability to live close to what matters to you, whether that’s trails, coffee shops, a great school district, a quick train ride into the city, or a neighborhood where you feel like you belong.

If you’re thinking about moving into Fort Washington, Ambler, Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, or anywhere in Montgomery County or Philadelphia, I’d love to help you find your spot. The one that fits how you actually live.

Because the goal isn’t just to buy a house.

It’s to build a life you love inside it.

, Tabitha Heit