Philadelphia Suburb Drops to Third in America’s Best Places to Live, Falls from First Place

After holding the top spot for four years running the Philadelphia suburb, Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania has landed at third on Niche's 2025 Best Places to Live list. Two new entries - Colonial Village in Arlington, Virginia and Atlanta's Atlantic Station - took the lead spots.

This cozy Chester County community of 5,500 residents still holds onto its title as America's best suburb. Its A+ rating comes from excellent schools, high-quality healthcare, and great local amenities.

Home prices in the area have jumped considerably. The typical house now goes for about $432,000 - jumping $81,800 since just two years ago.

The community's gem, Conestoga Senior High School, ranks fourth in Pennsylvania. U.S. News rates it among the country's top 300 schools - a major draw for families moving to the area.

"Where you live impacts every aspect of your life, from career opportunities to a sense of community," said Luke Skurman, CEO of Niche, to NBC Philadelphia.

Several other Philadelphia-area locations made the cut. Ardmore landed at number 11, while Penn Wynne came in at 13.

The rankings combine data from major sources like the Census, FBI, employment figures, and health statistics. Each location gets rated on key factors - from safety to job availability.

Resident reviews play a big part too. Thousands of people share their firsthand experiences living in these communities, adding real perspective to the statistics.

Skurman says these rankings help people find places that match their priorities - whether that's quality education, affordable housing, or outdoor activities.