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Renting an Apartment in Bala Cynwyd
Bala Cynwyd is a village in Lower Merion Township which is located in
the Main Line in southeastern Pennsylvania, bordering the western edge
of Philadelphia. It was originally two separate towns, Bala and Cynwyd,
but is commonly treated as a single community. This came about when a
single US Post Office was constructed to service both towns (The "Bala
Cynwyd" Branch). Bala and Cynwyd are still served by separate stations
on SEPTA's R6 Regional Rail line.
Bala Cynwyd lies in the Welsh Tract of Pennsylvania, and was settled in
the 1680s by Welsh Quaker settlers, who named it after the Welsh town of
Bala and the Welsh village of Cynwyd. The American "Cynwyd" is, however,
now pronounced /'kɪnwɪd/ ("kinwid"), not /'kənwɪd/ as it would be in
Welsh. It is often pronounced locally as /'kɪnwʊd/ ("kinwood").
Bala Cynwyd's major feature is the Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center, which
borders Philadelphia on City Avenue (locally referred to as "City Line
Avenue"). The major stores here are Lord & Taylor, Acme Markets and LA
Fitness, with Saks Fifth Avenue located a block to the East. Another
major shopping area extends on Montgomery Avenue, bordering on the
community of Narberth, the eastern beginnings of the historic Main Line.
It serves as the home of the studios for WCAU, located on City Avenue
near I-76. The studios for rival WPVI-TV are across the street, but
within the City of Philadelphia itself. Bala Cynwyd is also the home of
several major broadcast AM and FM stations, including
CBS Radio's WOGL-FM, WIP-AM and WPHT-AM located on the seventh floor of
Two Bala Plaza and Greater Media's WBEN-FM, WJJZ-FM, WMGK-FM, WMMR-FM
and WPEN which are housed on the fourth floor of One Bala Plaza. Clear
Channel Radio's WDAS, WUSL, WRFF, WISX, and WIOQ FM stations are located
on Presidential Boulevard in the village, as is independently owned WBEB.
Beasley Broadcasting's WXTU, WRDW and WWDB are on the third floor of the
"555 Building".
While Bala Cynwyd has drawn a very large number of Modern Orthodox Jews
who have established a network of synagogues, there are churches
representing many religions. The town is essentially a mixed residential
community with mostly single homes, and is located directly across City
Avenue from the City of Philadelphia.
The Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd, established in 1906, works to
preserve the residential character of the neighborhood and promote civic
welfare and community spirit. It sponsors an annual Independence Day
celebration on July 4th which begins in front of the Union Fire
Association and ends at the Bala Cynwyd Playground. The parade features
neighborhood children riding decorated bicycles, marchers in costumes,
clowns, floats, fire trucks, police, and public officials.
Birthplace of legendary amateur ice hockey player Hobey Baker.
Among the claimants for First Boy Scout Troop in the United States is
Troop 1 in Bala Cynwyd.
The French International School, located on N. Highland Ave., is home to
approximately 35 fifth to eighth graders being taught in both French and
English.
Places of interest
* West Laurel Hill Cemetery