Clay’s landscape blends pastoral landscapes with mountain backdrops
Clay residents wake up every morning to Lancaster County’s picturesque rural countryside, with the relaxing ambiance of sprawling farmland and the distant Appalachian Mountains. “It’s the epitome of Lancaster County,” says Susan Allison, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “The countryside is stunningly beautiful. And it’s the kind of place you can buy fresh eggs from a farm stand on the side of the road.”
Craftsman-style and classic homes sit on spacious lots in Clay
Farms surround pockets of housing developments, giving this beautiful country town a touch of suburban living. The developments were completed in the early 2000s, featuring various Craftsman-style homes with two-car garages. Other parts of Clay feature a variety of single-family homes from the mid-to-late 1900s, such as Cape Cods, colonial-style and ranch-style houses with spacious one-acre yards. The single-family homes can sell for between $330,000 and up to $500,000, or sometimes higher. Manufactured homes typically cost between about $50,000 and around $130,000.
Route 322 connects residents to local shops and farm-fresh goods
Route 322 runs through the heart of Clay, providing easy access to a few shops, restaurants and farmer’s markets. Residents can start the morning at Stonehouse Café with a latte in the restaurant’s rustic, yet chic, atmosphere. For dessert, diners can visit Fox Meadows Creamery and try the famous hand-crafted ice cream made from its on-site dairy farm with an outdoor seating area. The location also has a country market with local products. More fresh fruits, vegetables and canned goods are available at Horst Produce. Sharp Shopper Grocery Outlet has been selling discounted closeout products since 1988.
Families gather at Snyder Park for youth sports
Outdoor seekers can soak in more of the beautiful farm views at Snyder Park with a stroll along the paved walkway. Visitors can gather with friends and family to celebrate a special occasion under the pavilion beside the playground, where kids can run around and burn energy. The park is also frequently filled with loved ones cheering on children playing sports through Ephrata Youth Soccer Club and Lancaster County Youth Baseball.
Students enroll within the Ephrata Area School District
The Ephrata Area School District serves the area and earns a B-plus Niche rating. Kids can start at the B-rated Clay Elementary School and Ephrata Intermediate School. Ephrata Middle School earns a B-minus, while Ephrata Senior High School has a B-plus.
Commuters are under 20 miles from Lancaster
Lancaster is less than 20 miles away through open farmland. Drivers may pass a tractor or horse and buggy every now and then, but those aspects are part of living in Lancaster County’s Amish Country. Those seeking a laid-back lifestyle in a town that blends a rural and suburban atmosphere often find Clay to be a wonderful place to settle down.
![Nicolas Stuart]()
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
![TJ Engler]()
Photography Contributed By
TJ Engler
