$349,479Average Value$235Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Rural living in the foothills of Blue Mountain
Bethel is a township located in the northern tip of Pennsylvania's Berks County, in the shadow of Blue Mountain Ridge. Within the township, the small towns of Bethel and Frystown offer quaint living with one foot still in the 1800s. Historical houses are passed down through generations, and close-knit communities feel like extended family rather than neighbors. But most of the 4,000 people who call Bethel home settle farther out, in secluded rural homes set within the natural beauty of Appalachia.
Private rural residencies
Within the small towns of Bethel and Frystown, homes built in the 1880s go for around $200,000. However, most properties in the greater township area are rural and secluded. Outside of town centers, homes are generally from the mid-20th century, but some newer builds are available. Three-bedroom ranch-style houses and bungalows start at $100,000, and prices rise to $300,000 and $400,000 for an acre or more of land. Luxurious log cabins and rustic Cape Cods with several acres can get up to $600,000, often including long driveways leading away from any major roads to ensure a private residence in the woods.
Bethel streets are quiet and lined with historical colonial revival architecture.
New traditional builds in Bethel enjoy their privacy with never ending acres of land.
Brick colonials borrow Queen Anne architectural features with designs on the front porch.
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Hunting and hiking in Blue Mountain
Bethel's natural northern border is Blue Mountain Ridge, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Just 5 miles north of Bethel, residents enjoy access to Weiser State Forest, numerous camping sites and the Appalachian Trail. Easily accessible spots along the Trail include Kimmel Lookout, the Rock Pile and 500 Steps Lookout. Small parking lots for hiking and hunting access are right off the main roads. After stocking up at the Cabela's in Hamburg, locals enjoy spending a day hunting in the State Game Lands within Blue Mountain. Closer to town, Bethel Community Park offers paved walking trails, a reservable pavilion and open green space. In Frystown, the community park has a playground, basketball court and baseball fields.
Take in all of the beauty Bethel Township has to offer from Kimmel Lookout on Appalachian Trail.
Hike the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia and pass through Bethel Township.
Mountain climbers and thrill seekers of Bethel can join the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club.
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Grab a bite to eat among familiar faces
The Gathering Place Café in Bethel lives up to its name, as it is a popular spot to meet friends for breakfast. Over in Frystown, the coffee shop Baked Sweet doubles as the site of a local makers market and preschool story time. For a larger meal, Kauffmans's Bar-B-Que Restaurant is known for its fried chicken and is often the first choice for catering local celebrations. Customers can work up an appetite on their mini-golf course right outside before eating. Locals enjoy heading to Hornings Market of Bethel for a wide selection of groceries, with discount deals on name brands. But there aren't many big brands in the area, so for more shopping and dining, residents head to the city of Lebanon, 15 miles away.
Sit inside Baked Sweet Coffeehouse and Bakery and get some work done in Bethel.
Grab a hot coffee or sweet treat on a cold day in Bethel at Baked Sweet Coffeehouse and Bakery.
Dine inside or out under the pavilion at Kauffman's BBQ in Bethel.
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Public schools and homeschooling resources
The Bethel Township is served by the Tulpehocken Area School District. Younger kids can attend Bethel Elementary School, which is walkable from the town of Bethel. The Elementary receives a B-minus rating from Niche. For older children, Tulpehocken Junior Senior High School is rated C-plus. The school has a teacher-student ratio of 11-to-1 and is known for its agriculture program. The school began renovations in 2022 to update the old building and provide a new media center for the kids. "Many families choose to homeschool their kids too," says Trish Scharff, a librarian at the Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library. "The library is a big resource for those kids; we have a whole section dedicated to providing them books and materials for enrichment."
Bethel Elementary School provides education in the neighborhood of
Bethel.
Tulpehocken Junior-Senior High School provides education in the neighborhood of
Jefferson.
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Community at Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library
"There's not much out here in Bethel in terms of big community centers," Scharff says. "The library is the biggest thing in Bethel, and we host various events from children’s story time to a Trim Healthy Mama cooking class." The library has been renovated to include a new YA section and a larger children's section. It also provides computer access and free Wi-Fi. "The computers are our most popular amenity," Scharff explains. "And the free Wi-Fi extends to the parking lot, so some people enjoy sitting in their cars to use our Wi-Fi — and that's just fine with us."
Find a new book or community event at the Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library.
Travel to the big cities
Bethel has a distinct small-town feel, so residents must drive for several miles when they need access to big city amenities. Lebanon and Hamburg are both a 20-minute drive away. And many locals commute the 26 miles into Reading for work. Larger hospitals are found in Reading, and an international airport is 35 miles away in Harrisonburg. And for day trips, Philadelphia and New York are a 2-hour drive away.
Written By
Tina Davis
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
Video By
Barry Ridgeway
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Stauffer,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Bethel, PA sell after 16 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Bethel, PA over the last 12 months is $400,000, up 60% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Hamburg area Schools 11 acres custom built ranch home with 60 x 55 shop. Take a good hard look running a business hobby car enthusiasts , contractors, a wood shop is what it was many many opportunities here in the country close to Bethel. Close to Route 78 and 501 expansive Lawn loads of off street parking house set back from the road for privacy speaking of the house custom built 2500
This wonderful detached, traditional two-story in the Strausstown community has been lovingly maintained by the same owners for over 50 years. The main level includes a spacious living room with plenty of windows and a cozy gas fireplace. The eat-in kitchen includes newer appliances, laundry area, and access to the fully-fenced backyard. Off of the kitchen is one of two full bathrooms and a
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