Fleetwood, a rural borough
Fleetwood is a quiet Pennsylvania borough where residents have access to dining, outdoor recreation and vibrant communal spaces. “The area has a good mix of residents ranging from young people to the retired,” says Associate Broker and Realtor Rose M. Beck, who sells homes in the area for RE/Max of Reading. “You have employment and business opportunities all across the area. For example, there’s an up-and-coming craft beer industry. The downtown commercial district is also growing.” Many homebuyers are attracted to the borough because it is a suburban environment amid a sprawling rural landscape. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the population is just over 4,000.
Desirable suburban housing
“Homes in Berks County, where Fleetwood is based, are more desirable than neighboring counties like Schuylkill,” Beck says. “Most properties are in good condition, priced competitively and only stay on the market for about 17 days.” The area offers various styles ranging from early-20th-century twin homes to contemporary suburban dwellings. A three-bedroom, one-bathroom early-1900s brick twin house on Arch Street has an assessed value of $180,000. A three-bedroom 1920s single-family home with a wood-burning stove is valued at $205,000. A four-bedroom 1970s ranch-style home within walking distance of the schools and community park sold in 2022 for $290,000. Homebuyers can purchase an early-2000s, four-bedroom suburban home with a brick and vinyl exterior for $430,000. Homebuyers easily disturbed by noise should be aware that Norfolk Southern Railway’s Reading Line crosses through Fleetwood. “The homes are less expensive than in places closer to Philly, like Montgomery County,” Beck says.
Nearby public schools and universities
Some children attend Willow Creek Elementary School, where there is 55% reading proficiency and an 11-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Fleetwood Area Middle School has 24% math and 48% reading proficiency. Most teens move on to Fleetwood Area High School, which has a 97% average graduation rate and offers 15 college courses. All three schools have B-minus Niche ratings. Fleetwood is 5 miles southwest of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
Nearby shopping and dining
There are several restaurants along Main Street. Locals visit The Cadillac Pub to shoot billiards, watch sports, drink draft beer and eat burgers. Fiore’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria has been a local stable since 1991. For residents interested in fast-food dining, Krispy Krunchy Chicken is known for its Cajun-style fried chicken and wings. Residents shop for their own cooking ingredients at Boyer’s Food Market. On Richmond Street, locals purchase home goods like furniture, rugs, lamps, candles and paints at ANITATrinket. Folks drive about 6 miles southwest via Park Road to shop at the Walmart in Temple. Some residents work on East Race Street at a craft beer distributor called Fleetwood Beverages.
Plenty of outdoor recreation
Outdoorsy residents join Boyer’s Junction Community Center to camp, hike and fish on 40 acres of woodland known as Jim Moore Park. Fleetwood Community Pool on Vine Street is a popular place to cool off during the summer. Fleetwood Community Park has a children’s play area, a fitness trail, three pavilions with picnic tables and an auditorium. People travel 5 miles northwest to hopefully unwind on the greens of Rich Maiden Golf Course. Locals drive 9 miles west to Lake Ontelaunee, which allows hunting, fishing and hiking.
Activities for people of all ages
Fleetwood Area Public Library hosts book clubs for adults and after-school hangouts for teens. The Tri-Valley Branch YMCA holds camps, childcare and other youth development programs throughout the year. People drive 13 miles north to take part in events at a wedding and party venue called The Barn at Walnut Grove, which hosts live music and dancing events like its Christmas Bash. The Fleetwood Rotary Club hosts car shows at the community park. People watch new film releases at the IMAX theater in Reading.
Direct commuter access
Residents can drive 25 miles northeast via U.S. Route 222 to Allentown, home of Lehigh Valley International Airport. Most residents receive medical treatment at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown. Locals travel 15 miles southwest to Reading via Pennsylvania Route 12. There is a regional airport in Reading. They can also drive 60 miles southeast to Philadelphia via U.S. Route 422 and Interstate 76. Many residents get around town by walking along the sidewalks or biking the streets. On weekdays, the Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority operates a bus route that connects Fleetwood residents to the rest of the county. However, the vast majority of residents get around by driving. “There is a little bit of traffic on Route 222 because so many commuters take that road,” Beck says. “The towns themselves have their own thoroughfares, so the locals can skirt around most of the traffic.”
Photography Contributed By
TJ Engler
