Hilltown Township has a mix of rural and suburban traits
Hilltown Township, in Bucks County, about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia , has a mix of rural and suburban qualities. "We have these beautiful bucolic rolling hills, people are really drawn to the peace and quiet of that," says Sarah Peters, a real estate team leader with eXp Realty. "It's a nice sweet spot where there is affordability and availability. We often see buyers moving over from New York and New Jersey because our taxes are much more affordable."
Once named Perkasie Indian Town, the area saw newcomers in the 1700s, including Welsh Baptists, English Quakers, Mennonites and Germans. Most of the settler families were in farming communities. Large-scale residential development didn't start until the late 1970s.
A wide range of home sizes, prices and conditions in Hilltown
Some of the oldest homes are mid-19th to early-20th century farmhouses. Other options include colonials, Cape Cods, ranch-style homes and contemporaries. Homes from 1,000 to 4,500 square feet can range from $250,000 to $970,000, with age, condition and lot size as factors. "There's a lot of opportunity in Hilltown because it's not oversaturated. Buyers haven't been priced out," Peters says. "If someone is open to small renovations and a little elbow grease, there are some really good opportunities. There also are some turn-key properties available."
Homes priced from $1 million to $2.1 million may be new, have 3,700 to 7,000 square feet or occupy multiacre lots. Townhome developments, mainly to the west or north, include 55-and-up communities like Regency of Hilltown. Townhomes are about $240,000 to $680,000. Quiet Acres is a senior community with manufactured homes typically priced in the $200,000s.
The Pennridge School District has well-regarded schools
Most of Hilltown is zoned to the Pennridge School District. Students may attend M. M. Seylar Elementary School or J.M. Grasse Elementary School, both of which earn B-plus grades from Niche. Pennridge Central Middle School and Pennridge High School receive B grades. The high school offers a dual enrollment program in collaboration with Bucks County Community College, the University of Pittsburgh and Gwynedd Mercy University. Upper Bucks County Technical School offers programs in fields like computer science, agriculture and creative design.
Plenty to do for all ages in parks and community centers
Hilltown Township Civic Park has athletics fields and courts, a playground and a walking path. Blooming Glen Park also has athletics amenities and a playground, plus a forested picnic area. The Deep Run Valley Sports Association facilitates youth sports programming, including soccer, lacrosse and baseball. The Pennridge Community Center provides senior activities, with reduced fees for members. Hilltown is also home to the Philadelphia Glider Council, a non-profit flight school that uses non-motorized aircrafts.
People can enjoy farm activities and seasonal and holiday events
Seasonal or holiday events include an Easter egg scavenger hunt and a Halloween Trunk & Treat with a scarecrow competition. The Hilltown Township Volunteer Fire Company puts on the Wines on the Hill Festival in September at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. In late fall and winter, a craft show and the Festival of Trees are hosted by the Pearl S. Buck House, a National Historic Landmark museum, once home to the 20th century Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
Several farms offer activities like pick-your-own fruit or flowers and horseback riding. "Because it is more rural, part of the charm is you get these fantastic farm stands, and year-round farmers markets," Peters says.
Places to eat and shop in and around Hilltop Township
Bolton's Farm Market is one of the spots to pick up fresh meat, produce and prepared deli items. Along state Route 309 on the south, stores include Aldi, Giant and Care & Share Thrift Shoppes. Farther down 309 is The East End, a restaurant and pub that hosts trivia challenges, game watch parties and bands. There's also a Walmart in the area.
Some area businesses are based at historical sites. Crossroads Tavern, which started as a Colonial-era inn, is another place to catch the game or watch live entertainment. The Hickory Stick serves ice cream out of a former one-room schoolhouse. It's not far to the Sellersville Theater, which originally opened in 1894. "It's a small venue, but it gets talent from around the nation. It's a treasure," Peters says.
Other than strolls near home, driving is the main way to get around
The township is fairly car dependent. Though some subdivisions have suburban-style sidewalks, other properties are in areas lacking sidewalks. Homes may be set back from the road or separated from a neighbor's house by a field. State Routes 113 and 152 go through the township, and there's close access to SR-309 from the west and south sides.
One of the bigger medical facilities in the area, St. Luke's Grand View Hospital – Sellersville, is about 7 miles away. Colmar station is one of the nearest regional rail stops for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Lansdale/Doylestown Line. The station, about 7 miles from Hilltown, has over 380 parking spaces. Lehigh Valley International Airport, which has domestic flights to hubs such as Philadelphia, Charlotte and Denver , is about 30 miles away, in Allentown .
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Written By
Robin Silberman
