The historic and warm energy of Nazareth
Originally founded in 1740, the Borough of Nazareth is a growing suburb with a quiet atmosphere and an active community. Kyle Kerecman, Realtor and team leader of The Kerecman Group, has lived in Nazareth for about 20 years. He says, "It's a small town with big-time connections and a thriving atmosphere." Walkable blocks take locals and tourists alike past the storefronts of local businesses, and both new and vintage architecture mingles along the residential streets. With a rich history and celebrated festivals, Nazareth has a small-town vibe that still maintains vibrancy. Residents have quick access to several green spaces and stunning views of Lehigh Valley at a historical tower, taking full advantage of the borough's natural beauty.
Strolling the blocks of downtown Nazareth
Nazareth residents have blocks and blocks of downtown local businesses where they can walk around and explore. "It's a fabulous place to go out and find a place to eat. My family and I love visiting all the different restaurants," Kerecman says. Locals enjoy fine dining at Rios Brazilian Steakhouse, where the meat is carved at the table, or seek out the lowkey vibes of Pott's, which has been serving the community chili cheese hotdogs for decades. Nazareth Diner is another local staple, famous for its all-day breakfast options, while The Farm & Table makes dishes from local produce as patrons enjoy live music. The shops are just as diverse, with new instruments at Nazareth Music Center, hidden treasures at Attic to Basement Thrift Store and pampering at Parlor Hair Salon & Makeup Studio. Main and Broad Streets lead to Easton Road on the south side of town, where there are big box stores like Walmart and Target.
A rose for the arts
Right by Jacob E. Christman Spiritual Tower is a historical marker for "The Barony of the Rose," a nickname given to Nazareth after William Penn gifted his daughter 5,000 acres of land, with the exception that she pays taxes on it by giving him a single rose every June 24th. The tradition is honored yearly during the Arts & Crafts Festival, where people can check out hundreds of vendors, enjoy live music and buy a single rose, with proceeds going toward community projects.
From vintage architecture to contemporary homes
Nazareth offers a leafy setting where potential residents find various single-family homes, including ranch-style and split-level homes from the mid-1900s ranging from $250,000 to $350,000. Some areas feature new, contemporary homes from the early 2000s with half-acre or larger lots in the $400,000 to $550,000 range. Heading closer to the town center, it gets more condensed with a mix of row homes and twins built in the late 1800s starting at about $200,000. "People here love the beautiful old buildings," Kerecman says. "The architecture is stunning, and there's a lot of history behind them." 19th-century Colonial and Victorian homes appear in the busy town center along Main and Broad Streets through the center and south part of town.
On the pathway to Nazareth High
The Nazareth Area School District serves public schools, and students are split between three elementary schools for kindergarten through third grade. One possible option has them starting at Floyd R. Shafer Elementary before moving on to Nazareth Area Intermediate, which both receive an A-minus on Niche. Nazareth Area Middle and Nazareth Area High take home an A-minus and A, respectively. Nazareth High ranks in the top percentile for best public high schools in Pennsylvania and has appeared on the College Boards Advanced Placement Honor Roll for four consecutive years.
A panoramic view from Spiritual Tower
Nazareth Borough Park offers residents a great green space, and kids can play on the playground or at one of the many sports facilities. Residents dip in the community pool on hot summer days and ride sleds down the steep hills during the snowy winter months. For a panoramic view, locals head up High Street to one of the most elevated points in town at Jacob E. Christman Spiritual Tower, erected in 1916. Climbing the spiral staircase leads to a fantastic sight of Nazareth and the Lehigh Valley.
Navigating around Nazareth
Main Street connects east to Route 33, which flows a few miles down into the major thoroughfare of Interstate 78. There are several bus stops along central streets that intersect the entire neighborhood, and the borough itself is highly walkable and bikeable. Lehigh International Airport is roughly 13 miles northeast of Nazareth.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
Photography Contributed By
Danny Lambert
