Rural Norwegian is close to Pottsville without the urban bustle
Norwegian is a rural township in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, situated among the Appalachian Mountains. The community is 2 miles from Pottsville and draws those who wish to be close to city conveniences like shopping and dining, but not within the hustle and bustle of an urban setting. The township has pockets of suburban communities such as Seltzer and Marlin. “Budweiser actually came to Seltzer and did a whole big thing there using the seltzer name when they started advertising their seltzer,” says Nada Laguna, a Realtor with EveryHome Realtors. Laguna has been working in the industry for 14 years. “They donated to the fire company and had a launch party there; it was a whole thing.” Laguna summarizes Norwegian best by stating that it’s right outside the city of Pottsville, but close to all the town's amenities.
Homes in suburban or country areas
The township gives homebuyers the option to live in a small, suburban community with gridded streets occasionally lined with sidewalks and manicured lawns, or on acres of land along winding roadways within the countryside. “In Norwegian Township, there's Norwegian Woods, a newer development that has the more affluent homes in that area,” says Laguna. “The older homes are from the 50s and 60s, and many are ranch-style homes on quarter-acre lots.” Newer homes are in the New Traditional style, and others are in the National style. They range in price from $100,000 to $350,000, while newer homes, mainly those in Norwegian Woods, range from $380,000 to $500,000.
Shopping and dining in Marlin and Pottsville
“A big draw for Marlin is Marlin Markets, the best butchers' shop in town,” says Laguna. “The same employees have been there for years, they get you in and they get you out. The meats are always good, and their prices are good. My clients who live 45 minutes away go there twice a month.” The butcher shop also serves subs and other produce like eggs, milk and cheese. Other restaurants and shops are within Pottsville, like The Crimson House, a restaurant and lounge serving American fare. The eatery has live music and special events throughout the year. The D.G. Yuengling & Son brewery was founded in 1829 and is America’s oldest brewery. It offers tours and still serves pints at its original site. Pressed Coffee & Books serves specialty espresso drinks and light breakfast and lunch items for a morning pick-me-up. The shop is also a bookstore and takes donations. Pottsville also has a Weis Markets and an ALDI for groceries.
Village park and arena in Norwegian
The village of Seltzer has a playground and a baseball field. Both have open, grassy areas for picnics, and the playground has a hard-top basketball court. In Marlin, the Roller Roost Sports Arena is an indoor roller skating rink with a laser tag area and an arcade. The rink is also home to the Schuylkill County Scream Queens, a roller derby team. The JFK Pool in Pottsville is open from May through August and has a slide and a splash area for little ones.
Commuters head into Pottsville
Most residents take Seltzer Road 2 miles into Pottsville for employment, shopping, dining and entertainment. Lehigh Valley Hospital is 3 miles away in Pottsville, and Leigh Valley International Airport is 52 miles away.
Students attend school in the Pottsville Area School District
The Pottsville Area School District, which gets a B-minus from Niche, serves the area. Students may attend John S. Clarke Elementary Center, D.H.H. Lengel Middle and Pottsville Area High. All three schools receive a B-minus. High school students may enroll in the Schuylkill Technology Center to participate in culinary arts, pre-engineering and masonry programs.
Environmental concerns in Norwegian
Away from the residential area is an anthracite mine run by the Reading Anthracite Company. The company aims to restore its mining areas after use to prevent long-term environmental effects. “They let people ride their dirt bikes on their old mining sites,” says Laguna. “People come in from other cities. I see trucks coming in stacked with bikes with New York and New Jersey license plates.”
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
