Ontelaunee

The Hyde Park-Muhlenberg neighborhood has a nostalgic vibe, like stepping back in time. It's no wonder, as many of the homes date back to 1900. This suburban community comprises semi-attached, row homes and single-family homes. "Many people are leaving the city to come to this area as their next step in their lives," says Pagoda Realty Realtor Lisa Hassler, who includes this community in her territory. Most homes are Cape Cods, bungalows and Colonial revivals, some featuring brick or stone facades and even small front porches. Prices run from $118,000 to $291,000. The yard sizes are typically less than ¼ acre, and most homes have garages, though some are detached. The neighborhood has manicured lawns and mature oak trees dotting the landscape. The streets, which run in a grid pattern, have sidewalks. Students can attend Muhlenberg Elementary Center (MEC), the largest elementary school in Berks County. MEC teaches social skills through the High 5 Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the natural environment. The school received a C from Niche. Muhlenberg Junior High School also received a C grade from Niche. Muhlenberg High School has a B from Niche and includes world languages and technology in its curriculum. Hyde Park is 1.6 acres and features a ball field, playground area and a skateboarding section. Residents can test their rock-climbing skills at Reading Rocks, which is less than a mile's drive via back roads. The facility includes climbs of all skills and levels, including Nicros "Custom Rock," which is as close as someone can get to real rock climbing. Muhlenberg was originally part of Alsace Township; however, residents in the western part of Alsace were unhappy with high taxes and the costs of maintaining roads in their part of the township. Muhlenberg Township was formed in 1851, named after Henry Augustus Muhlenberg, who was a member of one of the more prominent families of Berks County. "This is a huge retail area with everything from big box stores to mom-and-pop shops," says Jim Bobeck, Muhlenberg Township manager. Target is a 1.5-mile drive via back roads, and Walmart Supercenter is a 3.3-mile drive, also via back roads. Boscov's Fairgrounds Farmers Market is a hot spot for fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and flowers. The market includes Country BBQ, Dutch Maid Bakery and San's Asian Food, among its many merchants. For 20 years, Legends Bar & Restaurant has been a staple in Muhlenberg Township. In addition to their unique cocktails, the restaurant serves appetizers and pizza. Another local favorite is Craft 2700, located in the historic Freymoyer's Hotel. The eatery offers hand-crafted food and drinks with a variety of craft beers from around the country. Both restaurants are within a 1-mile drive via back roads. Pretzel manufacturing is a big business in the Reading area, bringing employment to many residents. Bachman, Dieffenbach, Tom Sturgis and Unique Pretzel bakeries call the Reading area home. Commuters have easy access to Pennsylvania routes 12 and 183 and U.S. routes 222, 61 and 73. Though there are several nearby Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority (BARTA) bus stops, most residents rely on their cars. Residents drive approximately 4.3 miles to Reading Regional-Carl A. Spaatz Field Airport.

Fox Chase is a scenic suburban community that skirts the Schuylkill River and is approximately four miles north of Reading. The area was named after a local establishment that was built in 1705. The inn was a destination for wealthy colonists who enjoyed the recreational pastimes of their homelands, such as fox hunting. "I believe what draws people here is easy access to highways, an established corridor of commerce and the preservation of open green spaces," says Jim Bobeck, Muhlenberg Township manager. Most of the homes in the neighborhood were built in the 1980s and '90s, and architectural styles include Cape Cod, Tudor and Colonial Revival with brick facades. Prices run from $275,000 to $387,000. For $354,500, a buyer can get a 2,400 square-foot three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath Tudor-style home. The yard sizes are typically less than ¼ acre, and most homes have garages. The neighborhood has manicured lawns and mature oak trees dotting the landscape. The streets, which run in a grid pattern, have sidewalks. Students can attend Muhlenberg Elementary Center (MEC), the largest elementary school in Berks County. MEC teaches social skills through the High 5 Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the natural environment. The school received a C from Niche. Muhlenberg Junior High School also received a C grade from Niche. Muhlenberg High School has a B from Niche and includes world languages and technology in its curriculum. Felix Dam Park, a scenic natural space along the Schuylkill River, is within walking distance. Lower Felix Dam Park has a launch for canoeing. A portion of the Schuylkill River Trail connects this park to Upper Felix Dam Park. Riverview Dog Park features space for neighborhood dogs to play. Muhlenberg was originally part of Alsace Township; however, residents in the western part of Alsace were unhappy with high taxes and the costs of maintaining roads in their part of the township. Muhlenberg Township was formed in 1851, named after Henry Augustus Muhlenberg, who was a member of one of the more prominent families of Berks County. "This is a huge retail area with everything from big box stores to mom-and-pop shops," Bobeck says. Target is a 3-mile drive via U.S. Route 222 Business, and Walmart Supercenter is a 3-mile drive via local roads. Also nearby is Boscov's Fairgrounds Farmers Market, which sells fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and flowers. The market includes Country BBQ, Dutch Maid Bakery, and San's Asian Food, among its many merchants. The Station House Grill, a 1.5-mile drive via local roads, is a family-owned business known for its comfort foods, including slow-cooked meats, gourmet grilled cheese and tater tots. For a meal anytime, locals can drive 3 miles to Route 61 Diner, a 24-hour diner that serves everything from omelets to wraps, sandwiches, pasta and more. Fox Chase is adjacent to U.S. Route 222. Commuters drive 8 miles to Reading, where East Penn Manufacturing and Reading Hospital are the leading employers. Though there are several nearby Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority (BARTA) bus stops, most residents rely on their cars. Residents drive approximately 6 miles to Reading Regional-Carl A. Spaatz Field Airport via local roads.

Bern, Pennsylvania is a rural neighborhood located just over 7 miles from downtown Reading. Matt Wolf is a real estate agent with RE/MAX of Reading who has sold houses in the area since 2002. “It’s pristine rolling hills of farmland. It’s quiet and untouched, the area has been heavily influenced by the Pennsylvania Dutch history and before that by the Native Americans. One day I even found an arrowhead in my yard.” Bern is part of Berks County, which holds a population of almost half a million. The neighborhood itself is sparsely populated, and the few homes that exist in Bern are built on large properties. Leinbachs is a small town center located in the neighborhood that provides residents access to commercial amenities. Winding country roads cut across rolling hills of farmland in Bern. Long, private driveways connect spacious properties to public streets. The expansive rural nature of the neighborhood means that residents won’t get very far walking, especially considering that most roads lack any sidewalks. Bern is more heavily forested than nearby neighborhoods. The mature foliage and hilly Appalachian terrain give properties a private, closed-in feel. The housing market is limited, with only two listings currently for sale. Colonial and Log Cabin-style houses are common, with prices ranging anywhere from $200,000 to over $1 million for a newly built house with over four bedrooms. A recently sold two-story, four-bedroom Colonial-style house closed for $365,000. The notorious Schuylkill River runs along the eastern border of the neighborhood. The topic of how to pronounce Schuylkill has been a contentious topic of debate for decades, with many locals choosing to phrase the river as ‘Skoo-kel.’ In any case, Bern gives residents access to the Schuylkill Valley Public School system. Schuylkill Valley Elementary, Middle and High School each earn a B rating on Niche. Schuykill Valley High School offers Advanced Placement classes for its students and specializes in a career-oriented education. Jim Dietrich Park is a well-maintained public park located along the Schuylkill River. The park features a baseball stadium and two additional baseball diamonds. Residents enjoy playing basketball on one of the four courts at Jim Dietrich Park, which are the only public basketball courts in the neighborhood. Tulpehocken Creek Valley Park is located within Bern and gives residents access to miles of hiking trails along the Tulpehocken creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill. Blue Marsh Lake runs along the neighborhood’s southern border and is a major recreational site in Berk’s County. The artificial lake and nearby PA State Game Lands Number 280 are maintained by the Army’s Corps of Engineers. The game lands are known for being a popular pheasant-hunting area. With 1,147 acres of water, Blue Marsh Lake is the preferred location among locals for fishing, swimming and boating. There are 36 miles of hiking trails surrounding the lake. Every Fourth of July, residents make use of the ample grassland to host lakeside picnics and barbeques. Willow Hollow Golf Course is a public-use course that offers residents picturesque views of the Schuylkill valley. Leinbachs is a small town center located on Route 183 that features essential amenities like a pharmacy and a gas station. The extensive farmland of the region allows local restaurants to serve farm to table cuisine. Downtown reading is available via a 15-minute drive that can easily exceed 20 minutes during rush-hour traffic. The Reading Regional Airport is located in the southeast corner of the neighborhood and is also home to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum. Reading Hospital was founded in 1867 and is one of the area’s largest employers. Alvernia University is a private Catholic college that teaches over 3,000 students in downtown Reading.