Palmdale

Due east of "The Sweetest Place on Earth," gently rolling hills and a trio of emerald-green golf courses bound a small hamlet known as Palmdale. With its pastoral character, excellent schools, and proximity to the excitement and fun of Hershey's Chocolate World and Hersheypark, Palmdale ranks No. 5 on Niche's list of the best places to raise a family in Dauphin County.

Mostly built through the mid-20th century, Palmdale's homes line Route 422 and a few parallel streets. East Derry Road, a second primary thoroughfare in the community, courses through the Hershey Country Club toward the town of Hershey and its world-famous amusement park. Compared to Hershey and Hummelstown, another classic Main Street community a few miles west of the chocolate company town, Palmdale is much smaller and quieter, with only a few neighborhood businesses and a couple of hotels and highway inns that host Hershey's visitors. With an average home value of $260,000, Palmdale is generally more affordable than Hershey and Hummelstown. If you're looking for a lower-cost home, recent sales records show small properties with about 800 square feet of living space have sold for around $150,000. For one of the more common brick Cape Cods or midcentury ranch-style homes, prices push above $200,000. At the top of the market, recent listings included a Colonial-inspired, 2-story brick house under contract for $292,000 and a 4-bedroom, ranch-style home for sale at $349,900.

While the community hosts numerous visitors throughout the year, it is also home to thousands of local folks who work at Hershey or commute to jobs about 5 miles away in Harrisburg while raising a family here. Students in the area generally attend Hershey Elementary, Hershey Middle and Hershey High in the Derry Township School District, which Niche gives an A+. In the realm of private education, Hershey founder Milton S. Hershey's commitment to education and community can be seen through the Milton Hershey School. Established by Hershey and his wife, Catherine, the private K-12 grade boarding school provides needy children with a nurturing environment and quality education.

For outdoor play in the community, Palmdale Park sits alongside open green space and a corn field to the south and features playgrounds, a baseball field and a soccer pitch. Joining the Hershey Country Club provides even more recreational opportunities, as its pristinely manicured grounds feature two 18-hole courses, a shorter 9-hole course and a 25-station driving range, providing numerous challenges and opportunities to improve your game. As a club member, you'll also enjoy access to the club's outdoor pool, tennis court complex and 24-hour indoor fitness center. While you can enjoy a meal at the club's restaurant after a game or workout, numerous other restaurants and businesses welcome guests along the Route 422 corridor. You can indulge in stuffed French toast or eggs benedict at brunch at the Hershey Pantry. If you're mainly interested in refreshments, you can sip on a craft beer, hand-crafted cocktail or glass of wine on the Rotunda Brew Pub's shrub-lined patio or rustic-but-elevated tasting room.

Along Chocolate Avenue, Hershey's main commercial thoroughfare with streetlamps shaped like its iconic Hershey Kisses, you'll find a plethora of franchise restaurants and locally owned businesses.

Beyond the chocolate factory and the chocolate-centric attractions and thrill rides at Chocolate World and Hersheypark, Hershey boasts many entertainment options. The nearby Hershey Gardens, a meticulously landscaped botanical paradise, showcases a stunning collection of flowers and plants, including a breathtaking rose garden. The Hershey Theatre, a historic venue built in the 1930s, is a testament to the town's cultural heritage. This architectural gem hosts a wide array of performances, including Broadway shows, concerts, and ballets, enriching the community with artistic excellence. The Hershey Symphony Orchestra further contributes to the town's cultural fabric by delivering captivating classical music performances.

Written By

Christopher Suarez

Photography Contributed By

Danny Lambert

Video By

Mark Barakat