A residential area with rural and suburban atmospheres
Suburban and rural communities make up the character of Palmer, a neighborhood with proximity to Easton, Nazareth and several other towns in eastern Pennsylvania. With wide-ranging, open land comprising portions of its north side and more residential streets lining the southern region, two distinct styles of living help define the neighborhood. “Palmer is unique because it sits between the two major highways, 22 and 33,” says Jonathan Campbell, the CEO of the Campbell Team. “It’s almost all residential. There’s the Easton School District, a lot of residential homes and a Wegmans grocery store.” Dozens of parks and local flair line an area in which shopping centers can give way to farmland and vice versa.
A wide variety of homes in Palmer
The Palmer neighborhood is split into two distinct areas: a rural northern side and a more suburban landscape closer to the region’s commercial areas. The north side is mostly comprised of farmland and a few developments, including Tuskes Northwood Farms and Parkview Estates, while the southern half is primarily residential. “Palmer is all over the place,” Campbell says. “They have some new constructions there. This area was built in the 1950s and 1960s, and there’s a lot of Cape Cods, ranch homes, split-levels and bi-levels. That’s actually the original Palmer Township type of stuff. It’s usually between $350,000 and $550,000.” In the northern half, smaller single-family homes like ranches and colonials can range between around $200,000 and $400,000, while larger colonials and other custom properties can sell for $500,000 or higher. On the south side, smaller ranches, Cape Cods and townhouses can cost up to $300,000, while larger forms of those architectural styles, as well as detached homes and colonials, can be priced as high as into the $600,000s.
Schools with athletic achievements
Tracy Elementary School is one of several places to begin education for Palmer students, located close to the neighborhood’s northeastern region. It scores a B with Niche’s rating service, and after graduating fifth grade there, enrollment moves on to Easton Area Middle School. Easton Area Middle scores a C-plus with Niche, and it’s followed by the B-rated Easton Area High School. Easton Area High is notable for achieving “The Streak” from 1948 to 2015, in which at least one of its wrestlers won a District 11 championship each season during that span. Its football team plays at one of the oldest such stadiums in the country and ranks in the top 10 for overall program wins nationwide.
A bevy of outdoor recreation
More than two dozen parks dot the landscape in and around Palmer, offering plenty of recreational options. Hackett Park lies in the eastern part of the neighborhood, featuring a disc golf course, swing set and a baseball field with its outfield extending up close to Hackett Avenue. Across the way, Bob Rute Fields has three additional diamonds, one with an outfield fence and two facing each other with space for other sports to be played as well. “Bushkill Park has one of the original roller-skating rinks,” Campbell says. “The Bushkill Creek runs right through Palmer. There’s a ton of fishing up there and some very small parks, and another thing that’s very nice about the area is that it has a lot of biking trails.” Bushkill Park in itself serves as a mini entertainment center that’s been around since 1902, complete with the skating rink, amusement rides and concessions. In the southeastern corner, Riverview Park has sports facilities, a playground and more along the Lehigh River.
Multiple malls and a surplus of shopping
Nazareth Road serves as the primary thoroughfare in Palmer for shopping and dining. Northampton Commons lies just off of where Nazareth meets Route 33. Within, shoppers can find a roster of stores including Walmart, Kohl’s and Hobby Lobby; entertainment at a Regal Cinemas; and dishes at chains like Red Robin, Chipotle and McDonald’s.” Across Nazareth Road, the Lower Nazareth Commons Shopping Mall counts a Target, Starbucks and Wegmans among its tenants. Rolling southeast down the thoroughfare, motorists can find Diner 248’s menu stocked with breakfast, lunch and dinner options, pizza pies at Anthony’s Pizza II and the smaller Northwood Corner shopping mall. “Palmer Park Mall is one of the original malls in the area,” Campbell says. “Every convenience is right there. You have your diners like Diner 248, other little neighborhood spots and some good restaurants around. There’s a lot of local stuff.” In the southeastern part of the neighborhood, the Palmer Town Center sits along South 25th Street and has a Home Depot and GIANT. In the southern portion of Palmer, William Penn Highway is lined with staples like the Smile Café and Marblehead Chowder House.
Seasonal celebrations and art showcases
Raub’s Farm Market is situated in the northeastern sector of the neighborhood. Though it’s open year-round, it’s known for its seasonally-themed celebrations and events. Visitors can wander amid sunflowers in the summer months or, in the fall, select from a pumpkin patch before navigating Raub’s corn maze. Just east, the Karl Stirner Arts Trail features installations of the sculptor’s work along winding paths, and in the southern half of Palmer, the Northampton Country Club plays host to both golfers hitting the greens and events like weddings.
Two major routes intersect in Palmer
Route 33 runs north-south through Palmer. The road begins just south of the Lehigh River below Palmer and begins its trek upward, ending near Stroudsburg and the Pocono Mountains, which are just over 30 miles north of the neighborhood. In the southern half of Palmer, 33 has a cloverleaf interchange with Route 22, which extends west all the way into Ohio and east into New Jersey. As such, it spans the entire state of Pennsylvania, connecting Palmer residents with major cities like Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. Closer by, Bethlehem is just over 12 miles away, with Allentown about five further. “Palmer’s very easy to access on the south side via the 22 and on the north side via the 33,” Campbell says. “33 is the best route to get to Palmer.” The bright lights of New York City and Philadelphia are both about 75 miles to the east and south, respectively.
Photography Contributed By
Danny Lambert
