Sadsbury Township offers country living near small towns
Sadsbury Township in Lancaster County is a very rural area comprised of mostly Amish and Mennonite farmland. Dairy and produce farms sprawl around every corner, providing picturesque countryside views, while impacting other senses as well. “In fall, the crops come out, and by April, all the farmers are out pumping their manure pits, and you'll notice the smell,” says Michael Fisher, owner of Noble Pastures, a local dairy farm. While the township offers rural living, it’s surrounded by small towns and boroughs, including Christiana, Georgetown, Gap and Atglen . “I think it’s a great area because it’s not so rural that you can’t go to shopping centers and things like that,” Fisher says. It’s less than 10 miles from Sadsbury Township in Chester County, which is a more suburban community.
Limited inventory on single-family homes with spacious lots
Because farmland makes up a significant portion of the township, housing is scarce. Single-family homes can be found along Upper Valley Road and in the few subdivisions scattered throughout the area. Many houses were built between the mid-1900s and early 2000s, including ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals and various custom models. Homes with around half-an-acre lots range from $330,000 to $380,000. Other properties with 1 to 3 acres of land cost between $350,000 and $810,000.
Local markets and roadside stands offer fresh produce and goods
Red Barn Farm Market is one of several roadside produce stands in the area. It offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, flowers and homemade products, such as cider doughnuts and jarred goods. Singing Spring Foods is also nearby, which sells discounted groceries. Shoppers also head to Christiana and Gap to shop at bigger grocery stores, including Dutch-Way Farm Market and Weis. Some of the closest restaurants include Christiana Pizza in Christiana and Hometown Kitchen in Georgetown. Hometown Kitchen serves Amish-style comfort foods, including chicken pot pie and meatloaf. Crossroads Café is another option, popular for its pretzel logs. Gap has a few dining options as well, including Golden Wall Chinese Restaurant, Alessio Pizza and some fast-food restaurants.
Career-focused programs at Octorara Junior/Senior High School
Octorara Area School District serves Sadsbury Township and other surrounding communities. It features three schools right next to each other. Students in kindergarten through second grade attend Octorara Primary Learning Center, which receives a B grade from Niche. Students go on to C-plus graded Octorara Intermediate School, followed by Octorara Area Junior/Senior High School, which receives a B-minus. The high school offers a Career Pathways program, allowing students to take courses focused on science and health, business, art and communication, human services and technology.
Nearby nature trails and community parks
The community has access to a few parks just outside of the township. Wolf’s Hollow County Park offers 569 acres of nature to explore with a trail that runs nearly 10 miles. “You’re in the woods, so you’re hiking around lots of trees. You’ll see some deer out there, too,” Fisher says. The park also offers an overlook of the nearby Historic Mercer’s Mill Covered Bridge. Built in 1880, the bridge provides a step back in time with its wooden craftsmanship over Octoraro Creek. Atglen Community Park is nearby in its namesake borough, featuring a playground and picnic pavilion.
Community Day welcomes the fall season
Every September, Community Day is held at the Sadsbury Township Supervisors office and serves as a welcome to fall. The event features pumpkin painting, hayrides and live bluegrass and gospel music.
About 20 minutes to Lancaster and 90 minutes to Philadelphia
Christiana Pike is the main road in town that connects the township to Atglen, Christiana and Georgetown. Depending on the starting location, U.S. 30 can be less than a mile or more than 10 miles away. From U.S. 30, it’s nearly a 20-minute drive to Lancaster , which takes just over 30 minutes. It takes around 90 minutes to drive approximately 50 miles to Philadelphia , home to Philadelphia International Airport.
Lower than average crime score
The township is served by Pennsylvania State Police. It receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
