Springfield Township offers rural living near Allentown
Springfield Township is a patch of countryside on the outskirts of Allentown . The Bucks County community is home to 5,000 residents, far fewer than the Philadelphia suburb of the same name. “It’s just a beautiful bucolic area with pretty old stone farmhouses,” says Milly Dignetti, a Realtor associate with Carol C. Dorey Real Estate who has over a decade of local experience. “We’re at the upper tip of Bucks County. Upper Bucks used to be the middle of nowhere, but now we’re getting a lot more people, so it’s not as rural. I don’t want to make it sound like it’s becoming a metropolis, but there is a lot of relocation." Most businesses in the area are concentrated on major roads or in communities like Springtown and Zionhill, not far from Historic Knechts Covered Bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Housing options range from ranch-style to luxury estates on large lots
Most of the narrow, winding roads are bordered by shrubbery and tall trees. Land parcels typically measure several acres, with some smaller lots in the villages. Many properties include long paved or gravel driveways, large shaded yards and wooded areas. Some ranch-style houses also have attached garages. Cape Cod and ranch-style homes sell for $260,000 to $500,000, while contemporary, split-level and Colonial Revival houses cost $500,000 to $750,000. Large custom builds or historic homes on multiacre lots go for $765,000 to $950,000, and some luxury estates fetch prices from $1 million to $1.9 million. “I sell a lot of second homes to people who just want to come on the weekends,” Dignetti says. Springfield Township has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Palisades schools encourage families to get involved with student life
Most students start at Springfield Elementary School, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche. Palisades Middle School gets a B-plus, and Palisades High School gets a B. Families can keep tabs on student life through the district’s "Palisades Patch" publication. Pennsylvania’s open enrollment policy allows students to transfer to public schools outside their residential district, and private school choice programs provide tax credits to eligible families. The Palisades Community Foundation, an area nonprofit, hosts activities family fun runs, clothing distribution events and holiday giving trees.
Quiet nature trails and parks offer space to hike and explore
The Jere Knight Nature Trail meanders alongside a tributary of Cooks Creek, with signs to help hikers identify tree species. “Cooks Creek is a beautiful protected watershed with great fishing,” Dignetti says. Parking is limited, and the trail is usually quiet, especially on weekdays. Peppermint Road Park has a patchwork of mowed paths and berry bushes in a field popular with dog walkers. Locals can also head to Nockamixon State Park, about 7 miles away, for more hiking, plus biking, disc golf, hunting, fishing and boating on the 1,450-acre lake. The Silver Creek Athletic Association has been promoting youth sports for over 70 years, and its seasonal fundraisers include a Father’s Day car show and a chili cookoff in January.
Springtown restaurants serve classic breakfast and dinner fare
The village of Springtown has a historic district with a handful of locally owned businesses. Springtown Inn serves classics like prime rib and French onion soup in its elegant dining room. Hearty omelets and biscuits with gravy are popular breakfast items at Springfield Diner on Route 212. Coopersburg, about 6 miles away, has more shopping and dining options, including a Giant grocery store. Pieri Farm & Vineyard, also in Coopersburg, offers farm-to-table cuisine, and its winery began releasing homegrown varietals in 2024. Locals can also head to the restaurants and shops in Hellertown, roughly 5 miles away.
Travelers choose between three airports within a 70-mile radius
Pennsylvania Route 309 runs through the township and leads 15 miles north to Allentown and Lehigh Valley International Airport. Air travelers can also head 60 miles to Philadelphia International Airport or 70 miles to Newark Liberty International. Some local commuters make the 80-mile drive to New York City. "People being able to work from home is a big benefit, but a lot of people commute to New York or New Jersey,” Dignetti says. Medical care is available at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem, about 10 miles away.
Community gatherings at the firehouse and local churches
Palisades Regional Fire Rescue puts on events like a summer chicken barbecue and the Springtown Annual Halloween Parade. Salem United Methodist Church, in Springtown, hosts a weekly women’s study group and collects donations for the local food pantry. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church keeps a full social calendar with monthly hoagie sales, Easter breakfast, soup suppers for Advent and Lent, and coffee hours after Sunday morning worship.
