Countryside lifestyle by the foothills of the Blue Mountain Range
About 15 miles northwest of Reading, where the west banks of the Schuylkill River meet the feet of the Blue Mountain Range, lies Tilden Township. In 1740, Tilden became home to one of the first Amish congregations in America. Prior to becoming its own township, it was the first railroad stop on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad in the late 1800s. The town slowly developed over the next half-century. Roughly one-third of this eastern Pennsylvania community comprises unsettled, undeveloped hunting and recreational land, while farmland fills most of the rest. Though Interstate 78 runs through the township’s center, offering passage to several big-box stores to the east, it does little to interrupt the area’s rural charm.
Access to the 2,000-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Pennsylvania State Game Land No. 110 covers more than 10,000 acres along the Blue Mountain Range. Tilden Township’s northwestern section occupies a small chunk of that acreage, offering hunting and fishing opportunities. Part of the over 2,000-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail is accessible from the neighborhood, and several other trails are accessible farther north. Tilden Township Park has a basketball court, playground and fishing access. Tilden Park is an additional green space with another playground and a baseball diamond with fruitful farmland beyond the outfield. Residents are also 6 miles south of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, which covers 2,600 acres and is among the world’s leading bird-of-prey conservancies. “There is a lookout at the peak of the mountain surrounded by deep valleys, where you can see all the birds migrating,” says Deena Kershner, a Hamburg resident and executive director of the local “Our Town Foundation” nonprofit organization.
Manufactured homes starting in the $75,000s
Though the township was established in 1887, most homes available were built in the past few decades. Lot sizes in town range from compact, suburban yards to 70-plus acres. Manufactured homes from the 1990s and 2000s typically sell for $75,000 to $150,000. Three- to four-bedroom ranch-style houses usually go for $250,000 to $350,000. Meanwhile, larger colonials, Tudor-style homes and log cabins tend to sell for $350,000 to $650,000. The CAP Index gives Tilden a crime score of 2 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Shopping and dining near I-78
Tilden Township’s downtown, which is located at the Route 61/I-78 interchange, is a prime entertainment hotspot according to Kershner, whose organization helps develop and maintain the area. “We have a six-lane bowling alley, an indoor golf recreational facility and a one-screen movie theater that shows first-run movies,” says Kershner. “There are plenty of things to do in the area if you bring your family.” Walmart Supercenter and Aldi are closeby for groceries. Other nearby retailers include Lowe's Home Improvement, Pet Supplies Plus and Cabela's. “It’s the area’s own shopping Mecca if you are interested in shopping in the national chain stores,” Kershner says. Along Old U.S. Route 22 are popular local restaurants like Rico Casa for Mexican food and Westy Bar & Grill, which serves American favorites in the town’s former hotel.
Career pathways at Hamburg Area High
Students can start at Tilden Elementary Center, which gets a C-plus from Niche, before going to Hamburg Area Middle, which has a C. Hamburg Area High earns a B-minus and offers career pathways for fields including engineering and finance.
Commuting via I-78, Route 61
Rural, two-lane roads zigzag throughout most of Tilden Township, making the area car dependent. These take drivers to the Interstate 78 and state Route 61 interchange. From there, commuters can reach Reading, 15 miles south, and Allentown, 25 miles east. Geisinger St. Luke's is the closest hospital, located 8 miles north. Reading Regional Airport is 12 miles south.
