Upper Bern offers country living near the Appalachian foothills
When asked to describe Upper Bern Township, Realtor Dave Mattes starts with two words: “Really rural.” Farmland, campgrounds and the petite Shartlesville community fill the township’s lower two-thirds, while the northern section consists of public hunting land and the Blue Mountain Range. “It’s for somebody who wants privacy, mountainside views, bucolic farms, woods, fields — the whole nine,” says Dave Mattes, a team leader with RE/MAX of Reading, who’s been selling homes in the area since 1995. Interstate 78 runs straight through the area and offers a quick trip to several retail giants just a few miles east. Amazon also operates a fulfillment center just off the freeway, providing job opportunities. “If you’re looking for country living yet want access to good amenities and services, it’s a nice place to live,” says Mattes.
Upper Bern is home to many farms and open fields between residential areas.
Mountain Springs Camping Resort in Upper Bern is a favorite for a weekend getaway.
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Outdoor opportunities around Shartlesville
Pennsylvania State Game Land No. 110 is a stretch of public parkland with hunting, fishing and mountaintop sights along the 2,000-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Green Acres Golf Course in the township’s southwest corner has offered an 18-hole course since 1965. And Shartlesville Community Park features three baseball and softball diamonds, a playground, a picnic pavilion and a bandstand just south of I-78.
Play a round with friends at Green Acres Golf Course in Upper Bern.
Shartlesville Community Park features space for family activities in
Upper Bern.
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Ranch-style homes starting at $350,000
Upper Bern Township has fewer than 600 homes, with many on generous plots of land. “You’re going to have mostly one-plus-acre lots,” says Mattes. These properties feature homes from the mid-1800s onward, though most were built since the mid-1900s. Manufactured homes typically sell for $75,000 to $150,000. Older National-style houses and bungalows in the town of Shartlesville usually go for $200,000 to $400,000. More spread-out, newer houses include ranch-style, split-level and colonials that tend to sell for $350,000 to $550,000. The market in the township is highly competitive, with homes usually selling just two weeks after listing. The CAP Index gives Upper Bern a crime score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Families flock to Upper Bern for large lots and space for kids to play.
Manufactured homes are found in the northern part of Upper Bern.
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Specialty courses at Hamburg Area High
Students may start at Tilden Elementary Center, which has a C-plus from Niche, before going to Hamburg Area Middle, which gets a C. Hamburg Area High earns a B-minus and offers career-related studies through specialty and dual enrollment courses.
Tilden Elementary Center in Upper Bern earns a C-plus from Niche.
Hamburg Area Middle School in Upper Bern holds a C rating from Niche.
Hamburg Area High School offers dual enrollment and specialty courses.
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Commuting into Allentown and Harrisburg
Upper Bern Township's rural layout makes the area car dependent. From the I-78 on-ramp in Shartlesville, commuters can travel 33 miles east to Allentown, while Harrisburg is 45 miles west. Geisinger St. Luke's, the closest hospital, is 9 miles north. Reading Regional Airport is 12 miles south.
Local stores and restaurants in the town of Shartlesville
A few independent eateries and shops operate around Shartlesville, including Blue Mountain Family Restaurant, which has been serving hearty American meals since 1990. Down the street, Kramer’s Korner is a convenience store with grocery items that also serves breakfast sandwiches, subs and burgers. Residents can also take I-78 6 miles east to Walmart Supercenter, Cabela’s, Lowe’s Home Improvement and a slew of chain restaurants.
Upper Bern is known for a variety of interesting antique shops.
One of the few local eateries in Upper Bern is Blue Mountain Family Restaurant.
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Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
Video By
Logan Cox
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ginger Parker,
an experienced agent in this area.
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