Upper Mount Bethel

Almost perfectly between the Poconos and Lehigh County, Upper Mount Bethel Township is a rural area that rests on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania border. The township is the oldest part of Northampton County and along with Bangor, Wind Gap, Pen Argyl and Portland, is part of the geographic area known as the Slate Belt, earning its name from its history in slate quarrying. “We are still very much a rural township," says Brooke Kerzner, the managing broker with Iron Valley Real Estate Pocono and former mayor of the neighboring Bangor Township. “It is blue collar and farming, but that is what the people want. The town's residents have fought off some development companies that want to build on the land, so we will see how long that lasts.” Driving through the winding hills of Pennsylvania, it could seem that nobody lives within miles. While developers hunt for undeveloped land, there is currently a vast amount of open space in the township. Ranch styles and cottages come in pockets along main thoroughfares. More hidden and in new developments are expansive brick New Traditional Colonial Revivals on spacious lots. Prices range from $130,000 to $1.3 million, but buyers can expect a three-bedroom ranch-style to go for about $400,000, while a six-bedroom colonial Revival will rise to approximately $650,000. “Houses move quickly in Upper Mount Bethel because the inventory is so low,” Kerzner says. Children in Upper Mount Bethel attend the Bangor Area School District, which grades a C-plus on Niche. The district serves almost 3,000 students in the Boroughs of Bangor, East Bangor, Portland, Roseto, Upper Mount Bethel Township, Washington Township, and most of Lower Mount Bethel Township. Students begin their education at Five Points Elementary for kindergarten through second grade, go to Washington Elementary for third and fourth grade, and then to DeFranco Elementary for fifth and sixth grade. Eventually, they head to Bangor Area Middle and Bangor Area High School to wrap up their education. While Five Points does not receive a grade from Niche, the other two elementary schools score a B, while the middle and high schools grade a B-minus. The high school’s marching band, the Slater Band, is award-winning and has played around the United States, including a trip to the Gator Bowl Parade in Florida. Spanning 10 acres and maintained by Northampton County, Portland Waterfront is on the banks of the Delaware River and is one of the last places in the township. The park provides picnic tables with scenic views of the water and is a connection point to multiple walking trails. One option is the Portland-Columbia Pedestrian Bridge, which is the last wooden covered bridge constructed across the Delaware River in 1869 and allows hikers to walk into New Jersey across the river. For more hiking options, the Columcille Megalith Park is a Celtic-inspired green space with 90 stone settings placed throughout the 20 acres of the park and is accessed by trails that are part of the Appalachian Trail. Being a rural area, it is a little bit of a drive to find any retail location. Upper Mount Bethel has a Dollar General along North Delaware Drive, which provides wallet-friendly grocery options. A short drive into Bangor, residents can head to a Weis Market for a chain grocery option. Known for its home-cooked meals, Mount Bethel Diner is a favorite spot for some locals, and the 5 Points Grill & Pub has a relaxed atmosphere for a burger and a brew. For something out of the box, Hardball Cider is dog-friendly and serves food in a picturesque atmosphere, along with its collection of ciders, beers, and wine. PA-191, PA-512 and PA-611 are the only state routes in the township. PA-191 runs north-to-south in the western portion of the township, PA-512 runs east-to-west through the middle part, and PA-611 is a north-to-south route in the eastern portion. Interstate 80 can be accessed in the east portion of the township, and the roadway runs across the country from Teaneck, N.J. to San Francisco, Calif.