Country living in Washington, a peaceful Slate Belt township
Washington is a quiet township in the wooded foothills of Blue Mountain. Farmland and creeks fill this part of Northampton County, cradling the slightly busier boroughs of Roseto and Bangor. Endless ways to enjoy the outdoors are close to home, whether you’re sticking around the Slate Belt, driving into the Pocono Mountains or finding the corporate, cultural and healthcare centers of the Lehigh Valley. And while Washington Township’s scenic, rolling countryside may sometimes seem endless, you’re only about 20 minutes from Easton, 40 minutes from Allentown and two hours from Philadelphia and New York.
Single-family homes on acreage in Northampton County
Washington Township is a patchwork of rural homesteads and production farms. Super-commuters from bigger cities have helped increase prices and the number of homes in the foothills of Blue Mountain. You’ll see everything from century-old farmhouses to 1950s ranch-style houses to New Traditional estates along its country roads. “The appeal to Washington Township centers around quality of life and a little more affordability that you’d find in New Jersey or New York,” says James (Jim) Galligan, team lead at the Keller Williams Real Estate Galligan Realty Group, who’s served Northampton and Monroe counties for 25 years. “You’re going to find homes on an acre-plus. People looking out this way like a little privacy, because where they’re coming from is pretty congested.” Houses on less than an acre sell from the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$500,000s. Homes built on a small acreage range from the mid-$200,000s to the upper $700,000s, while houses on upward of a dozen acres can sell from the mid-$300,000s to the upper $800,000s.
Buyers often compare Washington Township to other communities in Northampton County. Plainfield, Upper Mount Bethel and Lower Mount Bethel offer a similar rural feel. The boroughs of Bangor, Roseto and Pen Argyl offer a more small-town feel.
Parks and rural recreation from the Slate Belt to the Poconos
You might go for a walk or do some trout fishing at The Meadows at Martins Creek. The Washington Township Recreation Complex is a more typical community park, home to a playground, athletic fields, sports courts, walking trails and an off-leash dog park. All kinds of private businesses offer ways to explore different hobbies, from the shooting ranges at Blue Mountain Rod and Gun Club to the equestrian facilities at Iron Gate Farm. You’re also within about 30 minutes from hiking, kayaking and skiing in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and greater Poconos region.
Country living near conveniences and community events
“We jokingly say you’re 20 minutes or so from most services. But, they’re all there, they’re close enough by,” Galligan says. “It’s still going to be where you have the feel of the country and some scenery with the convenience of being a half hour from the Lehigh Valley or the Poconos.” The settled, quiet lifestyle in Washington Township appeals to people looking for a quiet community to raise a family, commute to major cities from or retire in. Neighbors enjoy all kinds of events, from the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company’s Easter egg hunts to the Blue Mountain Antique Gas and Steam Engine Association’s regular festivals.
Attending schools in the Bangor Area School District
Washington Township is served by the Bangor Area School District. Kids can attend schools like Bangor Area High School. BAHS focuses on future planning by offering six career pathways, or groupings of coursework, that help students explore jobs and skills in sectors like health services and natural sciences.
Commuting to the Lehigh Valley, Philly and NYC
Commuters might drive to the smaller cities and boroughs of the Poconos and Lehigh Valley or to the major metropolitan areas along I-95. You’re about:
- 15 miles from Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg in Monroe County
- 15 miles from Easton in Northampton County
- 25 miles from Allentown in Lehigh County
- 60 miles from Trenton, New Jersey's capital
- 80 miles from Philadelphia and New York City
What kinds of services and utilities Washington Township offers
Homebuyers maintain some of their own utility systems and rely on their local government for the rest. "Our areas are typically using well and septic systems, but if you’re buying something in a borough, you get public water through the municipality,” Galligan says. Some subdivisions maintain shared water and sewage systems. Washington Township handles garbage and recycling pickups. Emergency services are provided by a professional local police department and two volunteer organizations, the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company and Blue Valley Rescue Squad.
Local shopping and dining close to bigger boroughs and cities
Although they’re scattered around the countryside, grocery stores, locally owned restaurants and specialty shops are all within Washington Township. You can stop into:
- Slate Belt Diner, for no-frills, homestyle cooking
- Tolino Vineyards and Winery, for drinks, food trucks and live music in the countryside
- Johnnie’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza, for dine-in and delivery staples
- Weis Markets, for grocery shopping
Bangor has a small business district centered around Broadway. You'll head to the larger cities and boroughs of the Poconos and Lehigh Valley for more walkable downtowns or big-box shopping.
![Alec Oswald]()
Photography Contributed By
Alec Oswald
