Whitehall

Situated just north of Allentown, Fullerton offers a blend of convenience to modern-day amenities and green spaces, located at the crossroads of US Route 22 and State Route 45 along the Lehigh River. Part of the Whitehall Township, the Pennsylvania neighborhood is a prime shopping destination in the Lehigh Valley as well as an escape for outdoor enthusiasts, combining commercial activity with beautiful parks. “Everything is really accessible in Fullerton,” says Mark Molchany, Realtor with RE/MAX, “You’ve got malls and highways in the heart of town and plenty of things to do.” Two malls are divided by Grape Street, including Lehigh Valley Mall, the ninth largest in the state, boasting nearly 150 stores. Right across the street is Whitehall Mall, a large open-air shopping center with several major retailers, like Kohl’s and Bed Bath & Beyond. The bustling commercial area is full of restaurants across a broad range of options, including fast food, popular national chains and local eateries. The Joint Coffee Co. provides a cozy space for a coffee break, while Pocono Brewing Co. Taproom offers something a little stronger just across the parking lot. More craft beer options are available at Keystone Pub & Grill, a local chain famous for its wings. Right next door is City View Diner, a favorite for breakfast, serving the community since the 1960s. The busy shopping area is intersected by two major highways, U.S. Route 22 and PA Route 145, allowing for convenient transportation throughout Allentown and the Lehigh Valley. Residents can get to Philadelphia or New York City within an hour and a half. Those looking for further travel need only cross the river to the Lehigh Valley Airport, just minutes away from the neighborhood, to catch regional and international flights. The malls and highways are surrounded by suburban residential subdivisions. Most homes are located on quarter-acre lots with generous lawns and backyards. Ranch homes from the 1950s are the most common throughout Fullerton, though contemporary colonial-style examples on larger properties are found on the outskirts of the neighborhood. Condos and townhouses round out the housing inventory for those looking for less space, many of which are located within walking distance of commercial areas. Prices for real estate range between $135,000 and $500,000, depending on square footage. According to the CAP Index, Fullerton earns a crime score of 4 out of a possible 10, which is comparable to the US national average. Fullerton Community Center offers residents plenty of outdoor activities. Locals can enjoy gathering at the community pool during the warm summer months, and kids may burn energy at the park’s shady playground or play basketball at the courts. The park also features several little league ballfields and a football field used by the Fullerton Ramblers. The Ramblers hold a carnival every year at the park, a highly anticipated event with rides, vendors, live music and fireworks. More outdoor recreation is found at Jordan Park, which has a pool, playground, and skate park. It’s set along Jordan Creek, where locals can fish for trout or relax and enjoy the water views. The creek extends through nearby Jordan Creek Parkway, a popular spot to stroll through woodsy trails, play disc golf or grow plants in the community garden. The Whitehall-Coplay School District serves Fullerton, with all five of its schools set up right next to each other. Clarence M Gockley Elementary School serves kindergarten and first grade, earning a B grade from Niche. Second and third graders attend George D Steckel Elementary before advancing to Zephyr Elementary for fourth and fifth grade. Both schools receive a B-minus Niche score. C-plus-rated Whitehall-Coplay Middle School feeds into Whitehall High School, which maintains a B-minus rating and features an outstanding performing arts program. Since 2006, the program has won dozens of Freddy Awards, which honors regional high schools on live TV.

Named for an early 1900s cement quarry and mill, Cementon is a concrete choice for homebuyers seeking a slow-paced suburban lifestyle with proximity to Allentown. Situated on the Lehigh River, 1,500 residents call this Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania community home. “People move there because it’s a suburb of Allentown with good neighborhoods,” says Rami Mamari, a Realtor with Mountain Top Real Estate, who is a longtime area resident. “It’s a great location. You’re in the middle of urban and rural. If you go 15 minutes south, you’re in Allentown. If you go 15 minutes north, you have skiing at Blue Mountain Resort.” Those looking to move to Cementon will primarily find houses built from the late 1800s to the present day. They come in a range of styles including ranch homes, Colonial Revivals and Cape Cods with rooftop dormer windows. Properties typically rest along sidewalk-lined streets with manicured lots adorned with established shrubbery and ornamental trees. A cozy three-bedroom, two-bath cottage could cost around $250,000, while a more spacious four-bedroom, four-bathroom may sell in the low-$400,000s. “It’s still a strong market here,” Mamari says. “Most things sell within three to 15 days. A lot of that is because of low inventory.” Public school students may attend Zephyr Elementary, Whitehall-Coplay Middle and Whitehall High. The elementary and high schools both earn B Niche grades, while the middle school scores a B-minus. Home of the Zephyrs, the high school boasts a state-award-winning marching band. From CVS to Redner’s Markets, Cementon residents have easy access to nationally known and regional chains in Northampton, which is just 1 mile east via Route 329. For dining out, Angel’s Pizza, on MacArthur Road, is a local favorite for its king-sized slices of New York-style pie. Be sure to save room for dessert because Just Chill Creamery is located a few doors down. It’s the go-to spot for residents to grab a house-made waffle cone for themselves or a “pup cup” for their four-legged friend. At Cementon Park on Dewey Street, locals can shoot some hoops, play a game of pickleball or cool off in the pool during the summer months. Riverwalk Park, on Front Street, offers a traditional playground for kids to romp around and a section of the 140-mile D&L Trail runs through it, making it a popular spot for walkers and bikers alike. Other pastimes include crossing the Woodward Bridge into Northampton to catch a music concert or the latest flick at the Roxy Theatre, a 1920s movie palace on Main Street. With a quick 7-mile trip south via Route 145, entertainment on a larger scale awaits in Allentown, where residents can watch the Lehigh Valley Phantoms professional ice hockey team play at the PPL Center on Hampton Street or support local farmers and food vendors at the indoor Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market on West Chew Street. The farmers’ market is open year-round on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A day of skiing or snow tubing can be had at Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, which is 11 miles north by way of Blue Mountain Drive.

It’s a long way from the pyramids, but like its namesake, the community of Egypt in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, is ancient by American standards. Settled in 1733, many historic homes here still remain. In addition to the storied architecture, the 2,500 residents who call Egypt home relish the slower-paced lifestyle and proximity to the city of Allentown. “Egypt is a tiny little town. It has the older architecture like a lot of communities around here,” says Jamie Achberger, a Realtor with EXP Realty, who has been selling homes in the area for 14 years. “It has a country feel, but you’re close enough to everything you need. One of the draws is that it falls in one of the desirable school districts.” Those looking to move to Egypt will primarily find houses built from the late 1800s to the present day. They come in a range of styles including Colonial Revivals, ranch homes and farmhouses. Properties commonly rest along sidewalk-lined streets with spacious quarter-acre lots adorned with mature maple and oak trees that are common to the area. A cozy two-bedroom, 2-bath cottage could be found for $200,000 while a more spacious four-bedroom, 2-bath may run in the high-$300,000s. “Homes are still moving quickly there,” Achberger says. “If they are priced right, they’ll sell within a week or two. The inventory is low. That’s the driving factor. People still need places to live.” Public school students may attend Zephyr Elementary, Whitehall-Coplay Middle and Whitehall High. The elementary and high schools both earn B Niche grades, while the middle school scores a B-minus. Home of the Zephyrs, the high school boasts a state-award-winning marching band. Mom-and-pop establishments, such as Wild Cherry Supermarket and Riley’s Restaurant & Pub are interspersed between homes on Egypt’s walkable Main Street. Riley’s is a local favorite for live music and regular specials, such as 50-cent wings and $2 draft beers. The community gathering place originally served as the Egypt Hotel, which was built in 1790. King Kone, on Springmill Road, is the go-to spot for residents to grab an ice cream sundae for themselves or a “puppy sundae” for their four-legged friends. For outdoor fun, residents head to Egypt Memorial Park on Main Street. At the 17-acre park, locals can shoot some hoops, watch their kids frolic on the playground or root for the Orioles, a local amateur league baseball team. Whitehall Parkway, on MacArthur Road, offers hiking and biking trails that wind through woods and lead visitors to an abandoned quarry and the ruins of a late 1800s cement plant. And with a quick 10-mile drive south on Pennsylvania Route 145, entertainment on a larger scale awaits in Allentown.

Homebuyers seeking suburban comforts and proximity to Allentown may find Stiles to be just their style. The 1,000 residents who call this Whitehall Township community home, enjoy the area’s walking and biking trails and being minutes from familiar retailers and festivities in downtown Allentown. “It’s a very, very small community. It’s mostly all single-family homes. People like it because it’s near Lehigh Valley Mall,” says Cliff Lewis, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Hearthside, who has been selling homes in the area for 17 years. “It’s a great location. You’re very close to all kinds of shopping and dining. You have easy access to downtown Allentown, which is really undergoing a revitalization. There are great restaurants and a new sports arena for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ice hockey team.” Those looking to move to Stiles will primarily find homes built from the late 1800s to the modern day. They come in a range of styles including Colonial Revivals, ranch houses and contemporary homes with two-car garages. Properties typically rest along sidewalk-lined streets with spacious quarter-acre lots adorned by established shrubbery and ornamental trees. A 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom home could be found in the low-$300,000s, while a four-bedroom that’s twice as big may run in the low-$400,000s. “It’s still a strong market here. If homes are priced right and in good condition, they sell within days,” Lewis says. “The average days-on-market right now is 18. Low inventory is the primary driver.” Public school students may attend George D. Steckel Elementary, Whitehall-Coplay Middle and Whitehall High. The elementary and high schools both earn B Niche grades, while the middle school scores a B-minus. Home of the Zephyrs, the high school boasts a state-award-winning marching band. Stiles is almost entirely residential. However, Lehigh Valley Mall, which hosts a Macy’s anchor store, and other nationally known retailers such as Aldi discount grocery and Walmart Supercenter can be found less than 5 miles away via Route 145 South. For eating out, Coplay Eatery and Thai Diner are interspersed between single-family homes on Chestnut Street. Patrons can expect playful and decadent dishes, such as “disco fries” and “the heart attack sandwich” at Coplay, while Thai Diner offers traditional Thai favorites with mild flavoring to it’ll-make-you-sweat hot. Outdoor fun awaits at Stiles Park on South 4th Avenue. At the 5-acre park, residents can shoot some hoops, play a game of tennis or relax on a bench and watch their kids exhaust themselves on the playground. A section of the 9-mile Ironton Rail Trail runs through Stiles. The former Ironton Railroad track has been transformed into a paved trail that’s popular among walkers, runners and bikers alike. And with a quick 5-mile trip south via Route 145, entertainment on a larger scale awaits in Allentown. Popular pastimes include catching a Lehigh Valley Phantoms professional ice hockey game at PPL Center on Hamilton Street or supporting local farmers and food vendors at the indoor Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market on West Chew Street. The farmers' market is open year-round on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

West Catasauqua is a small suburban community with green spaces and sidewalk-lined streets tucked between the Lehigh River and the hustle and bustle of the MacArthur Corridor. “West Catasauqua is kind of off the beaten path,” says Rob McCann, an Owner and Broker of Assist 2 Sell who has been selling homes in the area for over 25 years. “But you’re still close to everything and have access to shopping without being in the thick of a city-type area.” The community is separated from the rest of the Catasauqua borough by the Lehigh River, but the MacArthur Corridor connects residents to the rest of the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Residential streets are arranged in a triangle-shaped grid and feature a collection of ranch-style, Colonial Revival and twin homes built around the early 1900s. Most homes offer street parking in the front and a garage or driveway in the back. Prices range from around $135,000 to $310,000, depending on the size and condition of the home. Further north, Haven Ridge is a contemporary townhome development where homebuyers can find three-bedroom units ranging from about $310,000 to $405,000. According to the CAP Index, the neighborhood has an overall Crime Score of 4. West Catasauqua is centrally located off Route 145 – also known as MacArthur Road. “If you go just south, you’ll get to Allentown,” McCann says. Residents are also about 63 miles north of Philadelphia. The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority provides local bus service to the community, making several stops on Pine Street before traveling to the Whitehall Mall, Allentown, Bethlehem and beyond. The Lehigh Valley International Airport is about 4 miles east and offers domestic flights. Big-box retailers and fast-food joints line the western border of the neighborhood along MacArthur Road. “That’s where all the malls, Wawas and fast-food spots are,” McCann says. Residents can run errands at Walmart, Giant, Big Lots and more. Outside of chains like Burger King and Panera Bread, dining options in West Catasauqua are limited. Locally owned restaurants include The Burger Shack, a casual spot where locals can pile into vinyl booths and enjoy fresh burgers stuffed with everything from cheese to mushrooms. More retail options are available at the nearby Whitehall Mall and Lehigh Valley Mall. West Catasauqua Playground sits in the center of the community. The green space features tennis courts, a basketball court, a ballfield and a playset for kids to explore. The Ironton Rail Trail runs parallel to the Lehigh River, and an entrance along Water Street is less than a mile from most homes in the neighborhood. Residents can walk, run or bike along the nine-mile-long paved path while exploring abandoned sections of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Children attend the Whitehall-Coplay School District, consisting of five schools on a 143-acre campus less than 2 miles from West Catasauqua. Kids in grades K-1 begin their education at Clarence M. Gockley Elementary School, which earned a B from Niche. Children in grades 2-3 attend George D. Steckel Elementary School before moving on to Zephyr Elementary School for grades 4-5, with both schools earning a B-minus. Older kids attend the C-plus-rated Whitehall-Coplay Middle School and B-minus-rated Whitehall High School. The district follows a one-on-one technology initiative and provides a Chromebook to all students in grades K-12. The Ironton Rail Trail hosts races, walks and community festivities. Popular events include the bi-annual Ironton Historical Walk, which is about 7 miles long and highlights the area’s industrial history. The walk includes stops at 23 historical sites, and locals can see abandoned cement kilns, limestone quarries and more along the way.