Williams Township

Lower Saucon Township trails back to the 1700s along the fertile land along Saucon Creek. Still known as a farming area, it is also now a key member of the thriving Lehigh Valley metropolitan area. The township's access to major roads and Interstate 78, which passes through the neighborhood, makes it easy to get to Allentown and Easton — both around 10 miles away. While its location is helpful for those working in those places, associate broker Rebecca L. Francis says the area's natural beauty makes it a wonderful place to live. "This is a rural area of Pennsylvania, so we're talking rolling hills, corn fields, horse farms and agriculture." Francis specializes in Lehigh Valley and runs her own team with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. Spanning a few different townships below the iconic steelmaking city, Outer South Bethlehem, Lower Saucon Township features a variety of places to live. "There are some nice little neighborhoods tucked between the fields and hills. Some of these are newer homes. Then, of course, you'll find some older homes and farmhouses that are a bit more historic." With limited housing supply and great demand in the community, the median home sales price has increased 10% in the last 12 months. A nearly 2,000-square-foot farmhouse on half an acre was recently valued at around $300,000; a 3,000-square-foot cottage close to Hellertown was listed for about $500,000; and a two-bedroom bungalow on 9 acres went up for around $650,000. The higher the square footage, acreage, or both, the higher the home prices by over a million. Saucon Valley School District serves students in this townships. Saucon Valley Elementary School, Saucon Valley Middle School and Saucon Valley High School are all located on the same campus just outside the borough of Hellertown. Further to the east, in the more rural section of the community, students attend schools in the Wilson School District. Niche gives both school systems an A with high marks for academics, college readiness and the quality of their teachers. "Lower Saucon Township is popular among bikers who enjoy pedaling up and down the landscape's hills," Francis says. The Saucon Rail Trail runs from Upper to Lower Saucon Township for 7.5 miles. A portion of its multi-use path leads to an unstructured meadow where native plant species grow freely, and bees hop along flowers. The local Polk Valley Park has public sports fields, a playground and a dog park. Along the township's eastern edge, friends enjoy friendly competition within the wooded South Mountain Disc Golf Course. Five miles away in the Bethlehem community, the Saucon Valley Country Club boasts three 18-hole championship courses and a novice-level, six-hole course. Club members reap numerous other benefits and privileges, including access to four swimming pools. Even in its remote setting, the area is still near an array of shops and eateries. GIANT is centrally located on Leithsville Road for grocery hauls. Some farms also invite guests and offer their homegrown goods on location. At the local Black River Farms on Black River Road, visitors can sample wines made with grapes from its vineyard or savor spirits like Saucon Valley Rye and Peanut Butter Whiskey. Yianni's Taverna on Old Philadelphia Pike offers an upscale dining experience, with menu items like braised lamb shank over orzo. Just north, Hellertown has an array of eateries lining Main Street. Six miles from home, The Promenade Shops off Center Valley Parkway offers an AMC Theater and box chains like American Eagle Outfitters. Black River Farm hosts various events, including Yoga and Wine Unwind on Saturday mornings and pop-ups like the Gather & Graze Charcuterie Workshop. They're also a venue for live music on the weekends. As the area is vast and rural, cars are important here, and though bikes are used for recreation, they're not a method for getting around. The nearest international airport is Lehigh Valley International, around 12 miles north via Pennsylvania Route 378. St. Luke's University Hospital is about 6 miles from home along Wassergrass Road.