By The Rebecca Francis Team
People who move to the Lehigh Valley from Philadelphia, New York, or New Jersey often say the same thing after a few months: they can't believe they waited this long. The region offers something that's genuinely hard to find on the East Coast right now — a strong quality of life, a reasonable cost of living, four full seasons, an actual food and arts scene, and enough geographic range that different buyers can find entirely different versions of what they're looking for here. After years of helping buyers find their place in this market, we've heard what keeps people here. Here's what residents consistently love most.
Key Takeaways
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84% of Lehigh Valley residents rated the region an excellent or good place to live in the 2025 Lehigh Valley Quality of Life Survey
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The region sits roughly 60 miles north of Philadelphia and 80 miles west of the New Jersey border, with easy access to I-78, Route 309, and Route 22
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Upper Saucon Township and Lower Saucon Township represents the southern anchor of Lehigh and Northampton Counties — bedroom communities with a rural feel, top-rated schools, and access to every metropolitan amenity without living inside a city.
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Musikfest, SteelStacks, the PPL Center, the Easton Farmers' Market, and the Saucon Rail Trail are among the region's most cited quality-of-life features
The Location Advantage
Ask almost any Lehigh Valley resident what they love about living here and location comes up within the first two sentences. The valley sits at a genuinely useful intersection of geography — close enough to Philadelphia and New York that both cities are a real option for a day or a night out, but removed enough that daily life doesn't carry the density, cost, or pace of either.
Upper Saucon Township, which includes Center Valley and serves as home base for much of our work with buyers, illustrates this balance particularly well. It's approximately 60 miles north of Philadelphia, 80 miles east of Harrisburg, and 15 to 20 minutes from Allentown, Bethlehem, Quakertown, and the New Jersey border. Routes 309, 78, and 22 converge near the township, making commuting in multiple directions practical. Lower Saucon Township, contiguous to the Upper Saucon area, includes Hellertown and is situated directly south of Bethlehem and the Lehigh River. The area known as “Saucon Valley” informally extends from Hellertown and Lower Saucon into Upper Saucon, Center Valley, Coopersburg, and the Saucon Valley Country Club area.
The result is a community that functions like a true bedroom community in the best sense — quiet, established neighborhoods and a genuine rural feel, with every urban convenience accessible on a reasonable drive.
Upper Saucon Township, which includes Center Valley and serves as home base for much of our work with buyers, illustrates this balance particularly well. It's approximately 60 miles north of Philadelphia, 80 miles east of Harrisburg, and 15 to 20 minutes from Allentown, Bethlehem, Quakertown, and the New Jersey border. Routes 309, 78, and 22 converge near the township, making commuting in multiple directions practical. Lower Saucon Township, contiguous to the Upper Saucon area, includes Hellertown and is situated directly south of Bethlehem and the Lehigh River. The area known as “Saucon Valley” informally extends from Hellertown and Lower Saucon into Upper Saucon, Center Valley, Coopersburg, and the Saucon Valley Country Club area.
The result is a community that functions like a true bedroom community in the best sense — quiet, established neighborhoods and a genuine rural feel, with every urban convenience accessible on a reasonable drive.
The Neighborhoods
The Lehigh Valley spans a range of community types, from the dense downtowns of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton to the spacious, wooded residential neighborhoods of Upper Saucon Township and the surrounding southeastern Lehigh County corridor. Buyers who've moved from denser markets typically land in the latter category — and they're rarely disappointed by what they find.
Popular neighborhoods in Upper Saucon Township:
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Valley Green — an established neighborhood with well-spaced lots and a quiet residential character
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Weyhill Woods — among the most sought-after addresses in the township, known for larger custom homes, wooded lots, and a prestigious neighborhood feel
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Weyhill Estates and The Estates at Saucon Valley — two of the area’s newer, higher end neighborhoods, known for upscale homes on generous neighborhood lots with convenient access to local parks, Southern Lehigh schools, and the Saucon Rail Trail
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Sunrise Valley — a well-regarded residential community with convenient access to the township's main corridors
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Curly Horse — a distinctive neighborhood with a rural character and significant lot sizes
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Blue Ridge Estates — elevated positions and views that reflect the rolling landscape Upper Saucon is known for
These neighborhoods sit within the Southern Lehigh School District, which is consistently well-regarded for its academic performance and extracurricular programs — a significant factor for families choosing where to put down roots.
The Outdoor Life
Lehigh Valley has more trail mileage, parkland, and accessible outdoor recreation than most people realize before they arrive. The Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor alone spans 165 miles of rail trails, with 48 miles passing through the Lehigh Valley. Residents who want to be active year-round have genuinely good options without leaving the region.
Outdoor highlights residents consistently mention:
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The Saucon Rail Trail: A 7.5-mile paved trail connecting Hellertown to Coopersburg through Hellertown, Lower Saucon Township, Upper Saucon Township, and Coopersburg. Built on the former North Penn Railroad corridor, it has a gentle grade suited for walking, jogging, and cycling. Four parks along the route offer parking, restrooms, and athletic facilities, including Upper Saucon Township Community Park and Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park
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Saucon Valley Country Club: For a certain buyer, the Club is a defining amenity — a prestigious golf and lifestyle club with three 18-hole courses as well as a 6-hole course, drawing residents and out-of-area members alike to the township
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Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: A premier destination for birdwatching and hiking, particularly during fall raptor migration
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Delaware Water Gap and the Lehigh Gorge: More ambitious hiking, kayaking, and outdoor recreation within a short drive
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South Mountain Big Rock Park: More local trails within the Upper Saucon area for residents who want to walk or hike without driving far
The Food and Dining Scene
The Lehigh Valley's dining scene has grown considerably and now supports a real range — from casual neighborhood spots that become permanent fixtures for local families to farm-to-table restaurants and a food hall culture in both Allentown and Easton.
What residents in the Upper Saucon and Saucon Valley area are eating and drinking:
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Spring Valley Inn: A longstanding local favorite near Upper Saucon, known for consistent quality and a loyal local following
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The Coopersburg Diner: A classic Pennsylvania diner that anchors the town and draws the kind of regular crowd that forms around a place people trust
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The Inside Scoop: The ice cream destination that locals know by name — a reliable stop after the Saucon Rail Trail or a summer afternoon at the park
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Copperhead Grill: A neighborhood favorite with a comfortable atmosphere and consistent appeal
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The Promenade Shoppes at Saucon Valley: The outdoor lifestyle center along Center Valley Parkway anchors the area's upscale retail and dining — home to The Fresh Market, Athleta, Barnes and Noble, and a range of restaurants and entertainment options
Farther afield, the Easton Farmers' Market — established in 1752 and one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the country — draws residents from across the valley on weekends. Bethlehem's restaurant scene along Main Street has developed meaningfully in recent years, and downtown Allentown's food hall at the Renaissance Hotel brings diverse options to the city center.
The Culture and Events
Musikfest alone could justify a section here. Bethlehem's annual festival — the nation's largest free, non-gated music festival, voted Best Music Festival in the United States by USA Today — runs for 10 days each August and draws more than a million visitors to the city's historic downtown. In 2026, Musikfest runs July 31 through August 9. For residents, it's a summer tradition.
Culture and events residents cite most often:
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Musikfest (Bethlehem, August): Ten days of 300+ performers across multiple stages, with local food vendors and the full energy of a city that genuinely celebrates the event
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SteelStacks: The ArtsQuest arts campus built on the site of Bethlehem Steel, hosting concerts, festivals, film screenings, and cultural programming year-round
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PPL Center (Allentown): The arena hosts the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers), major concerts, and events throughout the year
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Christkindlmarkt (Bethlehem, December): Bethlehem's nationally recognized holiday market runs each December and draws visitors from across the region and beyond
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Allentown Art Museum: More than 11,000 works spanning American, European, and contemporary collections
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Crayola Experience (Easton): A family institution — the interactive attraction built on Crayola's Easton headquarters draws families from across the Northeast
The Schools
For families, the Southern Lehigh School District and the Saucon Valley School District are primary draws to Upper and Lower Saucon Townships and the Saucon Valley area. The district consistently earns strong academic ratings and are highly regarded public school districts in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
DeSales University, located in Center Valley and anchoring the intellectual life of the township, also contributes meaningfully to the community's character — providing continuing education options, cultural programming, and a campus presence that adds to the area's appeal.
DeSales University, located in Center Valley and anchoring the intellectual life of the township, also contributes meaningfully to the community's character — providing continuing education options, cultural programming, and a campus presence that adds to the area's appeal.
FAQ
What makes Upper Saucon and Lower Saucon Townships different from other Lehigh Valley communities?
Upper and Lower Saucon Townships combine a genuine rural feel with every urban convenience within a short drive. The township is home to some of the Lehigh Valley's most established and desirable residential neighborhoods, serves the top-rated Southern Lehigh School District and Saucon Valley School District, and sits near the intersections of Routes 78, 309, 378 and 33 for practical commuting in multiple directions. The Promenade Shoppes, Saucon Valley Country Club, and the Saucon Rail Trail give residents strong local amenities without needing to leave the township for daily life.
How far is the Lehigh Valley from Philadelphia and New York City?
Upper and Lower Saucon Townships sit approximately 60 miles north of Philadelphia and 80 miles east of Harrisburg. New York City is accessible via I-78 east and typically runs about 90 minutes without traffic. The location allows residents to access both metro areas for work or leisure while living at a pace and cost point that neither city offers.
Is the Lehigh Valley a good place to raise a family?
Consistently, yes. The Southern Lehigh School District and the Saucon Valley School District are among the most highly regarded in the Valley. The township's neighborhoods feature established, family-oriented residential character. Parks, trails, and community events are plentiful. And the 2025 Lehigh Valley Quality of Life Survey found that 84% of residents rate the region as an excellent or good place to live — a number that holds up among residents who've lived here longest.
Find Your Home in Lehigh Valley With The Rebecca Francis Team
We've spent years helping buyers find the right fit in this market — from established neighborhoods in Upper Saucon and Lower Saucon Townships, to properties throughout Saucon Valley, Bethlehem, and the broader Lehigh Valley. At The Rebecca Francis Team, we know this region well. Reach out to us to learn more about how we work with buyers across the Lehigh Valley and let's start looking.
