By The Rebecca Francis Team
We spend a lot of time talking about the Lehigh Valley's real estate market — the prices, the inventory, the trends. What we do not always say loudly enough is why this place draws people in and holds onto them. Rebecca grew up in the Saucon Valley, and our team is made up of people who live across the communities we serve. We are not just selling homes here. We are raising our children, coaching soccer teams, and sitting on porch swings in the same neighborhoods our clients are choosing. When people ask us what makes the Lehigh Valley special, this is what we actually say.
Key Takeaways
- The Lehigh Valley sits roughly 60 miles from Philadelphia and 80 miles from New York City — connected without the cost or density of either
- Upper Saucon Township and southern Lehigh County offer rural character, excellent schools, and easy regional access in one package
- Lower Saucon Township offers a scenic blend of rural beauty, historic charm, upscale neighborhoods, and convenient access to Bethlehem, Hellertown, major routes, parks, and the Saucon Rail Trail.
- The region's arts, dining, and outdoor recreation consistently surprise people who arrive expecting a quiet suburb
- Lehigh Valley real estate offers a level of luxury value that is genuinely difficult to match anywhere else in the Northeast
Location That Actually Works
The Lehigh Valley's geography is one of its most underappreciated assets. Upper Saucon and Lower Saucon Townships sit on the southern most edge of Lehigh and Northampton Counties — roughly 60 miles from Philadelphia, accessible to the New Jersey border in 15 to 20 minutes via I-78, and positioned along Route 309 and US Route 22 in a way that keeps the region well-connected without sacrificing the feel of genuine open space.
For remote workers, this location is close to ideal. There is enough distance from the city for affordability and a deliberate pace of life, and enough proximity that a day trip to Philadelphia or New York stays manageable. Lehigh Valley International Airport adds direct flight access to major national destinations, and Amtrak service from Allentown connects the region to Philadelphia and New York Penn Station.
What makes the Lehigh Valley's location work:
- 15 to 20 minutes from Allentown, Bethlehem, and the New Jersey border from Upper Saucon
- Easy access to PA Route 309, I-78, and US Route 22
- Lehigh Valley International Airport with direct flights to major U.S. cities
- Proximity to Philadelphia and New York without the cost of either
The Character of the Communities
What draws people to Upper and Lower Saucon Townships is the combination of residential character and access to everything the larger Valley offers. Neighborhoods like Valley Green, Weyhill Estates, Saddle Ridge, and Blue Ridge Estates have the feel of established communities: mature trees, neighbors who know each other, and Southern Lehigh School District and Saucon Valley School District — consistently ranked among the region's top public school systems.
Saucon Valley Country Club anchors the social and recreational life of the area in a way communities of this size rarely enjoy. The Promenade Shoppes at Saucon Valley brings upscale retail and dining within easy reach. And for those who want to step away from the car entirely, the Saucon Rail Trail runs 7.5 miles from Hellertown toward Quakertown through scenery that holds up across all four seasons.
What defines southern Lehigh communities:
- Established neighborhoods with mature landscaping and Southern Lehigh School District
- Saucon Valley Country Club as a genuine community anchor
- The Saucon Rail Trail: 7.5 miles, multi-use, Hellertown to Quakertown
- The Promenade Shoppes and local favorites like Spring Valley Inn and Copperhead Grill for everyday dining
Arts, History, and a Downtown That Delivers
Bethlehem is the Lehigh Valley's most distinctive cultural asset. The SteelStacks arts campus, built on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel plant, hosts Musikfest each August — one of the largest free outdoor music festivals in the country — along with Christkindlmarkt and year-round ArtsQuest programming. Historic Hotel Bethlehem sits on a Main Street named the number one Main Street in America by USA Today, and the Moravian Church Settlements have been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Da Vinci Science Center, PPL Center arena, and the Crayola Experience in Easton round out a cultural offering that surprises most people who arrive expecting a quiet Pennsylvania suburb. Allentown's Hamilton District and downtown Easton have both seen meaningful revitalization in recent years, adding restaurants, galleries, and small businesses that bring genuine urban energy close to home.
Lehigh Valley cultural anchors:
- SteelStacks and ArtsQuest: Musikfest, Christkindlmarkt, and year-round programming
- Historic Hotel Bethlehem on America's top-ranked Main Street
- Moravian Church Settlements: a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Da Vinci Science Center, PPL Center, and the Crayola Experience in Easton
Outdoor Recreation That Goes Beyond the Backyard
The Lehigh Valley's outdoor life has grown significantly as trail systems and greenways connect communities across the region. The D&L National Heritage Corridor stretches over 160 miles from the Delaware Water Gap to Bristol along the historic canal. Lehigh County parks support running, cycling, hiking, and paddling without leaving the region.
Four genuine seasons — not the mild coastal climate of the mid-Atlantic — mean skiing at Blue Mountain and Camelback in winter, peak foliage in October, and the kind of spring and summer that remind you why Pennsylvania earned its reputation as a beautiful state.
Outdoor life in the Lehigh Valley:
- Saucon Rail Trail: 7.5 miles, Hellertown to Quakertown, all skill levels
- D&L National Heritage Corridor: 160-plus miles connecting the Lehigh Valley to the Delaware River
- Blue Mountain and Camelback: both within an hour of Upper Saucon for winter recreation
- Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown: summer programming for families
FAQs
Why are so many people relocating to the Lehigh Valley right now?
The combination of affordability relative to Philadelphia and New York, strong quality of life, excellent schools, and the flexibility remote work has given high-income households to relocate has driven sustained interest in the Valley. People who leave metropolitan markets often discover that what they expected to give up — cultural programming, dining, outdoor recreation — is available here at a fraction of the cost.
What makes Upper and Lower Saucon Townships different from other Lehigh Valley communities?
Both Upper Saucon and Lower Saucon offer a mix of lower density, larger lot sizes, that are harder to find closer to Allentown or Bethlehem. Combined with access to Saucon Valley Country Club and proximity to Bethlehem's dining and arts scene, it functions as the Valley's quiet prestige address.
Is the Lehigh Valley a good place to raise a family?
Yes — particularly in the Saucon Valley communities. Southern Lehigh and Saucon Valley School Districts have a strong academic reputation, the outdoor infrastructure is genuinely robust, and neighborhoods like Valley Green, Weyhill Estates, and Saddle Ridge support the kind of close-knit community life families move here specifically to find. Our own families are here, and that matters.
Find Your Home in the Lehigh Valley With The Rebecca Francis Team
Our team lives and works in the communities we represent, and we bring genuine enthusiasm for this region to every client conversation. Whether you are moving from the Philadelphia suburbs, relocating from out of state, or looking to upgrade within the Valley, we would love to show you what makes this market worth choosing.
Reach out to us, learn more about our work across the Lehigh Valley luxury real estate market and let's start a conversation.
