Lehigh Valley is a charming and picturesque metropolitan area in Eastern Pennsylvania, the kind of place that attracts homebuyers of all walks of life—including retirees. The third-largest city in the Valley, Allentown, has been said to be one of the best places to live in the U.S. This city underwent an architectural renaissance some years back and is renowned for its charming downtown, quality of life, commitment to healthy lifestyles, and affordable cost of living. Here are five of the lowest-priced active adult communities in the surrounding area worth looking into.
Red Hill Estates – Red Hill, PA
Below $100k – Mid $100s
The 260 single-family homes of Red Hill Estates were completed in 2003. This community is located about 20 miles south of Allentown and just outside of Green Lane Park and Reservoir. This intimate 55+ community located in Montgomery County offers budget-friendly homes, exterior maintenance provided by a homeowners’ association (HOA), and ample amounts of privacy.
Red Hill Estates features two ranch-style models at 1,120 and 1,493 square feet. These homes have three to four bedrooms and two bathrooms, with one-car garages or carports. Additional features in some homes include spacious master suites with walk-in closets, gas fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, eat-in kitchens, rear decks, and covered front patios. Residents can also spend time at the private clubhouse, which has a comfortable gathering room. There are also parks, natural space, and walking and biking trails on the grounds.
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The Village at Upstream Farm – Easton, PA
Mid $100s – High $100s
If you are looking to downsize, The Village at Upstream Farm is an intimate community of 124 resale attached homes 20 miles northeast of Allentown. The reasonably monthly HOA fee covers lawn care, landscaping, and snow removal, leaving more time to spend with family and friends. This gated 55+ community, built from 2002 to 2009, is near Bushkill Creek, Penn’s Ridge Park, as well as a shopping center with grocery stores and other conveniences.
The three ranch-style floor plans range from 991 to 1,180 square feet with one to two bedrooms, one to one-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached one-car garages. Features like patios with retractable awnings and updated kitchens are also options in some homes. The Village at Upstream Farm also has a welcoming clubhouse where homeowners can gather to socialize or meet their fitness goals in the exercise room.
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The Village at Fox Crossing – Easton, PA
Low $200s – Low $300s
Also in Easton, The Village at Fox Crossing was built from 2007 to 2018 and has 50 resale single-family homes. This is the kind of community where meeting neighbors is made easy, and homeowners need not worry about lawn care or snow removal. The seven ranch-style single-family home models range from 1,100 to 1,831 square feet and offer two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two-car garages. Some homes also feature plush carpeting, custom lighting, and oak cabinetry.
It takes around 30 minutes to get to Allentown from The Village at Fox Crossing, and nearby landmarks include Braden Park and Weis Markets. The surrounding area also has fitness centers, a Walmart, Sam’s Club, hair salons, clothing stores, and plenty of other shops and services.
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Briarwood Commons – Whitehall, PA
Mid $200s – Mid $300s
Briarwood Commons is just six miles north of Allentown and even closer to the Lehigh River, Canal Street Park, and Whitehall Parkway. This appealing age-restricted community broke ground in 2011, and plans call for a total of 63 attached homes. The five thoughtfully-designed floor plans range from 1,382 to 2,650 square feet and have one to three bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, first-floor master suites, walk-in closets, and attached two-car garages. Other standard features include gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and cathedral ceilings. Some models also have the option of a second story.
The HOA provides for lawn care, snow removal, and common area maintenance. With more free time, homeowners can take advantage of the 2,800-square-foot clubhouse and all of its amenities, including a computer room, multipurpose room, catering kitchen, game room, and exercise room. When needing to run errands, residents can head over to GIANT Food, Weis Market, Target, Walmart, and other stores; nearly any convenience is less than 15 minutes away.
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Arbours at Morgan Creek – Quakertown, PA
High $200s – High $300s
Heading south about 18 miles of Allentown, Arbours at Morgan Creek is a must-see 55+ community of 85 resale attached homes. It was built in desirable Quakertown, one of the most sought-after parts of Bucks County, PA. Arbours at Morgan Creek is near Route 309 and Nockamixon State Park, granting quick access to shopping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating.
Homebuyers can choose from two floor plans sized from 1,528 to 2,250 square feet with two to three bedrooms, first-floor master suites, two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms, unfinished basements, and attached two-car garages. Both also have open floor plans, and lawn care is included in the HOA fees.
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