Smalltown Life
The Lehigh Valley incorporates many small towns and boroughs for those seeking a break from urban lifestyle. These tight-knit communities scattered throughout
Lehigh and
Northampton Counties offer quiet walkable neighborhoods, good schools and diverse housing. The two communities of Emmaus and Hellertown highlighted below give a brief snapshot into smalltown life in the Lehigh Valley.
Emmaus, Pennsylvania is a quaint historic community of 12,000 nestled on the northern slope of South Mountain. Formed in 1759 as a closed Moravian village on land owned by the church, Emmaus was incorporated as a Pennsylvania borough 100 years later in 1859. Drawn to
Emmaus’ thriving business sector called the “triangle,” residents take advantage of a variety of community amenities including a weekly
seasonal organic farmers market, restaurants and stores. In 2009, Money Magazine ranked Emmaus as one of the top 100 best places to live in the country.
Hellertown, Pennsylvania is a small borough of 5,600 people located south of Bethlehem in Northampton County. Hellertown’s main street is undergoing resurgence with new restaurants and stores filling in the streetscape. During the summer months residents and visitors gather in a borough park to hear outdoor concerts and shop at a local farmers market.