3 Awesome 55+ Communities

Hey friends! Today we’re going to talk about downsizing and 55+ communities here in Forks (and Palmer) Townships. I know that there are lots of 55+ communities that you can choose from and I want to show you the options that you have. One of the things that really worried when I first moved here or when I first started to sell real estate was that I heard people saying, “Oh, I never saw that community.” or ” Oh, if only somebody had told me about this address, I would have moved here!” Anyway, today you’re going to hear about all of them. So stay tuned!

The Village at Upstream Farm

The Village at Upstream Farm is in a quiet location, in a rural location but it’s still close to everything. It’s really close to shopping, entertainment and restaurants. Within minutes you can be at one of the largest shopping centers in Palmer Township. Where you’ll find a huge Wegmans store for all of your grocery shopping, there are lots of national brands like Target, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Hobby Lobby and others. There’s lots of restaurants there’s a Red Robin, Chick-fil-A, a McDonald’s, there’s also a local diner called Diner 248 and lots of other restaurants that you can enjoy. Plus there’s a movie theatre.

When you first drive into the Village at Upstream Farm you’ll see that the houses are in clusters and a circular configuration. So if you’re in one of the clusters on the outside ring, chances are you have a pretty private backyard that looks onto some woods or some countryside.

The Village at Upstream Farm is made up of one bedroom one bath, two bedroom two bath homes. The one bedroom one bath home is only about 990 square feet and then the two bedroom two bath home starts at around 1150 square feet. So they are small and they are reasonably priced.

The one bedroom one bath sold in the last 12 months between $140,000 and $149,000. The two bedroom two bath started at $178,000 and the most expensive sold for $189,000. All of the homes at Village at Upstream Farm are heated with gas and have gas hot water. Each of the properties has a one car garage, a small patio out back, the kitchens are all nice sized. The master bedroom is quite large and the master bath has a walk-in shower.

The layout is nice. You walk into the front door and the kitchen is to your right and you enter into a dining room & living room combination. And just beyond that is a little bump out which a lot of people use for a den or a tv room or an office. It has patio doors that go out to the patio on the back of the house.

I’ve added three different floorplans here for you to look at. The first floorplan is the one bedroom one bathroom home and it is one of the most commonly built plans in the community.

You’ll see the kitchen is approximately 12×8 it is adjacent to the dining room. The living room dining room conbination does have a vaulted ceiling creating a grandeur to the room. The laundry is on the way to the master bedroom, the master bath and the garage.

The second plan is the two bedroom two bath home. You’ll see in this model that the second bedroom is off of the living room dining room combination. You’ll see the bump out sunroom that I was referred to. And you’ll notice the second bath which is a half bath just off of the foyer.

And the last plan is the two bedroom two bath home. Like the previous plan it has a similar configuration with the sunroom bump out & the second bedroom and half bath. You’ll see that the second bedroom is with a slightly larger closet. But you’ll notice that the master bedroom includes the walk in closet in a different spot. This third plan overall plan is wider than the other two homes.

It is a smaller and more intimate community. Its made up of one and two bedroom homes. Each of the homes has stucco and stone accents on the outside. The Village at Upstream Farm does have a homeowner’s association fee. The monthly fee is $395 and that covers the use of the clubhouse, snow removal , lawn & shrub maintenance. So it’s nice easy free living.

The clubhouse does have community rooms, a community kitchen, a billiards table and an exercise room. The only drawback is that this community does not have an inground swimming pool like some of the other 55+ communities in the area.

The Highlands at Glenmoor

The Highlands at Glenmoor is another 55+ community in Palmer township. It is a community of about 250 homes and it’s set on 26 acres. It’s a community that’s made up of single homes as well as twin homes.

The twin homes at the Highlands at Glenmoor range from 1535 square feet to about 2400 square feet. The two bedroom two bath TWIN home sold in the last 12 months between $266,000 and $305,000. The three bedroom three bathroom TWIN home sold between $325,000 and $332,000 in the last 12 months.

SINGLE homes in this community start at 1800 square feet and go up to 3500 square feet. The SINGLE two bedroom two bathroom home sold between $332,000 and $360,000 last year. The three bedroom three bath SINGLE home sold between $335,000 and $435,000 last year.

Real estate taxes for this community range from $6,000 to $9,300 a year. With the average being $7,500.

In these homes you’ll see different architectural changes. Most have vaulted ceilings. There are lots of palladium windows, many homes have a fireplace added. There’s always a two car garage and it’s heated with gas and has gas hot water. So it’s very economical.

The homeowner’s association fee here at the Highlands of Glenmoor is currently $305 a month. That covers lawn maintenance, roof & siding maintenance, driveway maintenance, it also includes snow removal, use of the clubhouse and any other amenities.

The clubhouse at the Highlands of Glenmoor is really outfitted nicely. It has a big beautiful pool and patio, it has a gorgeous event space, there is a billiards room, an exercise room, the gym is outfitted with some of the finest equipment around. So you really get your money’s worth. Also at the Highlands at Glenmoor there is a bocce court and a tennis court. There is shuffleboard as well as great walking paths. This is a fabulous neighborhood to walk in. Every time that I am there showing property, I see lots of people out walking the neighborhood. Everyone always waves hello or says hello. It’s a nice community.

Glenmoor

Just across the street from The Highlands at Glenmoor is another 55+ community in Palmer township and it’s called Glenmoor. It’s made up of about 185+ homes in another circular configuration built on the side of a hill. And it’s a combination of townhomes as well as single homes.

2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Homes

The two bedroom two bath TWIN home in Glenmoor sold for $255,000 up to $295,000. Only twelve sales have occurred in the last twelve months.

The average price of a two bedroom two bath SINGLE home is $300,000.

3 Bedroom 3 Bathroom Homes

The larger three bedroom and three bathroom TWIN sold between $280,000 and $290,000.

The SINGLE three bedroom three bathroom home sold for $307,000 to $350,000.

Annual real estate taxes in Glenmoor are about $7,000 a year. The range is from the lowest of $6,000 to the highest of $8,600.

Every home has a two car garage. The layouts are similar. When coming through the front door you enter into the foyer. Depending on the layout the front bedroom with be on the right or the left of the front door. Adjacent to the front bedroom will be the hall bathroom. As you go further down the hall you enter into the majority of the home with a large kitchen, living room and dining room combination. Sometimes the dining rooms are separate but most times it is one large open concept. The patio doors on the other side of the kitchen lead out to a patio or deck on every home. Opposite the living room/kitchen combination is the very large master bedroom with a big master bath and walk-in closets.

If there is a second floor in any of these homes the stairs will be located to the side about halfway into the property. You will not walk in the front door and see the stair right there. The stairs are beyond the hallway to the laundry and the garage.

The homes in Glenmoor are heated with gas and do have gas hot water.

The clubhouse at Glenmoor is big and gorgeous. It has a nice patio and inground pool. The clubhouse has meeting rooms too, a gym, there is a large beautiful event space with a kitchen you can use for parties and there are craft room, library, billiards room and other fun things to do.

55+ Community Info

Living in Active Adult Community is a great way to enjoy one level and maintenance free living. Most communities cover the cost of maintenance and amenities with a homeowner’s association fee (HOA). Here are a few examples of  some of the great amenities communities may offer: pool access, events, community centers, a golf course and a restaurant. These amenities will help keep you active and social with your neighbors! Briarwood Commons Whitehall, Pa Briarwood Commons offers various floor-plans to choose from, designed for 100% first floor living space. Open concept will allow for you to customize to lifestyle and your needs, dining room or study, breakfast nook or family room. The community ammenties include: clubhouse, exercise room, meeting areas, card room, kitchen area, and deck to host community events. HOA Fee:  $115 / month The Cottages at Belmont Glen Location:  Whitehall, Pa Beautiful surroundings, with great views. This community is made up of beautiful spacious homes on private parcels. Luxurious master suites, extraordinary kitchens, family rooms are crafted with the finest materials. Convenient to Rt. 33, Rt. 22 and I-78. HOA Fee:  $169 / month The Cottages at Monocacy Creek Bethlehem, Pa The Cottages at Monocacy Creek, open floor plans optional sun-room, and loft allows you the  to customize your home. So if you want to extend your patio or deck, maybe add a fence, grow a garden or create your own private retreat, you can! Nestled near historic Monocacy Creek, close to the Archibald Johnston Conservation. HOA Fee:  $179 / month Country Classics Legacy at Morgan Hill  Easton, Pa Active-Adult town-homes located looking down onto the Lehigh Valley close to Routes 78, 278 and New Jersey. Five styles of town-homes ranging from 2,425  to 2,850 sqft, master bedroom suites on the first floor. A gated community offers clubhouse, with an exercise room, craft room, game room, kitchen, office, card-playing room with a stone fireplace, media room, and a heated pool. Social events held throughout the year at the Clubhouse: International night, super bowl party, holiday barbecues, doo wop dance, billiard tournament and pool parties are just a few events! Located adjacent to the community is Morgan Hill Golf Course a premier 18-hole golf course, along with the award-winning Vintage Restaurant and Bar. HOA Fee:  $277 / month* Four Seasons at Farmington Macungie, Pa Four Seasons at Farmington, premier community in the Lehigh Valley for  55+, a fabulous community offers an a resort lifestyle with a clubhouse, outdoor heated pool, tennis court, fitness center, bocce court, golf, walking trails. Luxurious ranch-style single family homes,  and  minutes from Allentown and Bethlehem. HOA Fee:  $282 / month Four Seasons at Saucon Valley Hellertown, Pa Four Seasons is an active 55+ condominium community made up of 158 duplex and quad homes with attached two-car garages. The clubhouse is the focal point for social and recreational activities. A tennis court, bocce court, putting green, shuffleboard court, and a heated pool. HOA Fee:  $265 / month Highlands of Glenmoor Easton, Pa Active 55+ community with all the outside maintenance is taken care of. Homes have open floor plans with high ceilings, and a 2-car garage. The clubhouse is filled with amenities, heated pool, exercise room, library, 3 card rooms, craft room, putting green, bocce court, workshop. HOA Fee: $250 / month* Jacob’s Farm Easton, Pa Offering a wonderful clubhouse with lots of activities, tennis courts, shuffle board, a theater room, diner style kitchen and dining, card playing room, lounge, and gym. Built in 2003, there are 135 homes located close to Route 33, shopping and dining. HOA Fee:  $500 / month Traditions of America at Bridlepath Bethlehem, Pa 55+ community with a great location in the Lehigh Valley. National Award-Winning 55+ community features resort-style amenities and recreational activities. Parties, classes, clubs and trips organized by the full-time Lifestyle Director, and so much more! HOA Fee:  $180 / month* Traditions of America at Hanover Bethlehem, Pa Voted the “best new homes community” in Lehigh Valley and one of the 100 best master-planned communities in the US. The community features a two-story clubhouse with many resort-style activities. A full-time Lifestyle Director plans clubs, parties and trips, and arranges for a variety of services for the homeowners in this active 55+ community. Clubhouse features: whirlpool spa, heated pool (seasonal), aerobics and fitness room, billiard room, card room. Both single- or two-story town-homes available with the lawn care and other maintenance. HOA Fee:  $180 / month* Turnberry Mews Bethlehem, Pa Luxury 55+ Condo Community in Bethlehem Township. Units come standard with an elevator that services all levels, have spacious room sizes, kitchens with granite counter-tops, hardwood floors, tiled baths, gas fireplaces in the family room, lots of light and windows, 3 zone heat, patios and a 2-car garage. Located close to historic downtown Bethlehem, RT 33, 22, 378 and 78. HOA Fee:  $250 / quarterly* Villages at Upstream Farms Easton, Pa The Village at Upstream Farm, is a gated community designed for age 55 and older. Homes in  Village at Upstream Farm offers quality construction and amenities. The community center offers an exercise facility, entertainment room. There is a variety of arts, cultural venues and some of the best shopping in the area. HOA Fee:  $370 / month Willow Green Northampton, Pa Located in Allen Township, just north of Bethlehem, PA, Willow Green is one of the area’s premier communities. Energy-efficient, designed to minimize your maintenance with one floor living, spacious kitchens, master suites, 2 car garages, and plenty of storage. The clubhouse has a library, computer room, whirlpool spa, heated pool, sports bar, fitness rooms. Across the street is Willow Brook Golf Course.  The community provides year-round lawn care and snow removal. HOA Fee:  $250 / month Wild Cherry Knoll Macungie, Pa A wonderful 55+ gated community, if luxury is what you are looking for, then visit Wild Cherry Knoll. This community has detached homes and semi-detached. The community has  a clubhouse with social & card rooms, aerobics, and a library. Enjoy the outdoor pool, tennis court, shuffle board, and walking trails! HOA Fee:  $115 / month *HOA fees and amenities are not guaranteed, may vary on home and HOA changes and/or updates. Contact The RedHeadAgent Real Estate Team to learn more about the communities, homes available, or to set an appointment.