Moving to Parkland PA | Area Relocation Guide | Tim Tepes
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Tree-lined residential neighborhood in the Lehigh Valley with established suburban homes

Lehigh Valley Relocation Guide · Lehigh County

Moving to Parkland, PA

The region's most in-demand school district, three growing townships, and the strongest resale market in the Valley. Parkland is the answer families give when schools come first.

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~9,500
Students in Parkland SD
$380K-480K
Township medians, recent data
3
Townships: N. Whitehall, S. Whitehall, Upper Macungie
#1
Most in-demand district in the region

Why move to Parkland?

Parkland is not a single town, it is the region's most sought-after school district spread across North Whitehall, South Whitehall, and Upper Macungie Townships, plus the northern fringe of Allentown, in Lehigh County. With roughly 9,500 students and the largest high school in the Lehigh Valley, Parkland School District is the reason list prices across the three townships run ahead of almost everywhere else in the region.

For relocators, Parkland is the school-first answer. Recent market data shows township medians roughly between $380,000 and $480,000, with South Whitehall the most established, Upper Macungie the fastest-growing with the newest construction, and North Whitehall offering the most land and countryside. I-78, Route 222, and Route 309 wrap the district, Allentown is minutes away, and the airport ride is about 20 minutes.

Every neighborhood and price point below is Tim's honest local guidance from 36+ years in the Lehigh Valley market, backed by current public data. Tim confirms exact school boundaries, lot lines, and comparables for every address on your short list.

Neighborhoods in Parkland

A quick, honest neighborhood-by-neighborhood snapshot. Price ranges are general guidance from the current market, not guarantees.

01

North Whitehall Township

Countryside, preserve land, and big lots

Vibe

Countryside, preserve land, and big lots

Schools

Parkland School District

General Price Range

Mid-to-upper tier, with land commanding the premiums

Pros

  • Trexler Nature Preserve and the zoo at your edge
  • Room for acres, horses, and quiet
  • Newer and custom builds
  • Parkland schools with space

Cons

  • Everything needs a car
  • Fewer sidewalks and streetlights
  • Winter country roads

Best for

Buyers who want Parkland schools plus genuine land and privacy.

Local Q&A

Is North Whitehall too far from everything?

It is the rural edge of the district, but Route 309 and Route 873 pull Allentown into a 20-minute range and the preserve is at your back door. The trade is school quality plus land for a 25-minute drive to the city.

02

South Whitehall Township

Established suburban comfort closest to Allentown

Vibe

Established suburban comfort closest to Allentown

Schools

Parkland School District

General Price Range

The district's most accessible entry, with medians near $380K

Pros

  • Closest township to Allentown amenities
  • Established trees, sidewalks, and schools
  • Mix of eras from ranches to colonials
  • Strong neighborhood resale

Cons

  • Less new-construction inventory
  • Cedar Crest Boulevard traffic
  • Premium over nearby boroughs

Best for

Families who want Parkland schools with true suburban convenience.

Local Q&A

South Whitehall or Upper Macungie?

South Whitehall is the settled, closer-in choice with established inventory and street trees. Upper Macungie is the growth story with brand-new homes and business-park jobs. Same district, different vibe, and usually $40,000 to $80,000 apart.

03

Upper Macungie Township

The growth engine, newest homes, biggest jobs

Vibe

The growth engine, newest homes, biggest jobs

Schools

Parkland School District

General Price Range

The highest township medians in the district, near $480K in recent data

Pros

  • Most new construction and builder choices
  • I-78 and Route 222 business-park access
  • Dorney Park and the velodrome nearby
  • New-town energy

Cons

  • Fastest growth brings corridor traffic
  • Newer communities still maturing
  • Premium pricing

Best for

Relocating professionals, new-construction buyers, and families who want it all new.

Local Q&A

Why does Upper Macungie command the highest prices?

New inventory plus Parkland schools plus I-78 access is a rare triple. Every newer subdivision trades at a premium because the combination, not the address, is what buyers pay for.

04

Schnecksville

Village heart of rural North Whitehall

Vibe

Village heart of rural North Whitehall

Schools

Parkland School District

General Price Range

Mid-to-upper, land and newer builds on the edges

Pros

  • Trexler Nature Preserve and Lehigh Valley Zoo at the door
  • Village services plus country roads
  • Parkland schools with a bucolic setting
  • Community feel

Cons

  • Longer runs to retail and the airport
  • Car required
  • Limited inventory

Best for

Nature-first families who refuse to give up Parkland schools.

Local Q&A

Is Schnecksville a real town or just a corner?

It is a real village, with a post office, fire company, and community life centered on the schools and the preserve. Get past the country label and it is simply the quiet end of the district.

05

Orefield

Established crossroads community

Vibe

Established crossroads community

Schools

Parkland School District

General Price Range

Mid-range for the district, solid value within Parkland

Pros

  • Central to both Whitehalls
  • Established homes and short drives
  • Farm-market, church, and school anchor
  • Parkland schools, less hype

Cons

  • Fewer brand-new options
  • Some dated kitchens and baths
  • Retail spread thin

Best for

Buyers who want Parkland value without the newest-home premium.

Local Q&A

How does Orefield compare to Schnecksville?

Orefield sits closer to Route 309 and the retail corridor, with village services and a shorter commute into Allentown. Schnecksville is quieter and more rural. Both feed the same schools at similar pricing.

06

Cetronia

South Whitehall's gateway on the Cedar Crest corridor

Vibe

South Whitehall's gateway on the Cedar Crest corridor

Schools

Parkland School District

General Price Range

Premium for the corridor and the schools

Pros

  • Cedar Crest Boulevard retail at the door
  • Minutes from Allentown and Route 222
  • Established, well-kept homes
  • Parkland schools with city-like access

Cons

  • Corridor traffic
  • Homes move fast when they list
  • Premium pricing

Best for

Buyers who want Parkland schools with big-city conveniences 15 minutes away.

Local Q&A

Is Cetronia the best of both worlds?

It is the closest thing to suburban convenience inside the district: retail, highways, and Lehigh Valley Hospital in one ring, with the schools that brought you to Parkland. That convenience is why it sells at a premium.

Explore All Lehigh Valley Communities

Schools serving Parkland

In Pennsylvania, your street address determines your public school assignment, so district boundaries matter more than city limits. Parkland homes primarily feed the districts below; Tim verifies the exact boundary for every property you consider.

Parkland School District

Public, K-12 · ~9,500 students · 1 high school, 2 middle schools, 9 elementary schools

District profile Official site

Parkland Community Library

Community library at the center of district life

Official site
All Lehigh Valley School Districts Relocation School Guide

Commuting from Parkland

To New York City

About 90 minutes by car on I-78, depending on traffic; 60 miles closer than most of New Jersey.

To Philadelphia

Roughly an hour by car via Route 22 / I-476 or the PA Turnpike (Northeast Extension).

Air travel

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is 10–20 minutes away from most Valley addresses, with flights to major hubs.

Transit

LANTA buses serve the region, and NJ Transit buses run from Easton and Bethlehem to NYC's Port Authority.

Allentown: 10 to 20 minutes from most of the district, covering work, hospital, and retail trips.

New York City: about 90 minutes via I-78 or I-78 via Route 309 and Route 222 connections.

Philadelphia: about an hour and 15 minutes via the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension.

Lehigh Valley International Airport: about 20 minutes from the townships.

Cost of living in Parkland

The Lehigh Valley metro cost-of-living index runs near the U.S. average, but Parkland carries the district premium on housing.

Township medians of roughly $380,000 to $480,000 buy the region's top-rated public schools, newer or larger homes, and the strongest resale demand. It is the most expensive entry of the seven relocation areas, and the demand does not stop.

Item Parkland
South Whitehall median ≈ $380K
North Whitehall median ≈ $440K
Upper Macungie median ≈ $480K
Overall cost-of-living index ≈ 97 to 99
State income tax 3.07% flat

Cost-of-living index figures are drawn from public index sources (national average = 100) and are general guidance, not a guarantee.

The Parkland market right now

Parkland is the most competitive market in the Lehigh Valley. Township medians run roughly $380,000 to $480,000, and the district's reputation keeps demand constant even when the broader market cools. New construction in Upper Macungie and North Whitehall keeps adding modern inventory, while established South Whitehall streets turn over on reputation alone.

  • South Whitehall medians around $380,000, North Whitehall around $440,000, and Upper Macungie around $480,000 in recent data.
  • Parkland School District serves about 9,500 students, including the largest high school in the Lehigh Valley.
  • The district's reputation provides a floor for home values; demand holds through market shifts.
  • Upper Macungie leads new construction, anchored by the I-78 business corridor and employers like Olympus and Crayola.
  • Dorney Park, the velodrome, Haines Mill, and the Trexler preserve keep families busy year-round.
  • Well-priced Parkland homes consistently sell in days, not weeks.

Median price figures from recent third-party market data (Homes.com, Rocket Homes, Niche, and similar); confirm current comparables with Tim before making an offer.

Full Parkland Community Guide Lehigh Valley Market Data

Things to do in Parkland

Real, named favorites that locals actually use, from Tim's own list of weekend haunts.

Trexler Nature Preserve and Lehigh Valley Zoo

Over 1,100 acres of trails and the region's zoo in Schnecksville, the outdoors answer to Parkland living.

Valley Preferred Cycling Center

The iconic velodrome in Breinigsville, home of racing nights and the area's summer bicycle culture.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

Six Flags park in South Whitehall, minutes from most district homes.

Haines Mill Museum

A restored 18th-century gristmill on Cedar Creek Parkway, run by Lehigh County.

Route 222 dining and retail

The district's main commercial spine, from Wegmans to the I-78 interchange shops.

Parkland High School events

Friday-night athletics, arts, and the community energy that defines the district.

Who is Parkland best for?

Families ranking schools first

The region's most in-demand district, with the demand baked into resale value.

Relocating professionals

I-78 business corridors and a 20-minute airport ride with suburban living.

New-construction buyers

Upper Macungie and North Whitehall keep building, and Parkland schools come with it.

Buyers who want stability

Established streets, strong resale, and a school name that outlasts market cycles.

Outdoor families

The preserve, the zoo, the velodrome, and the park system within the district.

Not sure it fits? That is exactly what the free call is for. Tim listens to your situation first, then tells you honestly whether Parkland is the right fit or whether a neighboring area fits better.

Parkland relocation FAQ

Is Parkland School District worth it?
For families ranking schools number one, the premium is defensible: the district is the region's most in-demand, draws buyers from across the Valley, and holds resale value through market swings. For buyers less focused on schools, the same money buys more home elsewhere, and Tim will say so honestly.
What is the median home price in Parkland?
Recent data shows South Whitehall medians around $380,000, North Whitehall around $440,000, and Upper Macungie around $480,000. It is the highest entry of the seven relocation areas.
What towns are in Parkland?
The district spans North Whitehall, South Whitehall, and Upper Macungie Townships, with villages including Schnecksville, Orefield, and Cetronia, plus the northern fringe of Allentown.
How big is Parkland School District?
About 9,500 students across one high school (the largest in the Lehigh Valley), two middle schools, and nine elementary schools.
Is Parkland close to highways and the airport?
I-78, Route 222, and Route 309 wrap the district, Allentown is 10 to 20 minutes away, and Lehigh Valley International Airport is about 20 minutes from most homes.
What are the downsides to living in Parkland?
The honest list: premium pricing, corridor traffic on the main roads, and less walkable city life. If schools are the priority, those trade-offs are easy to accept; if they are not, Parkland may be overpaying for something you do not use.

Talk to Tim about Parkland

Get straight answers about moving to Parkland

Send Tim your situation and he will reply personally, usually the same day, with honest guidance on neighborhoods, school boundaries, pricing, and next steps. No spam, no pressure.

Book a free 30-minute relocation call

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Call or text Tim directly

(484) 275-0056

Email Tim

timtepes@gmail.com

Tim Tepes, PA Licensed Associate Broker · REALTOR® · AB062628L. Founder of Tim Tepes Real Estate LLC, with Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Cassidon Realty. 36+ years, 700+ documented transactions, 2,000+ clients across Northampton, Lehigh, and Carbon Counties.

Parkland relocation inquiry

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Keep exploring

Compare Parkland with the other Lehigh Valley relocation guides, or go back to the full hub.

Lehigh Valley Guide

How Parkland fits the seven-area picture.

Allentown Relocation Guide

The value alternative on the district's doorstep.

Northampton Area Relocation Guide

The school-district comparison families ask about.

Whitehall Relocation Guide

Central value just outside the district line.

Relocation Hub

Back to the Moving to the Lehigh Valley hub.

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Tim Tepes · PA Licensed Associate Broker & Realtor®

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