Discover Why Easton is a Top Place for Older Adults

Kay Builders is currently building The Fields at Lafayette Way, an active adult 55+ community of  136 elegant single homes and 64 spacious twin villas that live like a single home.

This community is located in Forks Township just a few minutes from Easton, Pennsylvania. AARP recently included Easton on their list of top 10 great places for older adults to live. AARP chose these locations based on housing, transportation, health, environment, and other factors that help create an appealing community for older people.

Easton is the only location in Pennsylvania and one of just 2 locations in the entire Northeast to make this exclusive list! So we wanted to take a closer look at all the reasons why this area is such a great place for older adults to call home.

A Convenient and Desirable Location

Easton delivers history, culture, and lots of amenities, while Forks Township gives you natural beauty and green space where you can relax in retirement (or pre-retirement). At The Fields at Lafayette Way, you truly get the best of all worlds! This combination of places to go, things to do, and natural beauty is part of the reason why Niche.com named Forks Township one of the best places to live in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

Historically, Easton became a popular spot because it’s roughly halfway between Philadelphia and New York. It remains a convenient place to live today for the same reason. When you live near Easton, you have easy access to major arteries like Routes 22, 33 and 78, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Route 611. Today you can drive to Philadelphia or New York City in about 90 minutes. That’s a big deal if you travel to visit your kids and grandkids (or if they travel to come see you).

Many people love living in central New Jersey because of the easy access to New York, Pennsylvania and points beyond. Easton is just across the river, but it has an important distinction: Pennsylvania is generally more affordable than New Jersey. Plus one more point especially important as you grow older: unlike New Jersey, most retirement income in Pennsylvania is not taxed.

The Easton area has outstanding facilities to serve your healthcare needs. St. Luke’s Anderson Campus is a 180,000 square foot facility conveniently located at the intersection of Route 33 and Interstate 78. Lehigh Valley Hecktown Oaks, located on Hecktown road, offers a wide range of care close to home.

Abundant History, Amenities & Culture

If you appreciate history, you’ll enjoy knowing that Easton was a major industrial city during the revolutionary war. On July 8, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was publicly proclaimed in Easton’s “Great Square” (which is known today as Center Square, home of the nation’s oldest, continuously operated outdoor Farmers Market).

Easton fully embraces their rich history. Each year Easton celebrates “Heritage Day” in Center Square with a reenactment of the reading along with crafts, food, entertainment, and fireworks. It’s always a fun event where you can enjoy the richness of your community.

Part of the fun of retirement is enjoying really good food, and Easton does not disappoint. Downtown Easton features a wide variety of restaurants from casual to fine dining. Many people who live in the Lehigh Valley travel to Easton for the dining alone. Some of the highlights include the River Grille (a higher-end dining experience with an amazing atmosphere), Thyme Rooftop Grille (breathtaking views and outstanding food),  3rd and Ferry Fish Market (one of the best seafood restaurants in the area).

Easton’s State Theater features world-class performances from popular acts. To make an evening out of it, you can dine at a great restaurant in downtown Easton and then walk a few blocks to the show. Large parking garages in Easton add to the convenience.

Once you’re retired or semi-retired, you’ll be looking for fun things to do. Fortunately Easton is loaded with activities you can do either alone or with family and friends. You can learn more about Easton’s history at the National Canal Museum and take the grandkids to explore the Crayola Experience.

You can also check out the picturesque Easton waterfront and enjoy the popular annual festivals like Bacon Fest (November), Street Eats Food Truck Festival (May) and Clam Jam (August).

If shopping is your thing, you’ll love the wide variety of shops in and around Easton including the beautiful Belleville Market. At the Easton Public Market you’ll find lots of cool vendors and tasty eats. The Easton Farmers Market sets up out front on Saturdays. You’ll find unique shops (plus wineries, breweries, and ice cream!) in the restored Simon Silk Mill.

Lots of Fun Ways to Stay Active at Any Age

This area truly lives up to the idea of “55+ active living”. In The Fields at Lafayette Way community, you’ll find a resident swimming pool, pickleball, bocce, walking trail, and clubhouse activities.

If the community walking trail isn’t enough for you, it links up with the Two Rivers Trail, a network of over 30+ miles of trails. It’s the perfect spot for walking, jogging, hiking, or cycling.

On a sunny day, you can explore The Karl Stirner Arts Trail. This 1.75-mile trail and sculpture garden connects downtown Easton with the Lafayette College campus. The trail winds along the Bushkill Creek and is lined with interesting art installations. There is convenient parking available.

Still need more to do? The Forks Township Community Center has recreation programs, workshops, and classes. At historic Lafayette College in Easton, you can audit a class of your choosing or participate in a variety of community activities.

Ready to learn more about why Easton is such a great place for 55+ living?

Easton truly deserves to be on AARP’s list of 10 great places for older adults to live. If this article has you curious, reach out to us to learn more about The Fields at Lafayette Way. We can build you a CUSTOM-i-ZABLE home to fit your needs and style, all built with the finest quality materials and craftsmanship of Lehigh Valley’s 3rd generation, family-owned builder.  

Call us at 484-353-6100 or submit our online form to learn more about our communities. Soon you can call Easton home and check out what this area has to offer!