Levittown, Pennsylvania

When Levitt & Sons, Inc. began building homes in the rolling countryside of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the late 1940s, they were taking a bold step. The company was attempting to revolutionize the way Americans lived by introducing a new type of residential community – one where affordable, modern homes were built in a mass-production style, and the whole neighborhood was planned around the needs and wants of the modern, suburban family.

The result was Levittown, a development that went on to become one of the most famous and influential communities, not just in Pennsylvania, but across the entire United States.

At the time of its development, Levittown was seen as a bold experiment. It was a new kind of neighborhood, built on a scale that had never been seen before. The development was designed to provide an affordable home for the average American family, and the Levitts planned everything from the street layout to the architecture of the homes to make this goal a reality.

For the first time, many Americans could afford to own their homes, and that was a heady feeling. Homes in Levittown sold for roughly $8,000 each at the time, which is slightly more than $88,000 in today’s dollars. The homes were modest, but they were well-built and designed to last. They had modern conveniences like indoor plumbing, electricity, and heating, which was a far cry from the early homes in which many residents grew up.

Levittown was also designed to be attractive to families. The streets were wide and tree-lined, with sidewalks, front porches, and backyards. The homes were set back from the street with long driveways that could accommodate two cars. The yards were big enough for kids to play in, and there were parks, schools, and shopping centers within walking distance. Every aspect of life was planned to be convenient and accessible.

But Levittown was more than just a well-planned suburban community. It was a symbol of post-World War II prosperity, a place where middle-class Americans could experience the American Dream. The Levitts sold the homes on a contract of sale that required a modest down payment and a monthly mortgage payment that was less than the typical rent in the time. This allowed people who had never before owned homes to attain the stability and security of homeownership.

Today, Levittown is a thriving community with more than 53,000 residents. Many of the original homes have been renovated and updated, while others have been replaced entirely. There are now a wide variety of homes in Levittown, ranging from modest starter homes to large, luxurious estates.

But the spirit of Levittown lives on. It’s still a place that values community and family, and where residents take pride in their homes and their neighborhood. The parks and public spaces are still well-maintained, and there are always events and activities happening that bring residents together.

In many ways, Levittown remains a model of what a successful suburban community should be. It’s a place where people can raise their families in safety and comfort, a place where they can live the American Dream, and a place where they can find a true sense of community.

The Levitts may have been trying to build a new America when they started the development over 70 years ago, but they succeeded in building a new kind of community that’s still thriving today. Levittown was a revolutionary idea, and it forever changed the way Americans look at housing and community.