Living in Lehigh Valley

[Janemas]

Lehigh Valley is a wonderful place as long as you live away from Allentown's center city area. Year after year I notice young people, many young people attracted to the area because of low rent. Most homeowners in center city have split many one-family 3 story homes into 3 apartments and renting to anyone. Those who cannot afford NY or Philly move here. Being poor or having low income is not a sin and shouldn't be, but cheap rent is attacting those who rarely work and disturb the neighborhood with loud activity.

Just to clarify I'm originally a Brooklyn girl who has live in many cities and visited many asian countries. Lehigh county if you stay away from center city offers everything that a big city has to offer in a green setting.

[lee83]

Originally Posted by Rosanne

Thanks Sleeplessinpa, I didn't realize about the taxes being adjusted after purchase of a house. So when I see a home online, and in addition to the price of the home, it also lists the taxes, I shouldn't expect to pay those taxes, I should expect them to change? That doesn't help someone trying to get an idea of the cost of a home, including yearly taxes, does it.

I agree Rosanne. I am planning on moving to Lehigh valley and would like to know the answer to your questions as well.

[appletj]

Originally Posted by Rosanne

Virangos, thanks for the response and information. We moved to So. Calif. in 1976 from NY, so we've been away from the east for quite awhile. We're just trying to get an idea of what to expect. It helps when we can get information from people who actually live in the area that we're going to be looking at. Thanks again. If there is anyone else that would like to put their two cents in, it would be greatly appreciated.

I moved from northern NJ to the Santa Cruz area in CA 7 months ago and my wife and I are thinking of going back east to the Allentown area soon. Depending on when you purchased your house in CA and how much you paid for it your property taxes in CA may be much lower in CA due to Prop 13. You may be paying $2000 a year but the person who buys your house will be paying 1% of the sale price. Assuming that you sell your house for $500K, not unlikely considering CA housing prices, the property tax for your buyer will be $5000 per year.

[engsmom]

This post has has some really useful information for me...thanks so much.

My husband and I are looking into moving into Easten PA. We do not have an exact location as of yet, but i do know he is willing to commute to NYC as long as he can drive to a NJ transit station to catch the train. We were going to look in the Allentown area, but if it is not that nice then what towns are surrounding it that would be great for a young family. I have 2 young children and have been researching home prices online and we hope to be in PA by the end of the year. Thanks for any information you feel like sharing....

[mwr6348]

Rosanne,

A word about the taxes. Spot reassesments are not permitted in PA. There have been several court cases documenting this. Taxes will go up if theres a county/city/state-wide increase or if you purchase new construction where the taxes are only estimated. Taxes will not be reassessed based off of your purchase.