Best places to live in the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem: apartment, rent)

[triniforever]

My husband and I are relocating to PA. We are focusing our search in Easton, Bethlahem and allentown. My son will also be moving with us. We all work in NYC and will continue to do so until we can find employemnt closer to or in PA. We would love to know the best, safest, quiet and affordable places to live. we are considering a single family with a yard we do have a big dog, finish basement for my son and 2-3 bedrooms with a master bath. A master bath is important to me cause i am tired to sharing bathroom.

[escilade18]

Originally Posted by triniforever

My husband and I are relocating to PA. We are focusing our search in Easton, Bethlahem and allentown. My son will also be moving with us. We all work in NYC and will continue to do so until we can find employemnt closer to or in PA. We would love to know the best, safest, quiet and affordable places to live. we are considering a single family with a yard we do have a big dog, finish basement for my son and 2-3 bedrooms with a master bath. A master bath is important to me cause i am tired to sharing bathroom.

I think that you will have better luck in the Lehigh Valley sub-forum, just a suggestion

[new-era]

Stay as far away from Allentown as you can. Have you visited Allentown? Quite dangerous area.

Originally Posted by triniforever

My husband and I are relocating to PA. We are focusing our search in Easton, Bethlahem and allentown. My son will also be moving with us. We all work in NYC and will continue to do so until we can find employemnt closer to or in PA. We would love to know the best, safest, quiet and affordable places to live. we are considering a single family with a yard we do have a big dog, finish basement for my son and 2-3 bedrooms with a master bath. A master bath is important to me cause i am tired to sharing bathroom.

[triniforever]

When are you moving? between september -october
Where are you coming from? BROOKLYN NEW YORK
Why are you moving? TIRED OF CITY LIFE
Where will you be working? BRONX NEW YORK, HUSBAND STILL WORK IN QUEENS
Have you been here yet? YES WE VISIT FAMILY EVERY THANKSGIVING

Will you buy or rent? BUY
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? SINGLE FAMILY $175,000
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children? MARRIED
Do you prefer public or private schools? N/A OUR CHILDREN ARE GROWN
Do you have pets? YES/BIG DOGGY
Do you want or need a yard? YARD VERY IMPORTANT
Are you keeping a car?DONT HAVE ONE NOW BUT WILL BE GETTING ONE
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? CALM AND QUIET

What do you want to be closest to? EASY ACCESS TO HWY
Work MOST IMPORTANT
Shopping LEAST IMPORTANT
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) IMPORTANT
Nightlife NOT IMPORTANT
Near Bus stop? Please note that there is NO rail service in the Lehigh Valley.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? DIVERSE

Phillies or Mets? NOT A BASEBALL FAN, FOOTBALL YES EAGLES MY TEAM AND A BIG SOCCER FAN

[toobusytoday]

Since you are planning to continue working in the Bronx and Brooklyn, I would suggest staying in a town outside of Easton for an easier commute. I'm not very familiar with that section of the LV so I hope another poster will add their two cents.

[julian17033]

You cant just lump all of Allentown into a single sentence stating " danger " and " Stay as far away " .

I live in South Allentown ( 18103 ) south of Emmaus Ave where the average home price is 168,000 dollars and because of it it is a extremely safe and beautiful neighborhood.

What about west Allentown? Very very safe and very clean with very large stately homes and mansions with an excellent school system.

To say Allentown is dangerous and to stay away is like telling people to stay away from Philly because it's dangerous.

It is best to define what areas of Allentown that are dangerous and what areas are not only safe but beautiful and thriving just like any large city.

Originally Posted by new-era

Stay as far away from Allentown as you can. Have you visited Allentown? Quite dangerous area.

[flyonpa]

I would look to be in Bethlehem or Palmer Twps (area) as close to the park&ride WilliamPenn & PA33. The fare to NYC is ~$500/month (per person) to take the bus to Port Auth Bus in NYC, then you would need to subway it over to work. If you work off-peak you can drive, but you are looking at about 2h(each way) drive.

I would find job in PA 1st before you make the move. 175K is going to be tight to get a nice single family home with suburbia....

[toobusytoday]

Let's stick to comments about where the opening poster want to move please.

[triniforever]

thank you so much we will take all the advise in to consideration its been helpful.

[blazerj]

Try something right off 78. Hellertown, Easton (maybe not if you want a good school district), Lower Nazareth (right off 33). I think Coopersburg/ Center Valley are a bit too far (and by that I mean will add 5-10 minutes on top of Hellertown/ Lower Nazareth.

I work in Jersey and am also looking for a house. Driving to NYC during rush hours will easily put you into the 2+ hours each way range. Have you looked in Hunterdon County or any part of Western Jersey (maybe rent until you get employment closer to the LV)?