Move to Northhampton?? Good or bad? (Allentown, Bethlehem: low crime, homes, buy)

[ladyalicia105]

Ive researched this county and read pretty much only bad things about it. Bad schools, gangs, drugs, crime. I read Plainfield and Pen Argyl are the best parts but you have to deal with a landfill with a smell and possible health problems. Isnt there anywhere in Northhampton that a family can live? It seems its the best county for a quick commute to Jersey City. I need good schools, low crime, a catholic church, a range, a horse farm.I can spend about 250,000. Im from italian/irish descent so being around those cultures would help. My husband does commute but its at 9pm so Im sure the commute wont be bad at that time because no one is on the roads usually. He is used to commuting an hour and a half anyway. Any recommendation? Right now we prefer Pike but northhampton is more of a direct route for him

[toobusytoday]

Why not look at Nazareth? It's a nice town with good schools. Certainly better then Pen Argyl. I don't know about the ethnic make-up, but most likely the people that have been there for a while will have a German heritage. I don't think there is anyplace in the Lehigh Valley with an Italian enclave. Celtic maybe.

[ladyalicia105]

I have heard about Nazareth...is it close to riff raff lol? And how are the schools and distance to rt78 or rt80?

[julian17033]

Nazareth and the immediate area surrounding it is quite nice.
The town itself is visually very appealing and has that typical PA " feel " concerning the way it's historic homes, buildings and churches are preserved.
In the housing developments surrounding Nazareth there are homes reaching into the 700,000 plus range.

Just like any borough, township or city you will have a bad element, the key is how that element is contained and managed that makes the difference.

It appears that Nazareth does that well.

[toobusytoday]

I recommended it because the schools are good. You can use this site to check out the stats for any school. You can compare schools within 20 miles of Nazareth here: SchoolDigger.com comparison results

If you look at a map, you can see that Nazareth is very close to Route 33, which is the main expressway to Rt. 78.

[ladyalicia105]

I noticed that Nazareth is close to easton, Bethlehem and Allentown.At least that's what I read. Arent they not so nice cities and a little too close. It seems like Nazareth is this lovely town surrounded by bad areas and that's a concern of mine. Im hoping to be a little further away from the garbage.

[julian17033]

Originally Posted by ladyalicia105

I noticed that Nazareth is close to easton, Bethlehem and Allentown.At least that's what I read. Arent they not so nice cities and a little too close. It seems like Nazareth is this lovely town surrounded by bad areas and that's a concern of mine. Im hoping to be a little further away from the garbage.

Alicia,

I'm not quite sure if you understood my post.
Nazareth is essentially rural in nature surrounded by upper middle class suburbia.

Nazareth is north of Whitehall off of route 33.

Whitehall contains the areas shopping epicenter where everything including the Lehigh Valley Mall is located.
The very reason why Nazareth is very desirable as a bedroom to the north is because of the exact reason that seems to be repelling you.

Perhaps your Nirvana will be achieved by living on a 50 acre parcel of land suuround by a barbed wire electric fence in the middle of Potter County.
Satellite communities like Nazareth are the safest you are going to have in any large city area.

Many of your fears will be put to rest if and when a visit is warranted by you.

Attempt to stop worrying and start living.

[ladyalicia105]

Well the way you put it it sounds better. Some websites say," yeah Nazareth ia great accept you're just a few miles from Easton" I just have to visit. On the internet you get opposing opinions. Actually my preference is Milford in Pike but being my husband is a cop out in Jersey City this would make sense because its an easier commute

[toobusytoday]

The city's that you are worried about are small city's. Bethlehem is a tourist destination! On this board we routinely recommend that people move to Bethlehem if they want a vibrant city with restaurants, cafe's and things to do. We often choose to go to restaurants in Bethlehem for special occasions. My church is in Allentown and I have no hesitation about going to the symphony there or to the library during the day. I routinely drive through the city if I need to go to the mall. Easton is home to Crayola crayons, another tourist destination. These are not boarded up 24/7 crime scene places.

Nazareth is simply a small town...

[MatildaLoo]

I don't agree with Julian that Nazareth is rural, per se. It's a borough of 5,000 people with businesses and its own school district. Personally I think it looks like a great place to live: beautifully kept homes, sidewalks, etc. If we stay here and buy another home it's definitely a place on top of my list.

Easton, Allentown and Bethlehem are not as bad as people say. I wouldn't suggest you living there because their schools, as with just about every sizable city in PA, are having a lot of trouble. However, these cities--and Bethlehem in particular--are experiencing a revitalization in recent years.

OP, I agree you have to visit to see for yourself. I'd suggest taking a day trip at least to Bethlehem to get a feel of what these places are all about. I have a feeling you'll fall in love with Bethlehem's Main Street at the very least.

Here's a link to the Downtown Bethlehem Association, which might give you an idea about the community feeling that is fostered throughout the Lehigh Valley:

Downtown Bethlehem Association