Move to Bridal Path Rd Bethlehem (Allentown, State College: apartments, foreclosure, leasing)

[am8402]

Thank you in advance for any responses. I am considering a move to the new active adult community on Bridal Path Rd, Bethlehem, called Traditions of America. Any feedback on the area, and especially with my being a single 60 year old woman, the safety of Bethlehem, restaurants and shops in town, and the walkability of the town- is it safe to walk alone? A bonus would be if anyone has feedback on the builder.
Thank you again

[PacoMartin]

Traditions has another community called Hanover that is less than 4 miles from Bridle Path and part of the same township.

It bothers me a little that the above link shows 5 homes available, when there are about a dozen on the market. They are exploiting some terminology as EXPRESS HOMES that makes it look like the community is almost completely sold out.

Bridle Path is not in a very walkable area. There are no parks to walk too, and about a mile away is the very old Westgate Mall which was built in the 1960's and has over half the stores shut down. Westgate has inexpensive food, a Weiss grocery store, a Bon-Ton department store, a 7-eleven.

Beef House 610-691-9006
China Buffet 610-758-9968
Johnny's Bagels & N.Y. Deli 610-866-5362
Mocha Mike's (in parking lot!) 610-865-9500
Westgate Pizza 610-865-1393
Subway 610-954-8900b
Wine & Spirits Shoppe 610-861-2095

Traditions has their entry level William Penn 1274 sq ft $300k and they go up to over $400K.

From what I know about the Traditions of America Homes is that they seem very cute, well built, but they are expensive compared to other homes in the same area.

Right now on Bridle Path Rd about 350 yards from the Ambassador Drive exit from Bridle Path Traditions is a foreclosure estimated to sell for $136K with 4 beds, 2 baths, 1452 sq ft, 1/2 acre lot sq ft, built:1960.

A custom built home (1985) 4 bed / 2.5 baths 2,849 sqft in a nearby neighborhood (300 yards off Bridle Path) is being sold for $365K with a full half acre lot.

[PacoMartin]

The Bridle Path community is supposed to be 204 homes on 68 acres (3 homes per acre). Which on the face of it sounds normal for the township. However, looking at their plan, I am estimating that each individual home gets a lot of 60' by 60' lot (actual lot sizes are not posted) and all the rest of the land goes to public space.

Maybe it's just me, but that does seem like a tiny pinprick of land for a home that sells for $300K-$400K.

From what I can gather, the developer does have a very good reputation.

I may be overly paranoid, as some people just want a place to live with nearby friends.

[am8402]

The houses at Hanover are four per acre vs three per acre at Bridal Path. Price you pay for the lifestyle and community I guess. How is the city itself? I've been warned to stay away from the south side near Lehigh Univ and the casinos.

[PacoMartin]

The city is broken into four sections. The South Side is your traditional immigrant section full of people that worked in the steel mills and manufacturing. It is predominately Latino and can be a little grittier.

Some of the worst neighborhoods are to the far East (Central Section) near the housing projects.

The Historic District north side is very upscale, and full of expensive restaurants. From 1741 to 1850 it was a Moravian commune (not individually owned private property) and the buildings are well preserved. It was once a candidate for a World Heritage Site.

It is roughly a 3 mile drive from Bridle Path to Historic Bethlehem. There is a walking trail along the creek from the Illicks Mill Park (next door to TOA Bridle Path), but it is unclear from the plans how difficult it will be to access the creek from the TOA development. If the connections are good it will be roughly a 2.5 mile walk.
Walking Trail along Creek

Bethlehem :Population ( acres )
Central :19,687 ( 1,645 )
West : 19,343 ( 2,810 )
Northwest :15,870 ( 3,322 )
South : 20,082 ( 4,557 ) includes Steel Plant
74,982 ( 12,333 )


I should say that as a man I don't find any part of the city frightening, even at night, Some parts of Allentown are scary. Crime rate in Bethlehem is one of the lowest for a city in Pennsylvania (except for State College which is one of the safest cities in the country). As a single woman you will be fine in all the places you choose to go.

[JohnZ963]

I always thought that those Traditions homes are really expensive for what they are. I guess to retirees from NY & NJ they are a relatively good deal. They are, however, in a very safe area that is just a short drive from downtown Bethlehem and related attractions.

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by JohnZ963

I guess to retirees from NY & NJ they are a relatively good deal.

I just walked over to the development to see if I could get a better idea of what it looked like. I spoke with a couple who lived in a home for 25 years almost adjacent to the TOA development. They sold their 1954 home for $319K (3 beds, 3 baths; 2,200 sq ft; 1/2 acre lot; built:1954) and were living in a long term stay hotel until their TOA home was finished.

They said that they were expecting to pay $200/month in condo fees, and they advised that the extreme premium to live near the golf course was not worth it. The lots are covered with lost golf balls, so in addition to paying a lot more money, you are likely to lose some windows. The homes look to be roughly 18' apart.

The land is all owned by the condo association. The homes seem well built and attractive, but I can't get used to that price for a property where you don't own the land. It also seems that an issue with all condominiums, is that the developer keeps the fee low until he sells all the units. Then when the condo association goes private, people can't run the operation without raising fees. This issue regards condos in general, not this association in particular.

[am8402]

Wow thank you! You have gone above and beyond and I truly appreciate it. Very good point why pay $15-30000 extra for the land if you don't own it? I have friends in another community that pay a certain amount per year for the land, so it's more like they're leasing the land.

[PacoMartin]

A possible alternative: Traditions of Hanover apartment rentals.


Developer know that people are afraid of being alone. If you are marketing to young people, they often want apartment with clubhouses that offer swimming pools, gymnasiums,squash courts, and rooms that you can rent for parties. The staff organizes monthly mixers.

With the 55+ crowd they are increasingly doing the same thing. Part of the concept is the idea that you still have home ownership, but none of the issues of lawn maintenance, etc. An older person may be more comfortable with the idea of putting $400K in equity (2nd story plus land), instead of a $3K/month rent.

The land used to belong to St Francis Center for Renewal which was built just after WWII. The Center sold 68 of their 108 acres for the retirement community. So if you are Catholic, you have the advantage of having a center right next door. There is also the Bretheren, and Russian Orthodox churches across the street, and Lutheran and Seventh Day Adventist and a Synogogue within a mile.

But the prices seem so high compared to the neighborhood, that I am afraid that people who choose not to live in these homes for the rest of their life, will never get their money back out.

Across the street: 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,900 sq ft, Lot:19,000 sq ft.| Built:1989; Sold: Sep 2010 for $215K

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I've met woman who retired alone in cities in Mexico. They don't even speak much Spanish, but they happily rent apartments, they hire taxis instead of driving, food and restaurants are cheap, and they employ men who will happily do their chores for the same price that we pay teenagers in the USA. Medications are very affordable, and their is no snow (sometimes hail).

They find companionship at the consulate, or at book clubs geared towards expats. They probably don't see their families as often if they were 30 miles of driving distance away.

Admittedly most of these women tended to live overseas when their husbands were still alive, so they are less intimidated by living in a strange culture.

But to each his own. Like I said, the one couple lived virtually next door for 25 years, and they couldn't wait to sell their single family home and move into TOA Bridle Path.

The developer presented his initial plans for TOA Bridle Path on 23 May 2006 to the township board, so this project has been on the books for a long time.

[like de]

I recently visited this community two different times. I was told that this is land owned, not leased. Association fees approximately $190 per month which includes clubhouse access, pool, snow removal, lawn care. The homes are indeed a bit pricy, but not sure what to expect when a home is brand new in that area. They will be building a guest house in the near future which I hope to take advantage of. Would like to stay for a couple of days to see what the active adult life is like there once the clubhouse is completed. And would like to get a better feel for the surrounding area for shopping, etc. I have looked at several 55+ communities in DE and am not finding any better pricing on single homes. These homes are close together although there are some lots which are open in the back still available. Was told to expect a 7 month time frame for new construction - but the lots are selling pretty quick at the moment. I was impressed with the homes - except for the kitchens. But I will wait until this development is farther along and look for feedback from homeowners.