Is this part of Bethlehem rough? (Easton, Oxford: homes, middle school, place to live)

[monicapies]

I was driving through Bethlehem a month or two ago on a long road trip and stopped to get a drink at a supermarket on Stefko Boulevard. A Dollar Tree, Wine & Spirits store, and auto parts store that I forget the name of were all next door. The center looked pretty sad and run down. Is this area known for crime?

[PacoMartin]

Pembroke Village at 750 units is by far the largest public housing project in the city is within walking distance of Valley Farms. I think the Valley Farms supermarket is reasonably safe by itself.

There is a lot of gang activity in that part of town.

I went to middle school next to Pembroke Village there at the age of 12. While both my elementary and my middle school were within walking distance of the home where I grew up, it was a shocking difference. My elementary school seemed very calm, suddenly everyone was from Puerto Rico, and there was a guy fencing stolen jewelry in my home room. Naturally, I had braces and corrective lace up Oxfords, so I got punched in the face on several occassions.

[PacoMartin]

Although Bethlehem City is often cited as a good place to live, sometimes people are referring to the nearby townships.

The City proper can be more or less broken up into four regions

Population: Acres
19,343: 2,815 West Side in Lehigh County
20,082: 4,557 South Side (South of Lehigh River | 75% acreage is industrial)
12,031: 1,178 East Side (East of Easton Ave & Linden Street in South)
23,526: 3,797 Central and North

West side is mostly simple homes, safe but not much business
East Side as defined above is lower middle class, with many housing projects.
South side is the colorful industrial base, but the traditional center of immigration
Historic Center ranges from ultra expensive, the North is middle to upper middle class

With some exceptions, mostly people are talking about the Central and North sections of the city.

[loose cannon]

There is a great divide and separation. Go East past the shopping center through Pembroke and you are in the hood. Cross the street and it is safe. I would not worry too much about t. Mind your own business when going through there.

[loose cannon]

I now find myself working in the area, and am through there daily. It is fine.