Bethlehem a good place for a younger couple? (Allentown, Reading: city hall, crime)

[trmac]

My husband and I are moving to PA for my husband's job. We are looking at Bethlehem, Allentown, Reading, Lebanon, and Hershey Areas. Bethlehem is probably top on our list right now - but I'm wondering if it would be a good fit for us. We are both in our late 20's with our first baby on the way. We are not bar-goers but is there a fun downtown area with things do do - like nice restaurants and shops? Are there parks and/or trails in the city? I've read great things. Can anyone shed some light on this or compare it to the other cities I've mentioned?

[theshan]

Hi Trmac,

I have a little one, and think moving to Bethlehem has been a good choice for us. There's always a fair or festival, think Blueberry, Musikfest, Celticfest, plus all the Christmas stuff. Parks are okay--not as nice and new as some of the suburban areas, and there is the towpath/trail along the Lehigh River. We are regulars at the downtown library story time and it is always full--plenty of other moms around. The old downtown area is cute to bring visitors to, but I don't frequent the shops as they are a bit spendy. There is a fantastic toy store there where I can take my son to play at the train table. There are plenty of Kindermusik, Little Gym, etc around if that's your thing.

Since we are from out of state, I can't help you with comparing it to the other cities, but I'm sure other members can help out.

[toobusytoday]

If you want to live IN a city and don't have to worry about schools, Bethlehem is a nice place to live. As theshan said, there is always a festival going on. Lots of musical venues. Nearby DeSales University has a wonderful theatre department and they hold quite a few childrens performances. Of course, Lehigh and Moravian are within the city limits of Bethlehem so there is always something going on at their campuses also. The streets are very walkable. I think there are a lot of restaurants to choose from, but that's comparing it to my small town. All in all, it's a nice smallish city.

You don't want to live in Allentown. They have a bit of a crime problem right now. But their museum's and parks are great and very close to Bethlehem. Hawk mountain is within an hours drive and it has fantastic hiking. Actually, for real hiking and things like canoeing, kayaking and skiing- you can do all of that within an hour of Bethlehem.

You might want to post below for more information about the other cities. I don't have any first hand information about them.

[ScranBarre]

Hello! I personally think Bethlehem would be your best option out of the tri-city area. It has two distinct "downtown" area---one called the "North Side" and one called the "South Side." The North Side is home to the Moravian Historic District area and has a bit more of a Norman Rockwell and family-friendly feeling to it, whereas I get more of an up-and-coming and/or bohemian feel from the South Side, where you'll find the Banana Factory (artists' colony), nightlife, the Lehigh University campus, and the major upcoming Sands' BethWorks Casino project. Once that particular project is complete, I feel as if the South Side will really start to take off as being a premier nightlife destination in the Lehigh Valley (no more spending Friday nights hitting up MacArthur Road).

Here are some photos I have taken of both downtown areas, which are separated by the Lehigh River in this city of 75,000. If I were to ever leave my native Scranton (which I won't because I think it's an up-and-comer), Bethlehem would be my choice.

NORTH SIDE






Surveying the town from the roof of a parking garage on the North Side.


A stream and park that run between the North Side and the West Side of town.




















The immediate "downtown" area of the North Side, concentrated largely along Main Street. The construction here was a hindrance, but it is probably for the betterment of the town.






















The Moravian Historic District area on the edge of Downtown North Side, where you'll find the historic Moravian Cemetery, tree-lined streets, historic homes, and...






...the consolidated "campus-like" setting of the city's police department, city hall, library, gardens, etc. set on a bluff with this awesome view of the bridge linking the North Side to the South Side...



SOUTH SIDE









Crossing the bridge between North Side and South side, you'll see the Lehigh River and the hulking remains of the old Bethlehem Steel Company, which are being converted into the massive Sands BethWorks Casino project. You'll also come across this beautifully-painted entryway that is designed to help bridge the cultural gap with the city's exploding Hispanic population.











Some scenes from the main drag in downtown South Side.






Some images of the site of the new Sands BethWorks Casino project, which will feature a casino, residential units, shopping, dining, etc.


HEE-HAW!!!

[loose cannon]

Very close to the horse which was created by the artist Mr. Imagination is the legendary Your Welcome Inn. Also the Wildflower Cafe is across the street. Next time try and get a picture of those two landmarks.

[Rtom45]

We've been away from Bethlehem for awhile now, but maybe I can help you out. Our kids grew up there, at least the early part of their lives. We always had stuff to do. They were in scouts, they played organized ball, every Sunday in the fall was soccer at the lehigh university fields. I worked on one of the Musikfest committees - that was (is?) a great event. And the Celtic classic was just beginning to take hold the last couple years we were there. Lehigh and Moravian drew some big names (Jimmy Cater for example). Lafayette and Muhlenberg colleges aren't far, as well as some others. Lots of shopping, lots of restaraunts. If you like fishing, there's a trout stream that runs thru town. If I had to pick one negative thing about the area, I say it was getting a little too crowded for us. Lots of traffic and too many people.

[Matt_PSU]

Lol, I don't think the sketchy tunnel on the south side of the Fahy bridge is a selling point to the city.

Seriously though, Bethlehem is best in the area for nightlife/culture/etc. However there are much better choices for your kids to attend school in.

[jeffvivian]

The neat thing about living in the valley, is your really only 10 to 20 mins away from anything you would want to do (excluding surfing which is a passion of mine). So even if you settled out of the bethlehem area in like Nazareth or Hanover your still minutes away from Restaurants & Trails etc.