Relocating to Allentown-help needed (Bethlehem, Whitehall: to rent, crime, buying a house)

[Allliswell]

I am relocating to Allentown, PA for a job. I am looking for a place to rent for a while before buying a house. I don't want to live in Allentown (after hearing the information about crime). I am looking for a place to rent in nearby areas. I am thinking of Bethlehem or whitehall area. I would appreciate your feed back.

Thanks
Allliswell

[atownresident]

I will take this opportunity to respond by saying believe only half of what you see and none of what you hear. Do you not think that Bethlehem or Whitehall experience crime? If you are completely against living in Allentown then nothing I say will sway you then I wish you luck. But if you are open minded and do your research on the nicer areas of Allentown I am sure you will find a nice affordable place to live. Yes certain areas in Allentown are experiencing crime but that crime does not ooze through out the entire city. Just because you enter Allentown does not put a bulls eye on you marking you as a future crime victim. Allentown needs more good people to move in and establish residence within the city. I am amazed how some people will just dismiss Allentown based upon the say so of somebody else. Whatever you choose make an informed decision and I am sure you will be pleased with the result.

[janeannwho]

Atown
I am in shock that people on this board really think that there is an abundance of crime in the Lehigh Valley. Is the security hysteria of the Bush administration filtering down to make people so fearful that they are now only buying homes in hermetically sealed areas. Funniest thing is that I have lived in many places, and you would think that crime was rampant and we were in the last days everywhere. However, the only place my car has ever been broken into was a secure lot on an Air Force Base in Kansas, and my son's friend's house in a secure gated, pricey community in Summerlin NV was broken into. So I guess I am just figuring I like to be free and that includes living in cities even if they are "dangerous"

[atownresident]

janeannwhoo
yes you are correct. It seems some feel that cities=crime and suburbs="safety". The City of Allentown in my opinion has more positives that are really never highlighted by the media. You only have to look at the redevelopment that is happening. Not to mention the cultural events and the second to none park system that is within the city limits. In the lehigh valley no other park system is on par with Allentown.
For all its positives some people will still be nay-sayers, but I will not waste my time trying to change their minds. My focus is to inform people that are considering a move to the City of Allentown that it is a viable option. A well informed decision is much better then a rash decision based upon incomplete information or prejudices.

[toobusytoday]

For some of us, it's not all about crime, it's about finding a comfortable fit. I'm a small town person and have never lived in a city and don't really care to. We've also put public schools as a high priority. Those two things preclude the possiblity at even looking at ANY city. I think it's important that potential newcomers are aware of both the positive and negatives but I admit my own preferences do come into play. I think we can all admit to that.

[janeannwho]

atownresident
I guess I have to wonder about the school situation. We sent our kids to the public schools in Las Vegas, one in the heart of Henderson and the other, the International Studies group was in the heart of old Las Vegas and both got first rate educations even in an area considered to not have good schools. Now reading about Allentown High Schools, the amount spent on students is very low, but I have to assume that there are students in honors, etc throughout the district.

[janeannwho]

toobusy

i just have had the good fortune to live on a farm, on military bases, in downtown areas, in the suburbs, and no matter where I ended up, I made myself comfortable and enjoyed the amenities that were available. So I do understand your preferences, I just worry that when we get too comfortable, we might miss the great adventures in our life. I have the most fond memories of playing in the coal cellar of the house on Chew St., and being able to walk to the tavern with my Dad and Mom on W Broad St in Bethlehem for pizza night (Fridays, no meat), of the grand voyages across the fields between Clearview and Kelchner Road in Bethlehem while 378 was being built, of driving like a maniac on the wonderful country roads that are now part of the Parkland area. And yet, I love to drive up 33 and see new homes, new families, the whole growth of area between Allentown and Kutztown where you had drive slowly behind the one horse wagons, etc. I love the growth and I love remembering the past. All one big story. And your family is making your story in your home. When it comes right down to it, we are all still living in mud and sticks, with a little oil (plastic) on the side.

[toobusytoday]

But Janeann, Even if you moved into the same house you grew up in, your kids would not have the same experiences you did, right? It's not like this area has stayed the same while you moved around. I found it kind of depressing to go back to my hometown in Delaware and saw the old stores boarded up or changed, the movie theatre closed and since my parents moved out even before we did, no one there to really connect with - it was just weird and sad.

Everytime we moved (12 times? in our almost thirty years of marriage) was a new experience - I didn't need to live in a city to find something different. I think after so much moving, I wanted to finally live in a place that WAS comfortable. I'll take my adventures while on vacation - we're going to visit our daughter in China in April!

[janeannwho]

Cool Toobusy. Well actually I am agreeing with you that each person should find a place they like, I just think alot of people on these boards make a big deal out of crime and bad schools that is not reality, but perception. I think you live as you choose, but I get a bit put off by the disdain I hear for the good people who live in the cities. Gazillions of people live in cities worldwide and I just refuse to believe they are all criminals or inadequately educated. And that is what we hear alot on these boards. And actually yes, my kids love to go back to Downtown Allentown, Downtown Las Vegas, Downtown Rochester

[BillyBurrito]

Allentown seems to be starting an upswing and certainly alot of work there. Wouldn't chose to live there, I'm a small town person also!

If you're looking for a quiet, family town there are plenty of great areas within a short commute. You can get a nice home with a yard in a quiet, safe community and still enjoy the benefits of Allentown for your work.

An easy 20 min south of Allentown is Quakertown PA. Quiet, family oriented, and growing. Small town values and feel but close to all the modern conveniences. Lots of new communities and vey affordable newer homes - best value in the area. Plenty of things to do, amazing parks, centrally located, close to major roadways and shopping. Lots of open space. Excellent A+++ school system. Can't imagine raising my family any other place but here in Quakertown!