Moving to Bethlehem/Nazareth area- need your help (Allentown, Easton: condo, how much)

[GraceyLu]

Hello all, my husband and I are looking to move to the Bethlehem/Nazareth/surrounding areas soon. I’ve answered the questions below and would love your input as to which towns best fit our criteria.
Thanks so much in advance!

PLEASE BOLD FONT YOUR PRIORITIES

When are you moving? Within the next 3-4 months

Where are you coming from? Kenilworth, NJ. We are in the process of selling our home.

Why are you moving? We want more land (at least a ½ acre) and less taxes (prefer property taxes to stay below $5500). We like more of a quiet country setting rather than the city.

Where will you be working? My husband works in Morristown, NJ and is willing to commute up to an hour but preferably no farther. He’ll be doing this until he can retire in 7 years. My job is ending in 3 months. I will look for a job when we move. I’ve been in dentistry for 35 years as a registered dental assistant and an Endodontic (root canal specialist) office manager. I have a valid PA x-ray license. Willing to commute up to 30 minutes with new job.

Have you been here yet? We’ve visited Bethlehem, Allentown, Nazareth and Easton. Loved Bethlehem and Nazareth. Not crazy about Easton unless it’s in a good area on the outskirts with land.

Will you buy or rent? Buy

If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? House

How much can you spend? $350,000 – we are willing to take on a fixer-upper just not a tear-down.

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with adult children so schools are not an issue.

Do you have pets? We have 1 spoiled chihuahua.

Do you want or need a yard? Yes, definitely.

Are you keeping a car? Two cars

Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Calm and quiet with a little bustling nearby but not too nearby. We loved downtown Bethlehem and prefer to be within 20 minutes of a variety of restaurants.

What do you want to be closest to? Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) Willing to drive 20 minutes or so to such places.

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Prefer not to live in a development with lots of kids around. Race, religion & sexual preference are no issue for us. Although we are Roman Catholic so a church within 20-30 minutes would be nice.

Phillies or Mets? Ugggggg…….YANKEES ALL THE WAY.

Edited to add that we are looking for at least 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths preferably with a garage.

[toobusytoday]

I think Nazareth will fit your needs, except for the commute time if either of you will be driving during peak times. Route 78 is often clogged and gets backed up with construction, accidents and just too many vehicles. Also, prices right now are at an all time high. It's a sellers market. I think you've done your homework well and don't know of any other town that is within that distance and price range.

[blazerj]

I don't know how Covid has affected commute times, but pre Covid it was about 45 minutes from the PA border to I-78 in NJ. I'd assume Morristown is another 10-45 minutes, since I-287 is for commuters and traffic was (not sure now) heavy.