Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton? What's Your Favorite? (Philadelphia, Scranton: high crime, house)

[ScranBarre]

As we all know, the Lehigh Valley, an area that is now collectively home to roughly 800,000 residents, is anchored by three "hub" cities---Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton---that straddle two counties---Lehigh and Northampton. This entire area continues to undergo a rebirth from a formerly-declining industrial center into an exurb, or "bedroom community" if you will, of Northern New Jersey and Philadelphia. While most of the prosperity in recent years has been focused outside of the region's three primary cities in terms of new housing developments, big-box stores, etc., I've been keep abreast of the positive developments underway in each city in the region and am cautiously optimistic by what I see.

What is your favorite city in the Lehigh Valley, and why? I have voted for Bethlehem. In case you couldn't tell by my 2007 photo tour of a large chunk of the city, Bethlehem has a soft spot in my heart (just behind Scranton of course). The North Side reminds me quite a bit of a colonial village with the Moravian architecture, tree-lined streets, sidewalk cafes, and independent merchants and restaurants while the South Side reminds me of an up-and-coming entertainment district with Lehigh University, the Banana Factory, Sands BethWorks, and some cool shops and pubs. West Bethlehem also seemed to be a very stable area; contrary to what I had heard from others before visiting for my tour I did not feel "unsafe" in the least bit.

I have never stepped foot in Easton, but I'd imagine that with the Crayola Factory downtown, a stragic position on the Delaware River adjacent to the NJ border for easy commutes, etc. that it could reinvent itself very quickly. Allentown is a city I've heard is very run-down and crime-ridden, but from what I've seen from MSN Virtual Earth there are actually very many upscale-looking areas, especially to the south end of the city where some posh McMansions were visible near what appeared to be a country club. I've always liked Billy Joel's song "Allentown" as well because it reminded me of the blue-collar roots that Pennsylvania's struggling older cities all have.

What are your opinions?

[toobusytoday]

I voted for Bethlehem too but Allentown has some things going for it. The beautiful parks all over the city are nice. The architecture downtown is classic. The new Iron Pigs Stadium is very cool as is Dorney Park. And did you all catch that bike race downtown last week?? That's the kind of activities that Allentown needs!

[KristyLiz]

I voted for Bethlehem as well.

Being new to the area, I'm not terribly familiar with any of the cities, but from what I've seen so far - and heard from my husband who works in Bethlehem - I think the city has a lot going for it!

I hope the growth you speak of continues for a good long while - it really is a great area.

[Rtom45]

We lived in the area for 25 years, from Allentown to Macungie to New Tripoli to Bethlehem. We liked Bethlehem the best.

[ichiroll]

I voted Bethlehem also. I think the contrast between north and south, presence of a very good university, and upcoming development of the casino, is very exciting.

I think the above things will help Bethlehem keep it's identity, while I feel Allentown is more known for the transportation/warheouse hubs.

Living in the Easton area, I hope that the they keep improving/expanding on the town circle since it IS a strategic location, and it's the first thing people see coming in from NJ! It's their first impression of the Lehigh Valley, so I think it's in the best interest of the city to make it a good one.

[ScranBarre]

Wow! All eight votes thus far are for Bethlehem. Obviously they are doing something right!

[DaSkorpion]

Paul, you know damn right I am definitely reppin for Bethlehem as well - how you been and whats' new up in your area.

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Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Wow! All eight votes thus far are for Bethlehem. Obviously they are doing something right!

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by DaSkorpion

Paul, you know damn right I am definitely reppin for Bethlehem as well - how you been and whats' new up in your area.

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Howdy! I'm doing just fine up here. I just saw a rather large fire on the way home from work, and I'm dying to find out what burned. I've been working a hell of a lot of hours at the salt mine as I save up for my new car (still trying to decide between a Corolla, Civic, Focus, or Mazda3), and I've been battling some rather severe seasonal allergies. I've just switched to Zyrtec this evening, so we'll see if I improve. If not it might be off to the allergist for me! How are things down in the Lehigh Valley?

[FightinPhils]

Bethlehem is probably the nicest and most up-and-coming, but what about Easton? I've only been there a couple of times, most recently to the Crayola Factory...but it seems like a nice little city. Lots of nice historic homes and buildings. Is there high crime in Easton?

[zansky]

I voted for Bethlehem because we liked it enough to buy a house and are moving there and I don't know much about the other cities yet