Looking for some info on Bethlehem Pa area(Northampton)

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by chasm1964

hello my wife and i are thinking about relocating to bethlehem pa. we go to bethlehem 3 to 5 times a year to check out area's. but we have a delema!

we are torn between long island and bethlehem we need some help guiding us towards moving to bethlehem?

cons about ny
taxes
cost of living
people
long island turning into nyc

cons about moving to bethlehem
find jobs for both of us
family ( we will be 2 hours away from our family's)
less money per hour for me not my wife


so we need help deciding .... please help http://www.city-data.com/forum/image...ies/oglvvd.gif

Chasm1964, I'm in the same boat as you trying to make the same decision. Here's a sum up of the conclusion I've come to on here...

1. People in PA are friendly as seen though a Long Islander's eyes. A lot of people say they aren't, but as a Islander, I see PA people to be more friendly than here.

2. DO get a job before you move. Several people who have done the most complaining moved without a secure income. NEVER NEVER NEVER do that! It's setting yourself up for failure. How can you be happy in a new place if you can't afford your bills. It's the reason we're leaving the Island - lets leave with hope for the future, instead of the same old problems, new place.

3. Two hours is not that bad. I don't know about you - but I have family that is 30 mins away and I see them maybe once a month. Sometimes if you have to put the effort in (drive 2 hours), you actually will make plans to see the family more often. Besides, if they come out to see you and see how well you're doing - maybe they'll consider moving too! (that's my evil plan.......)

4. LI taxes SUCK. A lot! Though PA'ers complain they pay high taxes, it will be considered low for us. Be aware though, not all places have the ammenities we're used to with taxes, such as garbage removal. You may have to contract for these things on your own. However, if you're environmentally conscious, you may not have that much garbage anyway and it could be a savings. Sometimes I wish they'd switch to that kind of a policy everywhere. Why should I pay the same to have my 1 can a week picked up as my neighbors with their 8 cans a week do?

Overall, if you can find a job and better your life by living in a less taxing (pun intended) place, I say Go for it. With the extra money, you can drive out to visit the family or have them train into NYC and pick them up there to visit you. In the end, you need to do what is best for your family.

Oh, and I've got a few posts out there with bill comparisons to see how much of a savings different areas in PA are. Compare that with your LI bills and you may still come out ahead with a lower salary.

Just my $.02.

[keithlantz]

I-78 commuting is a lot better in the past year or so since gas prices went through the roof in the summer of 2008. The commute is better since many people are telecommuting or working one day from home. Also, the commute is easier in the summer months when most people are on vacations and gets worse in the fall.