finally house shopping - this weekend (Bethlehem, Harrisburg: for sale by owner, crime, credit)

[Timbass]

So, several of you have been helpful with my previous posts and this my last ditch effort at info gathering info before I fly to PA and see about 20 houses. (I may have more questions after).
Anyway, the realtor keeps saying how wonderful Hanover Twnshp is. I know I like the area, but I am not sure I am convinced airplane noise is not an issue. Anyone w experience there?

I've narrowed the search to Beth Twnshp, Hanover, Nazareth (to include Lower) and Upper and Lower Saucon.
I do see an interesting listing in Noprthamptoon as well. (any feedback on Northampton?)
Again, we are late 30's - may start a family - like nature and the occasional pub - may play live music in the basement occasionally.

I welcome your feedback.

Thanks

[Summering]

Well, if you find nothing that suits you. You might want to look just above the Lafayette College in Easton. A place called Forks. There is some very nice development going on, and the prices are quite good. They have very nice grade schools and the most wonderful community park. Lots of good sports and good shopping areas. Their own police force etc.
Plus, they have easy access to the Malls and shopping areas.
This would be off of Sulllivan Trail and Richmond..........

[KristyLiz]

Since you'll be in the area, just take a ride to Lower Macungie and look around - that's what I did, and really liked the feel of the area and here we are...

GOOD LUCK!!!

[toobusytoday]

It sounds like you are using one Realtor for the whole area, is that right? In my experience, that doesn't always work because one person cannot possibly know that big of an area well. They'll know where they live well and maybe another area near by but won't be able to tell you the pro's and con's of everywhere. Which is why your realtor may be talking to you about Hanover township - that's the area he's familiar with or maybe has several listings of his own. I can understand why you would do that though, since you can't keep coming back and narrowing it down over a period of time.

I love our home in Upper Saucon township, but more importantly, I love the nearby towns of Coopersburg and the people here. The location is great for getting on the main roads and there's plenty of shopping within minutes but alternatively, you can take back roads and just see farmland. My husband just left for work on his motorcycle and his only worries will be not hitting deer or wild turkeys.

I can't help you with most of the areas that you are looking at except for Upper and Lower Saucon because we didn't do any house hunting there. Lower Saucon (Northampton County) has the town of Hellertown in it, a cute little town with a Main street that seems to be getting better every year. Good schools and it's just over the hill from Bethlehem, and right next to Lehigh University.

Upper Saucon (strangely enough) is just SOUTH of Lower Saucon and DeSales University is within it's boundaries, as are Welcome to The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley . Center Valley doesn't really have a town, but the school district that Upper Saucon is part of is Southern Lehigh and comprises the townships of Upper Saucon, Lower Milford and the borough of Coopersburg. Residents of the school district tend to intermingle because it's such a small district and things center at the library Southern Lehigh Public Library, Center Valley, PA, the parks Welcome to Upper Saucon Township and the town of Coopersburg. Welcome to Coopersburg, Pennsylvania!. Of course, the teens will tell you it's all about the Promenade Shops and the Rave movie theatre there.

Good luck with your search!

[markas214]

Hanover Township is central to the LV and a great neighborhood. My parents live there. Air traffic at LVIA is sparse compared to large airports and is not an issue anywhere. The location of your employer would help narrow it down for you. It is possible to work almost anywhere in the LV and live in a great neighborhood ten minutes to your job. A lot of newcomers chose the outlying areas like Macungie but the locals can give you the scoop on inner areas. I live in West Bethlehem near 8th Ave and W Market. 10 minute walk to town. Homes ranging from $140,000 to over $700,000. Schools are great and crime is nearly non-existent. A former US Congressman lived next door and the former mayor now county commissioner's house ids around the corner. We have professors, doctors and blue collar all living in the same neighborhood. A true sense of community.

[Timbass]

That you all again for the insights provided. My research on the Macungies reveals that it could be great place to live, but Mapquest tells me it would be about 37 min commute to where I'll work (I will be at a Porsche Parts Facility in the Naz/Tatamy area). I sit is 1 hour of smoggy traffic everyday here in CA and I am looking to get some of thime back in PA.
Now I am heading there with a good feeling that virtually any of the towns I am looking at will be good choices.
I am sure I'll have more questions after my visits-
Thank you

[rheannad]

Hi timbass,
i suggest nazareth- i grew up there, moved away for several years, just came back and bought a home in nazareth with my husband. Nazareth is very close to tatamy- and it has great schools and is close to Jacobsburg Park for hiking. Its also a short drive to the Delaware Water Gap for recreation, hiking,boating etc. Nazareth also has a accesible downtown that you can walk to, where Hanover township is just sprawled out and no central downtown. It is important to me to have downtown to walk to with some local businesses, thats why we picked nazareth. College hill in Easton is also great- lafeyette college is on the hill and there are some beautiful homes and great stores and restraunts within walking distance- plus it is close to Tatamy- I'd stay away from hanover township but thats only my opinion!

[toobusytoday]

I agree with rheannad. Hearing that you will be working in the Nazareth/Tatamy area, it certainly makes sense to focus on Nazareth and that area. I think it's a great little town. http://www.nazarethborough.com/

[bee gee]

Upper Saucon is a great area with its award-winning Southern Lehigh School district. My kids were enrolled in the local elementary school, one of only two in the state with a Spanish Immersion program. They are now fluent in Spanish and earned 15(! )college credits when they entered college as freshmen.

We are relocating to Greensboro, N.C., with Mack Trucks and actually have had our home for sale by owner for a month or so, originally toying with a move to Tampa.

It's a great price for this area, which tends to have higher property values than some other Lehigh Valley areas.

We are 10 minutes from the Quakertown exchange of the Pa. Turnpike for trips to Philly and 10 minutes from Interstate 78 for trips to New York or Harrisburg.

We have a private backyard and a quiet street which is perfect for bike-riding for kids. It's great for morning walks as well. Some of the area is more rural with homes right on the main roads, which makes it tough when you have kids and they can't even walk down the street.

(advertising: link deleted)

Good luck in your search!
Brenda

[toobusytoday]

Brenda, Your direct message feature is not on, you might want to change that. One cannot post a house listing on this site due to the terms of service. http://www.city-data.com/forumtos.html

BTW, I think you live two streets over from me!