rental homes (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton: crime, house, school districts)

[bigmomma6]

Can anyone tell me what the local newspaper is? And where is the best place to find rental homes? What part of allentown or easton is the best place for families? Por should I ask what areas to avoid?

[toobusytoday]

The morning call Lehigh Valley news, Allentown news, Bethlehem news, pocono news, Easton news from The Morning Call and mcall.com -- themorningcall.com and the Express times The Express-Times | Lehigh Valley PA Newspaper - lehighvalleylive.com I would avoid Allentown if I had a choice. Have you thought about Bethlehem? It's right between Easton and Allentown.

[bigmomma6]

Would you choose Bethlehem over Lehigh Valley? And if yes why? Is Allentown bad?

[toobusytoday]

Bethlehem is in the Lehigh Valley. Allentown is having a crime problem right now. Just read through this board for a few pages, or read The Morning Call on-line, and you'll see what's going on in Allentown. Bethlehem is a charming city with cute shops, two colleges and festivals all year long. Allentown is definately trying to improve and hopefully will make it, but right now it's not doing well. West Allentown is much better then the center of Allentown.

[bigmomma6]

Is Easton a nice place? How close are the stores? Shopping to Easton & Bethlehem?

[DaSkorpion]

Craigslist is another website to peruse if you are still looking for a rental home..!!!

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Originally Posted by bigmomma6

Can anyone tell me what the local newspaper is? And where is the best place to find rental homes? What part of allentown or easton is the best place for families? Por should I ask what areas to avoid?

[wowbaby]

those who live in bethlehem would never tell you to live in allentown and vice versa LOL! there are good and bad places in both areas. bethlehem and easton both have universities attached which tend to make a bit of a trendier town. downtown bethlehem is quiant and allentown is bigger. allentown is rougher cause it is bigger, but Bethlehem has its sketchy areas. really it just depends on which part of each area you were thinking of living.

where i live in bethlehem it is very suburban- 15 minutes North is slummy.

[toobusytoday]

I don't live Allentown, Bethlehem or Easton but have lived in this area for 11 years. Allentown has two colleges within city limits- Muhlenberg and Cedar Crest.

IMHO, Allentown is not "rougher" because it's bigger, it's just not as appealing because it's downtown is not as hmmm cool (?) as Bethlehem's. Bethlehem has cute little stores and an awesome bookstore, galleries and great restaurants. I feel fairly safe walking in Bethlehem day and most of the night. I've gone to Allentown for the symphony, museums, jury duty, etc but not just to walk around or shop.

There is crime in all three city's and yes, even in our small towns, but Allentown has more then it's share right now. I don't know what is going to change that.

[njbuyer]

Well, I have recently moved here (about 6 months ago). I work in Allentown, and drive through some of the "sketchy" parts each day. I would really do your research on all three towns - Easton, Allentown and Bethlethem. I looked into a lot before we bought a house here. I would also check out some of the smaller towns like Nazareth (it's a bit pricier, but worth it), and even Bath. Bath has some abundant rentals for a smaller town, which is surprising. Since you have kids, both the Nazareth and the Northampton school districts are good. Bath is part of the Northampton schools.

[toobusytoday]

Compared to the city schools Northampton Schools are good, but you really should check out this site before you decide on that: SchoolMatters - Home