How is the Allentown area for raising kids? (Philadelphia, Bethlehem: elementary schools, living)

[Local hero]

Originally Posted by namaw

Hey Local, so nice reminicing with you. Remember how Hess's reaked of fancy with the models in the Patio resturant. The HUGE desserts you could feed a small family on. I remember the store clerk at Leh's got Bill Leh on the phone to make sure my refridge was delivered the next day because I had children. Santa at Hess's. The parades. underground bathrooms that were clean and safe, 50 cent movies with cartoons first. Oh boy!!! Thanks so much.
Breaks my heart when I go visit my kids and think of "the Casino" coming. Bye Bye Bethlehem.

Strawberry Pie with some whipped cream

[KristyLiz]

My husband works in Bethlehem and after a long search of the Lehigh valley, we moved to Lower Macungie. We've been here a little over a year now, and are very happy!

We are in the East Penn school district which is rated very highly, and so far, so good.

We are in a development and our 3 kids have tons of other kids to play with - very safe, very friendly, really nice place to live.

There are lots of transplants in this area, so making friends is very easy.

Please don't listen to the nay sayers, take a drive out and see for yourself, and please ask all the questions you want.

Good luck!

[LEHIGH VALLEY RN]

I would recommend the Bethlehem area. The school district offers a better education than Allentown. Hanover township is a nice area as well as Bethlehem township.

[sunshine18102]

allentown is horrible. do not move here and bring your kids. Killings, crime, gangs, drugs and drug dealers. The south side , west side and east are better then the north side. The jefferson elem school on the side side is a great school with good teachers. my kids went there.. I lived on the south for 4 years and loved it. I lived on the north side for 11 years and hate it. My 14 year old son is getting into so much trouble here. I want to move to flordia or ca in 2 years and i hope they past quick You did not say if you are renting or buying but the houses are selling cheap and the rents are good too..

[sunshine18102]

Originally Posted by Local hero

Strawberry Pie with some whipped cream

. I never had the strawberry pie but i heard it was good. I sure do miss hess;s.

[doghandler]

Allentown is rough. If you don't have to live in Allentown, maybe you can commute? The Brandywine school district is good. We live in Topton, which is in Berks County, just over the Lehigh County border to the west. Very small town, great neighbors, surrounded by preserved farm land, etc.

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by curious1104

My family and I are considering relocating to the Allentown area. We have three small kids with one on the way. How are the schools in the area? We are looking for a smaller town feel with good schools, safe, family friendly neighborhoods and activities. If anyone has any recommendations, we would appreciate it. Thanks!

Please note that the OP never mentioned living IN Allentown, he's talking about a small town in the Allentown area.

[scorpio_e]

If you have enough money,you can live in Allentown and pay for a private school. When I thought about moving to the area, we drove by the high school and said OH NO !!!!!

[allentownrocks]

Okay, everything is not 100% perfect in Allentown, but many believe that Allentown is coming back. Evidence of the revitalization is everywhere. Look at the work that has been done on 7th Street. You see new facades, cafe style seats, new waste receptacles and planters, and now new street lights.

For all of the criticisms, downtown Allentown has 15,000 employees who work there and some good restaurants. I know people who live in Old Allentown who LOVE it. There is an emerging arts scene and a lot of creativity going on. It's not for people who want to live in a new-vinyl sided, particle-board house in a corn field, but it is a good place to live.

The school system is presently involved in a huge building campaign (I think that they are investing something like $90 million in new buildings). The entire district is a walking district. So, for people who want a community in which their kids can walk to school, Allentown is it.

The safety thing is inaccurately depicted by suburbanites. It's more dangerous for a kid to grow up in the suburbs than in Allentown, because of the risk of car accidents (especially when they are teens).

Allentown has a great park system, too.

[PA.Dutchman]

Sunshine is right, try to avoid the Allentown School District. The School District is in Federal Court now for not stopping the rape of 3 1ST Grade boys by a 12 year old at Central Elementary School.

The 12 year old raped one 1 ST grade boy in the Boys Rest Room and the school, the Principal nor the Superintendent of Schools reported the crime to Police.

When the fourth boy was raped his parents went to police and discovered NO ONE had reported any of the rapes. The other 3 boys did not have to suffered this horrible assault had the school district reported the first one immediately.

Here is the Morning Call link to the story of the Justice Department wanting in on the law suit, there are more follow up stories if you search the MC site.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-...,1539405.story

This past month the United States Department of Justice asked the parents and attorneys of the victims if they could join their law suit against the Allentown School District.

Now even the Department of Justice is now involved on the side of the 3 First Grade Victims and their parents.

Wm Allen High School has at least one fight or more a week after school. Police have to be there for every dismissal time. Last year a youth was stabbed in West Park after school during a rumble.