LeHigh Valley/Allentown...The Good and The Bad (Bethlehem, Easton: real estate, apartment)

[redsox9185]

I was born and raised in Allentown however got away for college and have traveled and lived in many places in my short life. Allentown itself is not what it used to be said to say and sadder to see. Public education around here has gone down immensely, crime has risen, gangs are present, & low income has taken over. The suburbs however, are generally nicer neighborhoods and nicer homes. But just remember you have problems no matter where you are nowhere is perfect.

If you're looking for the suburb life with the proximity to the city I would check out Salisbury Township and South Whitehall Township (the homes and neighborhoods are nicer but some addresses are still listed as Allentown). As for Allentown itself, the west end and deep south side have always been known as the nicer sections. Basically when it comes to Allentown, it depends what your address is to determine how good the neighborhood is; just like an city. Gangs in Allentown: hard to really say where you will come across them. Obviously you want to stay away from Center City it's a dump & the crime is highest in that area not to mention you're looking at parking issues, and city life in row homes for the most part. Gangs are still prevalent in all of the city schools which are spread throughout the city especially the middle and high schools however working in the school system; I've seen it even in the elementary schools. But don't forget; a lot of the suburban kids want to act tough and will try to join in the gangs or create their own so nowhere is a place to completely avoid it.

When it comes to local grown food, the Lehigh Valley is where it's at. We offer a lot of delicious home grown produce in farmer's markets and grocery stores. The Allentown Farmer's Market is open year round Thursday thru Sunday. Valley Farm Market is a grocery store in Allentown & Bethlehem using all local produce. Organic and ethnic food is also widely found at Wegmans. Hey, around here you can even drive by the dairy where your milk and eggs come from!

One thing about Allentown that is well known and we should be thankful for is our parks system. It's one of the greatest in the nation and groups from around the world visit yearly to see what we're doing and how it works so well. I work for the recreation department and we have a lot to offer the residents if you take an interest and get involved. Those who complain about the parks aren't seeing the beauty in them and taking advantage of the opportunities available to them! There's a lot of tradition alive and ongoing thanks to General Harry C. Trexler and his trust funds. For example, we have a summer program called Romper Day which just started yesterday and is in its 96th year. It's an 8 week program for children ages 7-15 where they participate (at their respective playground) in games, sports, dances, and drills. They go on trips to other parks for events, swimming pools, etc... and they also practice for their program. At the end of the summer, each playground is ranked for the program (games, dances, Flag Drill, Maypole, etc...) and put on a wonderful program in early August at J. Birney Crum Stadium. It's quite the sight to see and you won't find any program this well developed in the country (believe me I've searched!!!).

As for being conservative around here I don't see it one bit! We are open minded people for the most part who welcome outsiders because at this point most of the people are outsiders. And as for the alternative lifestyle living it's not as bad as that person claims it is. As a gay woman living in Allentown I have absolutely no problems with the city. In fact it's better than some of the bigger cities because you won't have it shoved down your throat about the gay community but it is there. Yes, you will have the annual things like Pride in the Park but for the most part it's not like San Fran or P-Town where rainbow flags will be shoved in your face, which is nice! You're more likely to see Puerto Rican flags everywhere than rainbow ones haha.

Overall, the Lehigh Valley isn't that bad of a place and can be very safe depending where you choose to live. I may sound biased because this is and has always been my home & I've been very involved in the city, community, and area but this is how I look at it: I may complain about where I'm from and make fun of it but it opened my eyes to the world. The area has taught me about diversity early on which turned me into a very open minded person; which I'm THANKFUL for in the long run.

But trust me I don't sugar coat I will give the good and bad to anything!

[DaveyW]

Hi, We're long-time Chicagoans who will be moving to PA or someplace near on account of family stuff. The Lehigh Valley looks interesting, and is far enough from the relatives to be comfortable but close enough not to have to fly or drive for hours. Reading these forums it's hard to get a read on what crime, gangs, and "dump" mean because that's what suburbanites would think of our current neighborhood, which I think is a great place. I was attracted to the Valley because of the small cities with colleges and universities, what looks like close access to the country, and fairly easy access to Philly, NYC, etc.

My idea of a great small city is Madison, WI, Ann Arbor, MI, Chapel Hill, NC, probably Ithaca, NY. But a lot of forum posts make the Valley cities sound more like Gary, IN or Newark. Just thought of a way to ask the question: if somebody living, say, in South Philly visited Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton, would they think more like "Wow, cowtown" or "Slummier than my neighborhood" or "string of suburbs" or "too quiet", or what do you think?

[toobusytoday]

The only one of the towns you've mentioned that I am familiar with is Ithaca. Bethlehem is alot like Ithaca. I'm not really familiar with South Philly, except for driving through on the way to a Phillies game. I drive through and stop in Allentown pretty often. As I've said, my church is in West Allentown. I don't think there is any area in Allentown or Bethlehem (I really am not that familiar with Easton) like places I've seen in Philadelphia where you'll see a whole block of boarded up houses and shady looking characters. Allentown is just an old town that is trying hard to revitalize itself. Bethlehem has somehow succeeded and is now a pretty cool place.

Bethlehem always has something going on and there are always out of towners strolling main street and the restaurants are always crowded. In Allentown the goal is to park close to where you need to go so you can get in and get out quickly.

[Jorsay]

We are moving to Lehigh. Does anyone know anything about which school districts are the most supportive for:

Autistic children

wrestling

Home schooling

Thanks,

[PA.Dutchman]

Take a chance and ask on this other link, and address your question directly to Bob and David. Bob is a decent, honorable and caring member of the Allentown School Board.

David is also involved with some of the issues you are asking about and let them know you need a honest and complete answer.

I volunteered in one of the center city Elementary Schools. We had a child who was we were told mildly Autistic he was in Second Grade.

It took the Second Grade Teacher working with the child's mother to finally have the child sent to a school or learning center next fall equipped to properly help this child. I would have thought someone might have caught this sooner, it was hard for the child.

As a volunteer I was pretty much assigned to be his helper, he really needed individual attention, by this alert Teacher and the child and I became good friends.

TheAllentownCommentator : The Allentown Commentator

[allentownrocks]

The best thing about the Lehigh Valley is that it is a valley. The rivers, creeks, hillsides and mountains are breathtaking. The trails in Allentown and the surrounding area are wonderful. The arts are very good, and for the money, worth exploring rather than going into NYC or Philly.

That said, the people tend toward being narrow-minded, sexist and racist (the longer their families have lived here, the worse it is). I have lived in several parts of the country and, IMHO, this place is as bad as Houston, TX in this way.

The city of Allentown is the most open-minded community I have come across. Please consider this when you hear criticisms of Allentown. I believe that much of it is simply racism.

[loose cannon]

[quote=allentownrocks;9842192]The best thing about the Lehigh Valley is that it is a valley. The rivers, creeks, hillsides and mountains are breathtaking. The trails in Allentown and the surrounding area are wonderful. The arts are very good, and for the money, worth exploring rather than going into NYC or Philly.

Compared to Toledo Ohio or Flint Michigan the arts are good, but lets not get carried away. Nothing compares to NYC. Philadelphia also has a vibrant scene which in some cases has partnerships and cooperation with the LV. But, lets be realistic and have perspective.

[MickeyLee]

Well I hail from Western New York, half way between Buffalo and Erie, PA right on Lake Erie, so what do I have to look forward to with my husband and daughter if we decide we are going to move to Allentown and Macungie areas? We have decided this is where we want to be, jobs are in the making for us both to transfer, we want to meet new people and we want our daughter to enjoy high school as she is beginning the 9th grade this year...! Any thoughts on where we can live? We are avid boaters and need a lake or body of water near by? Any help would be appreciated.

[PA.Dutchman]

You might want to go to this site, there are a number of newer arrivals to Allentown who maybe able to help you. They were told the area around our century old West Park was a prime area to settle. They know better now.

I really doubt you want your children to attend the Allentown School District School, they have a full time Police Officers in the JR. and Senior Highs and Security Officers in the Elementary Schools.

I don't know an area of Allentown that has not been hit by crime and criminals any longer.

Try Emmaus, Fogelsville, Wescosville, Schnecksville or one of the Macungie. Stay out of Allentown.

There are several lakes with in an hour or two of the area for your boat. Depending on the boat you aren't that far from the Shore.

We have several friends in Hazelton and they tell us it is as bad as Allentown.

Oh you can listen to the other person if you like. Our family settled here in 1753. It was a nice place to live until 20 years ago. Our State Senator Karen Breyer stated that Allentown is now "A HUB OF DRUGS AND GANGS BETWEEN NY AND PHILADELPHIA."

We had our 9 th murder last weekend for 2009.

Go to the other site and ask what people think about Allentown there. You will get both new arrivals and old timers.

My son moved just below Erie, he would not move back here for any amount of money or promises. Neither of our sons would ever move back here, as soon as we retire we are gone too.

TheAllentownCommentator : The Allentown Commentator

[Hanover5]

Matt JD - Didn't your parents tell you if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing. Stereotypes are just that! I am from the midwest, where everyone is nice, and its nice here too. Come on, we are smarter than that aren't we? Look around... I am a democrat who is nothing like what you described!