Is the Lehigh Valley merging with the New York Metro? (Allentown: houses, schools)

[UrbanQuest]

I think know might be a fair time to analyze this possibility. There has been a huge amount of sprawl in the Lehigh Valley directly attributed to New York/New Jersey commuters. In fact, the North Jersey/NY people are now interested in living in the cities of of the area. Easton and Bethlehem being the obvious ones. I have looked at the commuting patterns between the Lehigh Valley counties. The 15% commuter threshold for Northampton county is achived with NY/NJ and Allentown. When you look at the Lehigh Valley as a whole the 15% requirement is probably not met as Carbon County is also included in the Lehigh Valley metro. I could definitely see Northampton and obviously Warren county, NJ joining the New York Metro. This is difficult however because Allentown and Bethlehem are so closely intertwined. I don't see them splitting up. I know people in Macungie commute to New York, but I imagine that must be a small number.

What do you guys think?

[toobusytoday]

I hope not. I LIKE regional differences and the unique feel of the Lehigh Valley, and do not want to be considered part of NYC.

Practically, until regional rail comes to this area I don't think that there will be a surge of newcomers to Bethlehem and regions west of it. It's just too far of a commute. Easton area and the areas around there are probably not too bad of a commute, especially for people that will be commuting to North Jersey and not Manhattan. I know several pilots actually that are based in Newark and live here.

[PA.Dutchman]

The only people I know that want a Railroad link to New York and Jersey are people who have relocated here from New York and Jersey.

The locals have lived successfully and happily for many decades without any kind of link to New York or Jersey or PR.

The bus business has brought enough trouble into the area already.

It has been established some of the cars stolen are taken by people who took the bus here and drove back in a car they stole in the valley.

[loose cannon]

i do not share these small minded mentalities. If people want to move, let them move. I would like a train because it would be helpful to those who rely on public transportation. It would be easier for people to attend a concert in NYC and not have to stay overnight. Although, sometimes that is fun if the money is there. As far as buses the Bieber and Trans Bridge buses should expand their service by having buses leave Port Authority at 1 or 2 in the morning. Bus service to Philly should also be improved. Right now it is terrible.

[toobusytoday]

I like the idea of public transit in theory, it's better for the environment to have a mass amount of people taking trains or buses instead of individually driving. However, I've moved from places that were pleasant small towns and are now suburbia supreme due to improved sewers and excessive development. I love new people, new ideas but I don't want our farmland taken away and houses built and our schools overcrowded because it is now convenient to live here.