Nazareth (Middletown, Hellertown: new home, neighborhoods, school district)

[kellyi]

What comes to mind when you think of the town of Nazareth? I'm just trying to get a few honest opinions on what the town's reputation is....thanks!

[loose cannon]

'The "Holy" Family Club and the toothless Nascar drunks that dwell there.

[toobusytoday]

Nice Main street, large houses and beautiful scenery.

[LifetimeLocal]

Alcoholic's and overpriced neighborhoods

[kellyi]

Oh my goodness....lol ok I guess my researching didn't show all the AA meetings around town. I may be making a HUGE mistake in choosing this as our new hometown by the sounds of it's rep. Not good. Keep it coming - I need to hear these negatives that I am unaware of! Thanks in advance!

[kellyi]

How about Hellertown?

[pennsynative]

kellyi, speaking as someone who totally overanalyzes everything, I think you may be doing the same. Nazareth is a nice historic town. Yes, there are some issues, especially lately with some drug arrests in town, etc. however, you will find that in every town in the nation these days. Hellertown has its pluses and minuses also. It didn't sound to me like you were planning on living "in town" anyway as I believe you were looking at Upper and Lower Nazareth Townships. They are similar to each other but Upper is, at least to me, a bit more rural in access to shopping and highways, but still not bad. We have relocated several times and I've done the same type of research as you seem to be doing. What I've found is that it is important to drive around the prospective towns different times of the day and week. I've always listened to the forums because they have been very helpful but there is good and bad in every town and there will also ALWAYS be individuals who will have something negative to say no matter what. I have attended church in Nazareth for many, many years and have never felt unsafe or unsure of the area. Best of luck to you and your family.

[toobusytoday]

I very much agree with pennsynative. Visit often and go with your gut.

Hellertown is going to give you a very different vibe. It's closer to everything, schools are about the same as Nazareth and you will probably have more of a mix of the new people. By that I mean, people are moving to Saucon Valley School District (Hellertown) and my school district, Southern Lehigh, to work at the colleges and Olympus, Lutron and some local companies and they are coming from different parts of the country. People are generally moving to Nazareth to escape NY and NJ. And that's just my subjective opinion. I like Hellertown's downtown, it seems to be getting better every year.

[kellyi]

I know, I am TOTALLY overanalyzing this move and I am making myself crazy in doing so...but I want to be overly sure that we are making the right decision in which town we choose. Being that we know next to nothing about any of them because everything is heresay, I am having a hard time finding some true answers that I actually feel comfortable with and I guess that is only because I am the only one who truely knows what I am looking for. This whole drug and alchohol thing caught my attention in an obviously negative way, so now I am confused. For a town to be thought of as full of addicts, this isn't exactly our cup of tea lol. I know this is going on most likely somewhere in every town, but for someone to answer that this is the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the town's name makes me a little hesitant that Nazareth is the right town. I wish someone was familiar with Middletown, NJ bc I'd love to find a town comparable to this. We can't afford to stay there as much as we love our hometown : ( Thanks everyone, and so sorry for sounding like a crazy lunatic - I really am not!! Lol But I feel like one lately!! ; )

[Summering]

I like both towns. I think Hellertown would be my first choice ........but Nazareth is also a charming place.
Both have good school. I am always hearing how good Nazareth schools are.
Hellertown sits so nicely........its a walking town. All around that area you would have places to enjoy.
Then again........both towns are nicely located.
I think you are right on track.......and your doing a fine job narrowing towns down.