NYC to the Lehigh Valley - Questions (Philadelphia, Bethlehem: crime, houses)

[rono626]

My wife and I are fed up with NYC!
(Can't afford a house, crowded, pollution, etc.)

We recently took a trip to the Lehigh Valley and so far, we liked what we saw. We have started looking in Easton (College Hill mostly) and parts of Bethlehem.

We understand that the Lehigh Valley has lots of transplanted NY/NJ people, due to cheaper housing and realitive ease to get back to see family/friends.

We'd like some opinions of people who have been there for a while:
Easton vs. Bethlehem pros and cons?
Are there any other areas we should consider?
Where's the better schools?
Crime?
Golf Courses (we played at Riverview and LOVED it!!!)
Entertainment/Dining/Live Music.
Historic Bethlehem - Worth the money?

Any advice is greatly apppreciated.

[jjj]

Originally Posted by rono626

My wife and I are fed up with NYC!
(Can't afford a house, crowded, pollution, etc.)

We recently took a trip to the Lehigh Valley and so far, we liked what we saw. We have started looking in Easton (College Hill mostly) and parts of Bethlehem.

We understand that the Lehigh Valley has lots of transplanted NY/NJ people, due to cheaper housing and realitive ease to get back to see family/friends.

We'd like some opinions of people who have been there for a while:
Easton vs. Bethlehem pros and cons?
Are there any other areas we should consider?
Where's the better schools?
Crime?
Golf Courses (we played at Riverview and LOVED it!!!)
Entertainment/Dining/Live Music.
Historic Bethlehem - Worth the money?

Any advice is greatly apppreciated.

Except for some areas in Easton and downtown Bethlehem that are questionable, the area in general is pretty nice. If you have played River View, anything in that area and north is a really nice area. I can not help you with the schools but there are some great dining and other great golf courses in the area. Plenty of shopping with a slot casino coming shortly in Bethlehem. In August, downtown Bethlehem has a week long Music Fest that is great. If you stay away from the Downtown areas of both cities crime is not an issue and basically even in the downtown areas crime is not more of a problem then any other urban area. If you are expecting to commute for work to NYC be aware that its not easy. We live south of the area you are looking in and we love it. Rural area with Easton and Bethlehem area an easy drive for entertainment. Same with north of theses 2 cities.

[Bklyngal]

It's nice. Like the PP stated, stay away from the downtown areas and you should be fine. I don't know a whole lot about Bethlehem, but from the little I saw of it certain areas are very nice.

My parents live in Palmer Township, which is in Easton. If you want to move anywhere around Easton, that area is really nice.

[Summering]

Forks has new and upcoming homes...........just above college hill.
Yes, many travel into NY and NJ for work.........
Travel a bit further up Sullivan Trail, Richmond St.
Very, nice homes and schools.
I understand from the people there that they love the Nazareth schools best.
I never dug into the why's of it.........you'd have to do your homework there.
Yes, great golfing as you head north....
Hideaway Hills, Southmore, Mountain Manor, Country Club of the Poconos...You won't lack for a place to golf.
Great shopping to be had in Whitehall, and people in Forks shop in Phillipsburg, NJ for Home Depot, Lowes, and other name brand stores......Bed and Bath, Barnes and Noble..........
Outback Steak house there too!!!! Nothing not to love about the area.....
PS daughter lives in Forks......if you need any questions answered feel free to ask and I'll get the answers from her way.

[rono626]

Thanks for the replies.

It does give me more to go on. I am interested in WHY Nazareth schools are considered the best. Is it just test scores, or is it something more such as student/teacher ratio, extracurricular activities, etc.

Also, I'm curious about how the Bethlehem schools rate. We found a nice house in West Bethlehem (Near the airport) and were wondering about the schools (Clearview Elem, Nitschman Middle, Liberty HS)

Anybody have some info on that? Thanks in advance.

[loose cannon]

Most of Bethlehem is nice with the exception of the deep Southeast towards Hellertown, The Southwest towards Fountain Hill, and Pembroke Rd off of Stefko.

[rono626]

I was also curious about the airport. The house I'm looking at is a few blocks east of Airport Rd. and 4-5 blocks south of Rt. 22. Does anyone know if there is a lot of noise from the airplanes there, or does the airport try not to have planes fly over residential neighborhoods?

[toobusytoday]

The airport is pretty much surrounded by houses so I'm not sure how they could take off without passing over something. I wonder if that's something that a realtor would be obligated to report if you asked them directly?

You should really look at Schools, High School, Public Schools, School District, Public High Schools - SchoolMatters for comparisons. I think we all have a tendency to think our schools are the best and numbers are not everything. I'm not a big proponent of no child left untested but when we've moved, good schools are our number one priority and that website at least allows you to compare the schools with each other and the state average.

The principal at Nitschman was recently arrested for selling crack. Quite exciting story, it even made the Philadelphia papers. Neither Bethlehem or Easton have good reputations for academics.

Just to be clear, the area towards Hellertown may not be good, but Hellertown itself and the Saucon Valley School District is well regarded.

[Summering]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

The airport is pretty much surrounded by houses so I'm not sure how they could take off without passing over something. I wonder if that's something that a realtor would be obligated to report if you asked them directly?

You should really look at Schools, High School, Public Schools, School District, Public High Schools - SchoolMatters for comparisons. I think we all have a tendency to think our schools are the best and numbers are not everything. I'm not a big proponent of no child left untested but when we've moved, good schools are our number one priority and that website at least allows you to compare the schools with each other and the state average.

The principal at Nitschman was recently arrested for selling crack. Quite exciting story, it even made the Philadelphia papers. Neither Bethlehem or Easton have good reputations for academics.

Just to be clear, the area towards Hellertown may not be good, but Hellertown itself and the Saucon Valley School District is well regarded.

Wow that SchoolMatters site is fantastic.........I think that is just what the other poster is needing right now.......To compare place all side to side. Forks schools will come under the Easton heading for town.........
This should give all the statistics that help to make a clear decision.......
Great!!!!

[Summering]

Originally Posted by rono626

I was also curious about the airport. The house I'm looking at is a few blocks east of Airport Rd. and 4-5 blocks south of Rt. 22. Does anyone know if there is a lot of noise from the airplanes there, or does the airport try not to have planes fly over residential neighborhoods?

There are some hours of the day and night when you are going to hear the planes. I think you can get a bit use to it....( we did once with a train not far from us).........I know a school teacher at one of the schools near the runway. They use to hear a plane very loudly when on an unclear day...of fog etc. the planes would use a runway that would be nearer the school.
One time a plane went the wrong way out.......towards Forks........and it was so low that all the people came out of their homes to see what was happening. I'd spend the day around the neighborhood just to see what you thought personally..........It might take some getting use too.
PS........that airport is wonderful for traveling. We use it all the time. Easy parking, great long term parking and such a wonderful experience after EWR and JFK.........