Moving to eastern PA - need advice (Philadelphia, Allentown: sales, crime)

[Sisterelectric]

I am relocating from Boston for a sales job in eastern PA in about 3 weeks. My territory is roughly Harrisburg, Lancaster, Allentown, Scranton, Willamstown and everything in between. I would like to be convenient to all of my territory. I am a single 40ish female. I love city living but would also be open to something new. Being near a major airport is important. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

[rainrock]

The NW suburbs of Philadelphia would be my recommendation. Thats about as centrally located as you can get given your varied employment bases and necessity to be near a major airport. You'll have easy access to every major highway and be within an hour or 2 of every city you mentioned.Not to mention you'll be a 20-30 minute ride into Center City Philly which is one of the top urban areas in the nation.

Doylestown,Main Line and West Chester are fabulous areas, more typical american suburban living can be found in King of Prussia/Plymouth Meeting/Oaks area.

Good luck.

[Sisterelectric]

Thanks for your reply but I guess I should have made myself more clear. I must live in my territory and unfortunately the Philly area is not part of it.

[toobusytoday]

The Lehigh Valley would meet all of your criteria. In your territory, close to major airports and you can choose city, small towns or rural. As a single female, Bethlehem would be a good choice. It's a small city with a very walkable downtown, lots of things to do but easy to get to ABE (Lehigh Valley airport is 10 minutes away) EWR is just over an hour and PHL is about one hour.

[PeeAye Native]

Can you clarify that you mean Williamsport where you said Williamstown? There is a Williamstown, but its a small village in a valley of mostly farms NE of Harrisburg.

I agree with the Lehigh Valley suggestion. I'd suggest check out downtown Harrisburg if you want the city living component. It's downtown has a lively and happening bar and restaurant scene, there's a scenic riverfront, the MDT airport (Harrisburg/Middletown), very similar to the ABE (Lehigh Valley) Airport in terms of size and flights (mostly connections to bigger feeder airports).

Housing is pretty reasonable, although I taking in general terms for the harrisburg area, I don't know what immediate downtown rental/buy prices are, I'll guess above the regional average because of the desirability.

[W-B proud]

Lehigh Valley Allentown/Bethelhem/Easton areas seems like it would be your best bet. It would be the most convinient area to get to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Harrisburg, Lancaster areas. The only one that would be a little out of the way would be Williamsport. Or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area where I live. It's about 45 minutes to the Lehigh valley(Allentown/Bethelhem/Easton), one hour and a half to two hours to Harrisburg, an hour and a half to Williamsport and we have an International Airport close by also. If you don't need an airport very close by, and you don't mind a smaller but nice college town, I'd recommend Bloomsburg area, that is probably somewhere near the middle of the area you'll be covering.

[W-B proud]

Actually, I just did a little research on Google Earth, and it seems that Pottsville, or Schuylkill Haven would be very close to the middle of your coverage area. The only problem with this is Pottsville and Schuykill Haven are kind of depressing, old coal towns, alot of elderly people, it has the feeling that nothing new has happened there in decades. Very industrial, blue collar area. These towns feel like time has left them behind. It would definatly be a change of pace for you. You may enjoy that sort of lifestyle though. Plus, there is alot of local history in these towns.

[Icy Tea]

The western Allentown suburbs sound like your best bet. You're close to major highways( but watch out for traffic) which would get you to Lancaster and Harrisburg, as well as being closer to Scranton. That's the nicest area of Lehigh County, at least as far as lack of congestion and crime issues, and the city is still close by. Williamsport would be a long drive, though. I 80 would be the only reasonably quick way, I think.

[Sisterelectric]

I will explore both the Harrisburg and Allentown areas.