Possible move to Allentown with 3 school aged children! (Whitehall, Emmaus: homes, school district)

[tnkd3]

My family may be relocating to Allentown from RI in the next 9 months.

We have 3 elementary school aged children, so schools are very important to us.

Looking for a 4 bedroom home in the price range of $300-$350,000.

Can anyone recommend an area or neighboohood?

Any help would be greatly apprciated!

[2kidsimdone]

There are many great areas to live near Allentown. The 2 districts which are more sought after are East Penn and Parkland. With your price range, you can find many homes to look at.

The first thing I suggest is getting in touch with a realtor.

I moved almost 2 years ago from out of town, so if you have specific questions, don't hesitate to ask or PM me.

[DCC77]

Definitely stay out of the "City of Allentown" because the school district is just not up to par. The middle/high schools are where I am seeing the issues. We bought a home near the West End and it was nice in 2003 when we moved here, but things have taken a turn for the worse. We are leaving for either East Penn School District or Parkland, which are excellent from what I have seen.

I hear good things about Macungie, Emmaus, Alburtis, North Whitehall Twp., South Whitehall Twp., Orefield, and Schnecksville.

Hope this helps!

[Lehigh Valley Native]

Originally Posted by DCC77

Definitely stay out of the "City of Allentown" because the school district is just not up to par.!

To clarify this, many of the outlying areas of Allentown, have an Allentown mailing address, but are not the city proper.

The beautiful West End of Allentown is very desirable to live in, especially parts around Muhlenberg College, however parts of it are in Allentown S.D., which to be blunt, sucks. If you can afford private school, I wouldn't hesitate living in the West End.
Also, parts of the West End of Allentown are in the Parkland S.D., which most would agree is very good.

[DCC77]

Oh, yes- the West End is beautiful and if you can get into a private or parochial school, that is ideal. Or, of course if you find a home in Parkland S.D.- then you are all set!

The only thing I've noticed is that the taxes are pretty high once you reach the West End of Allentown. I don't know what you are accustomed to, but $4-6k a year for School, City, and County taxes combined is what I've seen.

[Lehigh Valley Native]

Originally Posted by DCC77

Oh, yes- the West End is beautiful and if you can get into a private or parochial school, that is ideal. Or, of course if you find a home in Parkland S.D.- then you are all set!

The only thing I've noticed is that the taxes are pretty high once you reach the West End of Allentown. I don't know what you are accustomed to, but $4-6k a year for School, City, and County taxes combined is what I've seen.

Yes, you are right, the taxes are high. I do believe though, they are less than our friends in East Penn.

They have to pay for High School Mecca (Parkland HS) somehow.