From Europe to the Lehigh Valley

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by PacoMartin

Both the Allentown City and the Allentown School District boundaries are not contiguous along a section just to the East of Cedar Crest Boulevard. There are tracts of land completely surrounded by the city, that are actually not part of the city or the school district.

But I don't believe that there is actually homes that are in the city limits that are not part of the school district.



Not just resale value, but possibly a large percentage of your monthly expenditures. In addition to taxes being higher, you must duplicate the cost of providing tuition at a private school.

I am sure that Hanover Township (Northampton County) population 10,866 would love to detach itself from Bethlehem Area School District and take it's two elementary schools, and attach itself to Nazareth Area School District.

Just as many people in Forks Twp. would like to be out of the Easton school district. The primary reason we left Forks three years ago was our daughter was about to enter High School.

[profesorachevere]

Having lived in Dublin and London as well as other cities outside the US and now living in Allentown, I can tell you that Emmaus seems to me to be the closest you'll get to a European-like living arrangement here. It has a really nice farmers' market in the warmer months, a movie theater, restaurants, cafes and shops all in a central zone that is walkable and picturesque. It's also the best place to be based if you like cycling.

[jonthedream]

Profesorachevere, you live in Allentown? What do you think about the West End Theater District? It is being pegged as a walkable area as well, with its own farmer's market and shops/restaurants, etc. From google street view is looks a little crummy and I don't see many shops/restaurants. I too, am looking for a place where I can walk from my home to shops/restaurants/parks, etc.

Originally Posted by profesorachevere

Having lived in Dublin and London as well as other cities outside the US and now living in Allentown, I can tell you that Emmaus seems to me to be the closest you'll get to a European-like living arrangement here. It has a really nice farmers' market in the warmer months, a movie theater, restaurants, cafes and shops all in a central zone that is walkable and picturesque. It's also the best place to be based if you like cycling.

[PacoMartin]

The Theater District is a walkable area, but it is still in the Allentown School District. The Theater District statistics are comparable to the Southern half of Emmaus (includes Main Street), but all of Emmaus is in the East Penn school district.

I think the Theater District is a good alternative to people who do not have as much money, but still want to live in a safe place where they can walk to things and have some life outside of the automobile.

It is possible to walk from Theater District to decent employment in Muhlenberg College, the Hospital on 17th street, etc. You are less likely to walk to work from Emmaus.

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City: Allentown: Theater District (Tract 22.0001
School District: Allentown City School District
Population 4,379 (2010)
House Units 2,075
Race Whites:81.8%, Hispanics:16.4%, Blacks:6.7%, Asians:1.3%, Others:10.2%
Median Household Income: $54,894
Median House Price: $156,100
Land Area: 0.49 sq mi
17th through 22nd street
(Allentown Fairgrounds) to roughly route 22

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City: Emmaus
School District: East Penn School District

Southern Half Emmaus - Main Street
Population 5,626 (2010)
House Units 2,669
Race Whites:92%, Hispanics:5.8%, Blacks:2%, Asians:1.5%, Others:4.5%
Median Household Income: $52,121
Median House Price: $165,100
Land Area: 1.49 sq mi

Northern Half Emmaus - Harrison Street
Population 5,296 (2010)
House Units 2,323
Race Whites:95.2%, Hispanics:3.7%, Blacks:0.9%, Asians:1.3%, Others:2.6%
Median Household Income: $70,664
Median House Price: $211,000
Land Area: 1.31 sq mi