Moving from AZ and would like some housing Suggestions (Allentown: real estate, apartments) - Lehigh Valley - Pennsylvania (PA) -Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton - City-Data Forum

SarahBsmiles84 · 09-04-2013, 05:28 PM

Hello everyone.
I'll be moving back to PA sometime in March. I was born and raised there until I was 20 which I then moved to AZ by myself. All of my family is still in PA so that's why I am moving back. I'm a single mom and need the emotional support of my family. I just wanted to see if I could get some feedback for apartments/condos/homes for rent, where to look, what places have the best costs for the space but are clean/new or updated and in a safe area. I'd really love to live in Emmaus but I'm open to anywhere in the Valley. I'm looking for a two bedroom anywhere from $600-$900 a month. Any feedback would be appreciated =)

toobusytoday · 09-04-2013, 05:42 PM

Welcome to the forum! Honestly, your price range is very low for a two bedroom place but if you can get your family to look around, maybe they can turn up something. In Coopersburg it's very common for people to just put a sign in the front yard saying that a house or apt. is for rent and listing a phone number. As long as you avoid the city's most towns ringing them are safe with good schools.

SarahBsmiles84 · 09-04-2013, 06:10 PM

I'm quickly learning that, I just can't believe how expensive housing is there. I pay $600 a month for a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom apt now and that's the average here in AZ. I could rent a nice new home for $650-800 a month here. I'm just shocked! It looks like I'm going to have to look more into paying $1000 a month or so. How do people there survive? I have a great resume and an AAS degree but even with knowing I'll get a decent job I'm still so nervous! Thanks for the information!

PacoMartin · 09-04-2013, 06:30 PM

The American Southwest built thousands of rental units because real estate has been the subject of mass speculation since the 1880's. The Lehigh Valley is traditionally a place where people owned homes. Many older homes are available in the cities today, but many people with children don't want to live there because of the schools.

Census data in 2010 for the City of Allentown shows a large percentage of units occupied by renters
90,846 Owner occupied
43,137 Renter occupied
8,630 Vacant housing unit

Emmaus is possibly the most desirable borough for renters
3,109 Owner occupied
1,822 Renter occupied
261 Vacant housing units

Lower Macungie is a good example of a township with a good school district with a small % of renters
10,133 Owner occupied
1,361 Renter occupied
416 Vacant housing units

But as the nation moved toward rental units after economic crash of 2009, new developments were built in the Lehigh Valley for high rents. The old ones have skyrocketed so that rents are often higher than mortgages on an equivalent place.

loose cannon · 09-05-2013, 08:21 AM

Many times I look in the mirror and beat myself up for not making it work in AZ. This is a death trap. A sucicide rap. You got get out while your young. Reconsider coming back here from AZ. Granted I have learned AZ is not pure paradise, and I know now that I prefer a small Southern artsy town, but if you are there in the desert you may as well stay. Jobs do not pay here and most people are jabronies. If you do come the bar stool is saved for you at the YWI, The Madison Inn in Allentown, Lumpy Louies, or Volpes. I had to move to Allentown. I still roll in Bethlehem but more acclimated into the Allentown scene by default and neccessity.

toobusytoday · 09-05-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahBsmiles84

I'm quickly learning that, I just can't believe how expensive housing is there. I pay $600 a month for a 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom apt now and that's the average here in AZ. I could rent a nice new home for $650-800 a month here. I'm just shocked! It looks like I'm going to have to look more into paying $1000 a month or so. How do people there survive? I have a great resume and an AAS degree but even with knowing I'll get a decent job I'm still so nervous! Thanks for the information!

Well, we have a lot of people moving into our area from much higher priced areas and they think the price of housing is low, so it's all relative! If possible, could you live with your family while you look around for a place? As Paco mentioned there is not a lot of rental stock in the areas with good schools and many may not be listed on-line.

blazerj · 09-05-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahBsmiles84

Hello everyone.
I'll be moving back to PA sometime in March. I was born and raised there until I was 20 which I then moved to AZ by myself. All of my family is still in PA so that's why I am moving back. I'm a single mom and need the emotional support of my family. I just wanted to see if I could get some feedback for apartments/condos/homes for rent, where to look, what places have the best costs for the space but are clean/new or updated and in a safe area. I'd really love to live in Emmaus but I'm open to anywhere in the Valley. I'm looking for a two bedroom anywhere from $600-$900 a month. Any feedback would be appreciated =)

Since you didn't mention your kid(s) age, I would look into places like Wilson, Palmer, Bethlehem Township. Those areas have good elementary and maybe middle schools. You should be able to narrow your search by price range for a 2 bedroom + good school.

SarahBsmiles84 · 09-05-2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loose cannon

Many times I look in the mirror and beat myself up for not making it work in AZ. This is a death trap. A sucicide rap. You got get out while your young. Reconsider coming back here from AZ. Granted I have learned AZ is not pure paradise, and I know now that I prefer a small Southern artsy town, but if you are there in the desert you may as well stay. Jobs do not pay here and most people are jabronies. If you do come the bar stool is saved for you at the YWI, The Madison Inn in Allentown, Lumpy Louies, or Volpes. I had to move to Allentown. I still roll in Bethlehem but more acclimated into the Allentown scene by default and neccessity.

Thanks for the advice, I failed to mention I'm 30 years old and have lived her for 10 years. Trust me, having a child with not a shred of help from anyone and not having anyone out here but my son and I is extremely hard. Moving back to PA and having to have a FT job and maybe an extra little PT job sounds like paradise to me because I'll have my family. I literally don't have a single person here to help me for even an hour with my son so it's lonely, tiring and I'm ready to come home. I came out here with a suit case and a $100 and I have accomplished so much, it'll work in PA if I make it work, I have no doubt about that. And like I said, I'll have my family and both my son and I need that. Maybe your circumstances were different.

SarahBsmiles84 · 09-05-2013, 05:12 PM

I've lived here for ten years, there's nothing for me here. I'm glad I moved here but it served it's purpose. And I'm excellent with money, my mom has great connections, I have an amazing resume, a college degree, and tradework knowledge. I'm not worried about my success =)

SarahBsmiles84 · 09-05-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

Well, we have a lot of people moving into our area from much higher priced areas and they think the price of housing is low, so it's all relative! If possible, could you live with your family while you look around for a place? As Paco mentioned there is not a lot of rental stock in the areas with good schools and many may not be listed on-line.

I'll be staying with my parents 2-3 months =) So it'll give me time to get on my feet. And AZ apparently just has low cost living! Thanks for the post!