Starting a new job at Lehigh Univ (Allentown, Bethlehem: school, prices)

[toobusytoday]

I think this townhouse apartment complex may be what you are looking for: River Walk: Affordable Apartment Rentals in Lehigh County We happened upon it when we were looking to buy a second hand car for one of our kids through Craigslist. I remember thinking at the time that it would be a nice place to live.

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I think this townhouse apartment complex may be what you are looking for: River Walk: Affordable Apartment Rentals in Lehigh County We happened upon it when we were looking to buy a second hand car for one of our kids through Craigslist. I remember thinking at the time that it would be a nice place to live.

It does say "pet friendly", but at over $1400 I think that the OP would consider it for a shared home. The third bedroom is nice to have in a shared home as it can double as a guest bedroom and/or study/media room.

I did my graduate work at Lehigh University, and even the rentals on old homes on the safe streets are surprisingly high.

[Erica63]

ok, I have been doing a lot of research and I'm seeing a lot of mixed reviews re: Allentown. I love the website and photos of the lofts at Versailles at Eighth, but I am concerned that a lot of people are saying the neighborhood is not that great, especially as a single female. Any advice on this area?

[Gettingouttahere]

Allentown can be rough, depending on the area. I worked there at night in center city for years, however, and while there was plenty of crime (including violent crime), I survived unscathed.

There are lovely, safer areas of Allentown, but most of them are not downtown; they're in the West End.

Bethlehem, OTOH, has safe downtown areas both north and south of the river.

If you're looking for safe & urban you are better off in Bethlehem, IMHO.

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by Erica63

ok, I have been doing a lot of research and I'm seeing a lot of mixed reviews re: Allentown. I love the website and photos of the lofts at Versailles at Eighth, but I am concerned that a lot of people are saying the neighborhood is not that great, especially as a single female. Any advice on this area?

Not that helpful, but that's the area where the hockey ring/ arena is being built. It's main purpose was to revitalize Allentown by bringing in young new residents, so you are the target. In theory, it would be safe since it's next to the new arena, but it's still being built, so nobody knows how it will be.

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by Erica63

ok, I have been doing a lot of research and I'm seeing a lot of mixed reviews re: Allentown. I love the website and photos of the lofts at Versailles at Eighth, but I am concerned that a lot of people are saying the neighborhood is not that great, especially as a single female. Any advice on this area?

They are making a huge effort to gentrify the neighborhood, but there are frequent stories of being able to buy heroin right on eighth street. So "not that great" means "highest per capita murder rate" in the Valley.

You are sharing a city block with the Salvation Army. I am sure that most people who buy there will drive out of a secure parking garage in high end cars.

It may gentrify, and many people remember going their regularly 30 years ago. But single female may not be the best people to be on the leading edge.

[workingstiff]

One possible option is Bethlehem Fields. The apartments are fairly new and according to their site they are pet friendly. A downside is that traffic around there is a continuing nightmare since it's right next to the 78 exits and they've been doing construction there for what feels like forever.

A slightly pricier option is Saucon View. The apartments are really nice and it's a very short commute to Lehigh (10 minutes). During the summer it's a very short walk to the farmer's market in the park right next to it, plus the saucon rail trail is right there. If you want to hang out in downtown Bethlehem it's easy enough to drive over or just park at Lehigh and walk over the bridge.

[loose cannon]

Originally Posted by blazerj

Not that helpful, but that's the area where the hockey ring/ arena is being built. It's main purpose was to revitalize Allentown by bringing in young new residents, so you are the target. In theory, it would be safe since it's next to the new arena, but it's still being built, so nobody knows how it will be.

correction: It's aim is class warfare!

[PA.Dutchman]

In the last two weeks there have been at least two reported assaults, one at 7 TH and Linden. This is immediately across the street from the Ice Hockey Arena. The first assault was for a cellphone, the thugs beat the victim so badly his retina detached and his jaw was broken.

Another victim was assaulted and robbed of his cellphone and wallet at 8 TH and Hamilton in the same block as the Ice Hockey Arena.

The media has not published all the assaults and robberies for sometime now because the city wants people to relocate to Allentown.

There are many many more assaults, hit and runs, robberies then you see in the media and those in the media are usually pretty bad.

Last summer an old friends sister of 83 years old was robbed and beaten in her own home on the WEST END OF ALLENTOWN. She had brain swelling and nearly died.

The Allentown Police now have a unit set up JUST TO DEAL WITH ALL THE HIT AND RUNS BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY AND CONTINUE TO BE MANY.

[loose cannon]

Perhaps you have a point about the Media not reporting some things, but the City on a whole is turning the corner.