Need to be near Philly for daughters care, and very interested in Bethlehem (Philadelphia: sales, houses)

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by PacoMartin

Some of the boroughs in Bucks County get closer to your Rockwell image, but they are much more expensive than the Lehigh Valley. You haven't given us a price range so I am assuming $200K-$250K or $1000-$1200 in rent to be conservative. If I am way off you should say something.

This is pretty much spot on, although we're paying $1,500 in rent currently. I also realize that we are not going to get the bang for our buck on housing that we do here, and that we're likely going to be in older, smaller accommodations. People don't move to Texas for the scenery, that much I can tell you.

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by Time for Texas!

This is pretty much spot on, although we're paying $1,500 in rent currently. I also realize that we are not going to get the bang for our buck on housing that we do here, and that we're likely going to be in older, smaller accommodations..

Home for Rent for $1,400 with 4 Bedrooms and 2 full baths, 1 half bath. This is a 2,056 square foot Single Family built in 1915 with a lot size of 0.220 Acres. 3 car garage.
Hellertown, PA 18055

Near (C) on the rail trail map.
http://www.lowersaucontownship.org/pdf/rtmap.pdf

Excellent schools within half mile (kindergarten through high school) Rail Trail within walking distance . Rite Aid pharmacy within walking distance. Dollar General within half a mile.

Nothing about type of heat. That could be expensive.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by PacoMartin

Home for Rent for $1,400 with 4 Bedrooms and 2 full baths, 1 half bath. This is a 2,056 square foot Single Family built in 1915 with a lot size of 0.220 Acres. 3 car garage.
Hellertown, PA 18055

Near (C) on the rail trail map.
http://www.lowersaucontownship.org/pdf/rtmap.pdf

Excellent schools within half mile (kindergarten through high school) Rail Trail within walking distance . Rite Aid pharmacy within walking distance. Dollar General within half a mile.

Nothing about type of heat. That could be expensive.

I bet there's no central AC in most of those really old homes, either. Are houses of that age required to have lead paint, asbestos, etc. inspections before being rented/sold?

I did change my screen name, btw. I'm still the OP

[blazerj]

In general, the suburban schools are good and the city one (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton) are not as good based on rating websites.

I think your budget of $1500/ month will be your limiting factor for getting a nice rental. I used to live in a nice townhouse complex in center valley (there are actually a few and all are pretty nice), and I think $1500 would be on the low side. If you could go up to 17/1800, the.n I think you would open up a lot more in those complexes.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by blazerj

In general, the suburban schools are good and the city one (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton) are not as good based on rating websites.

I think your budget of $1500/ month will be your limiting factor for getting a nice rental. I used to live in a nice townhouse complex in center valley (there are actually a few and all are pretty nice), and I think $1500 would be on the low side. If you could go up to 17/1800, the.n I think you would open up a lot more in thos.

Depends what the pay scale is for my field up there. We could bump up to $1,700 if we had to living here right now, but Texas pays pretty well and has no state income tax.

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by Tyryztoll

Depends what the pay scale is for my field up there. We could bump up to $1,700 if we had to living here right now, but Texas pays pretty well and has no state income tax.

Fair enough. If you look on rental sites, there are 3 or 4 townhouse complexes in Center Valley. All are nice and are rented by individual owners. I'd start there.

Also, keep in mind that in PA, you have to pay 1.1% (not sure on the exact amount but it's about 1.1%) of your gross pay to the local school district. It's a local tax and is almost in every town and is often excluded from wage calculators and state taxes. If you really are mobile and want to minimize your taxes while being close to Philly, try Delaware (although i think the LV is nicer)

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by Tyryztoll

I bet there's no central AC in most of those really old homes, either. Are houses of that age required to have lead paint, asbestos, etc. inspections before being rented/sold?

I did change my screen name, btw. I'm still the OP

Looks like there is no central AC in that house, but it does have window units and ceiling fans, remodeled kitchen. That's an excellent price for a single home in our area, btw. The only negative about Saucon Valley School District, where this house is located, is that the teachers have been known to strike (legal in PA) and they are working without a contract right now.

[Tyryztoll]

Shifting topic a bit.......what, if any, are the effects of being so close to NYC? I've read a lot about people fleeing there to settle in the LV. Has this been good for the LV.....bad.....both? I can tell you right now that having 4 major airports (Philly, Newark, LaGuardia, Kennedy) within a couple hours drive would be pretty cool!

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by Tyryztoll

I can tell you right now that having 4 major airports (Philly, Newark, LaGuardia, Kennedy) within a couple hours drive would be pretty cool!

Eventually, you end up driving to all the airports, but I have only been to LaGuardia one time. Flights are very restricted in range, and it has been called Third World Airport as it is only 550 acres. Because Newark is the easiest large airport to get to, and it is a United hub, United has three buses a day from the local ABE airport which count as "flights". Bus service is available to Newark and on to JFK, but it is a long trip to JFK because the bus goes through Manhattan.

There are about 60 buses per day going to NYC (mostly Port Authority, but weekdays many to Wall Street) so it is popular for one day tourist trips. For Ellis island tours it is easier to drive. Philadelphia is very long trip by bus or SEPTA commuter rail, and most people find it easier to drive (especially to art museum).

[Tyryztoll]

Been squirming about the COL up there compared to here, but when I stop to think about it, it's actually very good considering the proximity to both Philly and NYC......especially with the natural beauty of the area thrown in.