Safety in PA (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton: low income, to rent, violent crime)

[Jackal1]

Is it safe to move to PA ? I have heard mixed things. Oh specifically the Lehigh Valley.

Thanks

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by Jackal1

Is it safe to move to PA ? I have heard mixed things. Oh specifically the Lehigh Valley.

Thanks

Try: //www.city-data.com/forum/lehigh-valley/. It's not that many of us do not know about the area; it is just that you will have a better response on that forum.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Jackal1

Is it safe to move to PA ? I have heard mixed things. Oh specifically the Lehigh Valley.

Thanks

What kind of a question is that? Maybe look at PA on a map and you will see that it is a rather large state.

[jtab4994]

Originally Posted by Jackal1

Is it safe to move to PA ? I have heard mixed things. Oh specifically the Lehigh Valley.

Thanks

Just like everything: if you're rich it's safe; if you're poor it's dangerous. You'll have to be more specific in what you consider safe, and where in the Lehigh Valley you're talking about.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

Just like everything: if you're rich it's safe; if you're poor it's dangerous. You'll have to be more specific in what you consider safe, and where in the Lehigh Valley you're talking about.

With questions about 'safety' many overlook the human factor. No matter where people move; they can have one bad neighbor that makes their lives hell. It is always best to rent and become familiar with the area before you buy. Of course there are bad neighborhoods and money can help move into better neighborhoods - but nothing is guaranteed.

People have to do their homework and the best way to do that is not from a distance; but up close and personal. If you rent close first; you can see all forms of potential problems: Like flooding, roads/transportation, weather, and possibly human problems or crime. Buy a house is a major investment and like good investors; great research is best.

[toobusytoday]

Welcome to the Lehigh Valley! There are three links in this sticky post regarding crime in the Lehigh Valley: //www.city-data.com/forum/lehig...residents.html

There are areas in the Lehigh Valley that you would probably want to avoid at night, but it's not like a war-zone full of gangs.

[operagust]

Use this site and draw a map arround your area to check the crime stats. https://www.phillypolice.com/crime-maps-stats/

[kbott925]

There are crazy people everywhere. However, I can tell you that parts of Allentown are bad. Actually, I would avoid living in downtown Allentown. However, it's very cheap. There seems to be one or two murders/attempted there every week. I know someone whose house was just broken into, with all the doors open, but nothing was stolen. Allentown is a little crusty.

Bethlehem, Easton areas have that stuff too, but to a lesser extent. The areas outside of the hubs I would say are perfectly safe, just more expensive. However, I don't feel the schools in this area are that great.

This area is more reasonably priced than say, Philly suburbs though.

I would consider the Pocono area to be pretty safe as well, but less jobs and more driving to get anywhere.

I don't know much about central/western PA.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

Just like everything: if you're rich it's safe; if you're poor it's dangerous.

That's not necessarily true, the semi rural area my parents live in is going to have everything from millionaires to low income people. Very little crime, especially violent crime.