Relocate Me PLEASE! (Allentown, Northampton, Catasauqua: apartments, rent, mobile home)

[LostNConfused1s]

Please help me. I moved from Ohio to Allentown, PA. I did so to assist with caring for my mother, whose health is deteriorating. A lot has changed here since I was last in Allentown, and it seems to be known as "Little NY" - with its raised rent, crime, and cramped apartments. I am trying to remain here for the sake of family but I need to live in an area that's more affordable and safe for my family. Any suggestions on places close to Catasauqua to move to? In Ohio, I rented a 3-bdr mobile home for $699 a month. In Allentown, I pay $750 for a place that I have to turn sideways to get through.

[loose cannon]

Rising rent is s problem everywhere and will not change until a left wing politician takes charge and implements rent/price controls. This is not likely to happen. Therefore, I encourage you to move to catasaqua or Northampton. Long term you should focus on moving south or west. This area is tolerable, but nowhere as great as people say. Those who share this mindset do what we have to do, and enjoy life as much as we can with the hope of permanent escape within 3 years.

[s1alker]

Long term you should focus on moving south or west. This area is tolerable, but nowhere as great as people say. Those who share this mindset do what we have to do, and enjoy life as much as we can with the hope of permanent escape within 3 years.

Yeah same here. There is very little good paying work in this area. Most people I know are commuting 1:30 to 2+ hours everyday. It's a glorified bedroom community. The dating and social scene is almost non-existent, at least at the kind of quality that I desire.

[toobusytoday]

I disagree about good playing employment but agree that you will not be able to find something in a safe area unless you get in a much more rural area. I also agree that living in Catty is a good idea.

As far as employment, I know hardly anyone that works out of the Lehigh Valley and somehow they can afford to live in my school district, which has the highest COL in the area. We have half a dozen colleges, two large hospitals and several manufacturing plants that employ thousands of people here in the Lehigh Valley. https://www.payscale.com/research/US...lley-PA/Salary

And in nearby Phillipsburg, NJ https://www.payscale.com/research/US...burg-NJ/Salary

[MrKite]

Check out the DC metro area: Northern Virginia, Maryland. I used to live there and am looking to return. The cost of living there is higher, but that's not all there is to it. I live in Northampton, and with rent and the average salary here, compared to the salary I could make in northern Virginia, the DC area would be financially much better. I have lived in both places, so I know from experience.

Of course, if you are in the health care field, you can make out VERY well in the Lehigh Valley. Or if you commute very far. But if you don't have skills that are in great demand here, then you will have to settle for mediocre jobs that are dead-end and low-paying (about $10-12 per hour, maybe less). I experienced one of those jobs for a brief time. It was like a sweatshop. Places around here pay crap and give very little in return for your work, because they know they can always get people to take those bad jobs.

But if you want to stay in this area, Northampton is a good place to check out. Relatively safe, with reasonable rent.