Goodbye Florida..Hello Lehigh Valley (Pittsburgh, Allentown: apartment complexes, renting, condo)

[Shayshay3217]

I'm originally from Pittsburgh but moved to Jacksonville, Florida 2 years ago. I hate leaving the sunshine state but I recently received a great opportunity to work for ADP in Downtown Allentown.

My husband and son will be relocating in the next month. My question is what are some good areas and apartment complexes to consider? Our budget is 1350 per month.

My husband is also looking for employment in the area. What are the opportunities like for Chefs?

What are some cool places to visit in the area?

[toobusytoday]

Welcome to this forum and to the Lehigh Valley. I hope you like it here as much as we do. We would be happy if you could bring some of that Florida Sunshine with you! Please fill out this sticky so we can give you the best information possible, and look through some of the links too. //www.city-data.com/forum/lehig...residents.html

[Shayshay3217]

When are you moving? in the next 3-4 weeks
Where are you coming from? Jacksonville FL
Why are you moving? Great job opportunity
Where will you be working? Downtown Allentown
Have you been here yet? Just for a day but didn't get to see much.

Will you buy or rent? Rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? I don't have a preference but I would like a spacious place. An apartment with good amenities would be great.
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Walk up

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with a 6 month old son
Do you prefer public or private schools?
Do you have pets? 2 cats
Do you want or need a yard? No
Are you keeping a car? Not sure yet
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Either

What do you want to be closest to? Would like to be near basic services but no more than 30 minutes from work. If I could find a good daycare near my home or job that would be great.


Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? I'm 29 years old and my husband is 31. Would like to live near working professionals and/or families.

Phillies or Mets? Go Pirates!!!

[PBToast]

Welcome to Eastern PA!

I'm hoping to move in the opposite direction in a couple years.

Cool Places to Visit:

Dorney Park
Steel Stacks in Bethlehem gets a variety of music at both The Sands Casino and Musikfest Cafe
Lehigh Valley Zoo
Parks along the Lehigh River and the Delaware River.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton
Allentown Farmers Market on weekends
Saucon Valley Farmers Market in Hellertown

Allentown gets a lot of festivals: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/pa--allentown/festivals/

as do Bethlehem and Easton. There is a lot to do as you are also near the Poconos. Jim Thorpe is a nice weekend trip.

[jjs65]

Welcome to the Lehigh Valley! I'm from PGH myself and recently moved here so hoping some insight might help you out. No commutes in the area are bad. The only road I'd tend to stay away from is 22 but even so, it's all relative. There are quite a few large apartment complexes on the outskirts of Allentown and Bethlehem and if you're interested, you can also look at Easton but it might be pushing your 30 minute commute if you're working in downtown Allentown.

You mentioned you might not be bringing a vehicle - just be cautious since the transit system here is not too robust. At your prices, almost all options are on the table; so feel free to google and ask about areas more specifically so we can help!

P.S. Let's Go Buccos!

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by jjs65

Welcome to the Lehigh Valley! I'm from PGH myself and recently moved here so hoping some insight might help you out. No commutes in the area are bad. The only road I'd tend to stay away from is 22 but even so, it's all relative. There are quite a few large apartment complexes on the outskirts of Allentown and Bethlehem and if you're interested, you can also look at Easton but it might be pushing your 30 minute commute if you're working in downtown Allentown.

You mentioned you might not be bringing a vehicle - just be cautious since the transit system here is not too robust. At your prices, almost all options are on the table; so feel free to google and ask about areas more specifically so we can help!

P.S. Let's Go Buccos!

I’d disagree on the commutes. 22 is a disaster during commuting hours and 78 is awful on Fridays from 33 to 309. Check out google maps for a commute from Easton, Palmer, Nazareth to say Emmaus during commuting hours. It’s bad.

[jjs65]

Originally Posted by blazerj

I’d disagree on the commutes. 22 is a disaster during commuting hours and 78 is awful on Fridays from 33 to 309. Check out google maps for a commute from Easton, Palmer, Nazareth to say Emmaus during commuting hours. It’s bad.

There's definitely consistent traffic congestion on 22 but the benefit of working in the downtown Allentown is that people aren't driving 22 from one end to the other. But commute times are worth looking into before deciding on a neighborhood. I-78 isn't unreasonable though, especially the other 4 days of the week.

I agree with you for people to check google maps for projected commute times.

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by Shayshay3217

When are you moving? in the next 3-4 weeks
Where are you coming from? Jacksonville FL
Why are you moving? Great job opportunity
Where will you be working? Downtown Allentown
Have you been here yet? Just for a day but didn't get to see much.

Will you buy or rent? Rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? I don't have a preference but I would like a spacious place. An apartment with good amenities would be great.
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Walk up

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with a 6 month old son
Do you prefer public or private schools?
Do you have pets? 2 cats
Do you want or need a yard? No
Are you keeping a car? Not sure yet
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Either

What do you want to be closest to? Would like to be near basic services but no more than 30 minutes from work. If I could find a good daycare near my home or job that would be great.


Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? I'm 29 years old and my husband is 31. Would like to live near working professionals and/or families.

Phillies or Mets? Go Pirates!!!

I'd suggest looking at West Allentown. There is a nice group of townhouses next to Wegmans on Tilghman that I always thought looked nice. It adjoins Trexler park and is within walking distance of Wegmans, the nicest grocery store in the area. You will need to keep a car. Public transportation is available, but it's not great. I think it would be a great place to live for a few years while you look around and see where you might want to buy.

[Towns450]

there is traffic everywhere on rush hr no matter where you live even local streets

I have lived in a lot of places throughout USA and same thing so never let the word traffic scare you

Also ways around it if you give more time and leave off hrs

The new apts will always be a big more pricer if two bedrooms basically standard 1700 but worth it

1 Bedrooms $1350..I always prefer newer stuff