Living in the Hamburg, PA? (Allentown, Reading: real estate, apartment, rental) - Pennsylvania - City-Data Forum

sz89128 · 06-17-2010, 05:06 PM

I am thinking of relocating to Hamburg, PA for a great job opportunity. I currently live on the West Coast and just need to get out of here. I have a small family and we don't want our 8 year old daughter growing up in the crime and drug infested area we live in.

I am 33 and originally from the Scranton, PA area, but don't know much about the Hamburg area.

If we do move I am not sure if I would live in Hamburg or somewhere close. The job itself would be in Hamburg. I can't afford to buy a home so we would rent for a couple of years to save up. I am not sure what options we have for renting or where we might look to live that won't be a long commute for me.

My daughter would need a nice school and my wife would have to find a job too. I'd like to reside in an area that's a little more populated so we can make all this work.

Icy Tea · 06-18-2010, 08:49 AM

Hamburg is an odd little town which some might like, others might find boring. Its small and right against the blue mountains so if you're an outdoorsy type you'd find a lot to like. It has a unique folk parade every Halloween, the King Frost parade. Its a close knit community with a lot of pride. Hawk Mountain is close by as is the Schuylkill River. There's the Kutztown Folk Festival every July. The Leesport Famers market every week, Renningers antique and flea market. The area is still very rural and farmed, pa dutch traditions continue. Dorney park is not too far away, Ontelaunee lake and Blue marsh lake provide fishing and boating.
If your wife is in the medical field she'd do pretty well. People commute to Reading hospital and to St. Joes( its closer). Lots of people commute from Schuylkill County into Reading. Route 61 is kind of dangerous, I 78 is particularly in the winter. Areas like Fleetwood have some pretty big new housing developments. People commute from there into Allentown. Cabela's is right next to Hamburg and a new Wal Mart and Lowes and other retail areas are being built. I'm sure they'll have job opportunites although there will be no shortage of people applying for those jobs.

Katedreams · 06-18-2010, 03:14 PM

We moved to Hamburg 15 years ago The school is very great if you Choose to live in town your daughter Could walk home from the middle school and high school when she gets older it also great if your Limit with one car that you can catch the bus at redners or on the one corner to go up to cabelas or to Reading There are some jobs opening this fall were getting walmart and other stores next to cabelas

sz89128 · 06-18-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katedreams

We moved to Hamburg 15 years ago The school is very great if you Choose to live in town your daughter Could walk home from the middle school and high school when she gets older it also great if your Limit with one car that you can catch the bus at redners or on the one corner to go up to cabelas or to Reading There are some jobs opening this fall were getting walmart and other stores next to cabelas

How far of a commute would Reading be from Hamburg? I'm thinking there might be more opportunities for my wife in that area. And what about housing? I can't find any apartment listings anywhere near Hamburg and I know we have to rent for a couple of years.

KevinE · 06-18-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sz89128

If we do move I am not sure if I would live in Hamburg or somewhere close.

Hamburg is a depressed blue collar town with nicer housing on its outskirts. Kutztown is much nicer but that is reflected in the real estate and rental prices.

Katedreams · 06-19-2010, 07:14 AM

driving to reading is about 15-20 minutes from hamburg you can always check on windsorpress.com craigslist or reading eagle newspaper for housing we been lucky where we live for 15 years for rent to be $750 for a two story house with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms

sz89128 · 06-19-2010, 09:54 AM

Thank you all for your comments. The job deadline is July 2 so I should know more around that time if I will be moving.

Which area would you recommend for a young family? My daughter is 8, and my wife and I in our early 30's. My daughter loves artsy things - museums, dance, music, festivals, etc. And I want to make sure she has a decent school.

Katedreams · 06-19-2010, 02:38 PM

Hamburg is a great school if you daughter love to dance there a dance pointe studio in hamburg every first friday of the month that have walk in town that you can look at what did drew and taking pictures other things your wife and daughtry might like hamburg is a great location if you need to go to new york city which is 2 hrs away and hr away from new jersey and 3 hours to DC

sz89128 · 06-20-2010, 02:19 PM

I have been doing some looking at the map and it looks Allentown is just as far as Reading. It might even be quicker with the use of the turnpike. Keep in mind my earlier comments, any thoughts on living in either of these 2 towns keeping in mind family and schools? Which would you select? Why?

Katedreams · 06-20-2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sz89128

I have been doing some looking at the map and it looks Allentown is just as far as Reading. It might even be quicker with the use of the turnpike. Keep in mind my earlier comments, any thoughts on living in either of these 2 towns keeping in mind family and schools? Which would you select? Why?

Allentown and reading both have there cons and pros If I had to choice I would choice allentown It seem safer for your daughter and reading has crimes and people doing drug if you live in the bad part of it I don't think you want you daughter and wife walking in the bad part where people do drugs if you want to closer to your job could choice to live in hamburg or like shoemakersville or in hamburg school district