Living in Allentown, PA - What I love and what I hate
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
- Change is scary, but the Lehigh Valley is a good place to call home. There’s a perfect mix of city life, the ‘burbs and and rural areas too, pick your pleasure!
There's lots to see and even more to do. But no place is perfect so here's what I love and a few things that drive me a little crazy.
U.S. News analyzed 150 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there.
Allentown ranked, twice!
#11 in Best Places to Retire (2022-2023)
#111 in Best Places to Live (2022-2023)
Read all about it online - realestate.usnews.com/places/...
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If you are new here, welcome!
My name is Tiffany Nelson.
I'm a Realtor, proudly serving Allentown, PA and Surrounding Areas in the Lehigh Valley. If you want to talk with me about Allentown or Lehigh Valley real estate, feel free to email me at tiffsterritory@gmail.com.
🏡 On this channel, I share tips on the home buying/selling process, answer your real estate related questions, and provide information from a locals point of view.
Connect with me here:
F A C E B O O K: / tiffsterritory
I N S T A G R A M: / tiffsterritory
E M A I L: tiffsterritory@gmail.com
Office (610) 398-9888
Mobile (484) 535-4665
Search homes for sale in the Allentown area here, NO LOGIN required:
tiffanynelson.foxroach.com/
Licensed in Pennsylvania with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Fox and Roach Realtors
Allentown, PA 18106
🏆 US News ranks Allentown: realestate.usnews.com/places/...
111 in Best Places to Live
11 in Best Places to Retire
8 in Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania
23 in Safest Places to Live
#movingtoallentown #lehighvalley #lehighvalleyrealestate
#tiffsterritory #livinginallentown #allentown #allentownpa #livinginlehighvalley
#tiffanynelsonrealtor #breinigsville
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Thanks for this short piece on the Lehigh Valley. I am a native who moved to NYC after college and has just returned after 40 years away. I probably have a slightly different perspective. The LV has a lot of history, from native people through colonial times then the industrial revolution, now a post industrial world where technology has made the LV a suburb of NYC. It has great natural beauty surrounded by green hills( now that the smoke is gone) with farmland just a fe2 miles in any direction. I have found the people particularly welcoming too. Taxes, cost of living, shopping all import. You might add that car insurance is much cheaper here than in large metro areas and the three airports:ABE, PHL and Newark make travel pretty easy.
Welcome back to the Valley! And I have heard from a few others about the reduced cost of car insurance, I'll be sure to keep that in mind.
You seem like such a genuinely nice person!
WYSIWYG: What you see is what you get 😉 thanks for commenting!
For those like me who grew up in the Lehigh Valley, the public transportation issue is just par for the course and really not a problem. However, anyone who moves here from a larger city will definitely be affected by the car society we have have here. As someone who grew up here, I find it really sad that the agricultural areas are dwindling and being replaced with either homes or warehouses. The great thing about this area is that it does still have a lot of wooded and park locations for hiking and outdoor activities. It also has lots of small town USA feel available. Yet, we're only 2 hours from NYC and 1.5 hours from Philly. We also have our own airport that is just big enough, but not ridiculous like Newark or Philly airports. All-in-all, the Lehigh Valley is a pretty nice place to grow up and to raise a family.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
We have no public train service anymore, but Amtrak is planning a new Allentown to New York service which will use freight railroad tracks into NJ, then NJT and Amtrak rails to Newark, NJ and New York (Manhattan). The closest commuter rail stations are Colmar on Rt. 309 on the SEPTA Lansdale-Doylestown line, and Annandale, NJ on the NJ Transit Raritan Valley line. A Trans-Bridge bus could get you to Doylestown where you could get on a SEPTA train to Philly and connect with other SEPTA trains or Amtrak trains.
@@robkrasinski6217 this is good information, thanks for commenting here, much appreciated!
Nice and prompt information about Allentown , Thank you Stephanie! We are planning to move to Lehigh valley area.
Hello Tiffany ,nice video.
In '76, we lived on N 16th street, across from the Masonic temple and maybe 50yrds from West Park. Back then the houses on that block were full on antiques. Stained glass windows, crystal interior doorknobs. Was a great place to be a kid.
Wow cool perspective I have a property on 16th
Not anymore.. it’s sad… I remember that stuff when I was a kid… they took down a whole lot of the historical buildings here. It’s a shame. Let the memories live on tho. That’s nice that you remember some beauty in this ish hole it’s become.
Welcome to the Lehigh Valley. I have been living in the Lehigh Valley for 44 years. I know it like the back of my hand. I love it here went to high school, 2 colleges and earn my degrees. Also worked in New York and PA. I got married to my husband. We celebrated 26 years and 7 months. We are raising our Generation Z daughter. Soon we will celebrate Musikfest and visit Longwood Garden in Christmas. 🥰
Thanks for commenting about your life experiences in the Lehigh Valley for others to read, I appreciate it.
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube my pleasure. Wishing you a lovely Friday.🥰
Thank you!
Wonderful video.
Thank you very much!
Please make a video on good kindergarten and elementary schools, apartments for moving in Allentown and detailed video on cost of living including day care costs.
As someone who lives in whitehall very close, it’s nice here!
👀Check out my Whitehall video, thanks for commenting!!
Hi Tiffany, you are very pretty with dark brown eyes and dark curly hair and hoop earrings. I only lived west of Allentown my whole life and my late mom who passed almost two years ago this June grew up in south and west Allentown and her late mom grew up outside of and in Emmaus. But, I have family members on my late father's side who live in California, Texas, Florida, he had a brother and three half brothers they are all still alive, and one is in Emmaus. Another uncle from Emmaus moved to Fort Myers, FL with his wife several years ago. My father passed March 8, 1986. He was born in the Bronx, and moved to Tamaqua when he was little then his mom moved to south Allentown. He served in the Air Force in the Vietnam War and worked for the former Bethlehem Steel in the main Bethlehem plant.
thanks for the kind words and the comment. I hope you and your family are well🌻
FYI if you want large quantities of beer you can purchase them at beer outlets
Absolutely!!
👍👍
We are NY natives but had a house in Mt Pocono. I never knew about the alcohol limit in grocery stores. That’s interesting. We’re coming soon to Lehigh. Thanks for the video!!
What part of NY? I have a few Long Island friends here in the Valley.
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube I live in Staten Island.
Never been, its on the wishlist.
Thinking of coming when I retire in 18 months from NYC @ 44 years old. Lets see I love your videos…
Come visit for a looooong weekend, see if it’s a good fit for you. And thank you for the kind comment, having a 💩 day, I really appreciate it☺️
New Yorkers have been moving to PA for many decades. It’s common
The reason is lower taxes. Eastern PA north of Bucks County has lower taxes than NJ, NY, Philly, Philly suburbs. But, your school/property taxes will vary based on township or city. And NY'ers commute into NY from LV by bus or drive, or drive to an NJ Transit train station like Annandale off I-78.
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutubeyes I’m thinking of it and your welcome stay positive
@@robkrasinski6217 Yes this is one factor, some have stated it’s also a better quality of life. Everyone is different, really depends on you and your needs.
Hi Stephanie Thank you for the nice content I'm coming to allentown Which places are suitable for housing and entertainment for children? Which schools are better? thank you
Tiffany Nelson - Realtor Lehigh Valley, PA
5 months ago
As a realtor, I can't answer that question because it's against fair housing for Realtors to "steer" people to any neighborhood. I know that doesn't help you at all :( But I will include a few websites to help guide you with school districts, you can also check fb groups, cause you know folks like to talk! Check out - www.greatschools.org/pennsylvania/allentown/ AND www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/m/allentown-area
How is the rentals market in College Heights district of West Allentown? Do you sell and manage property?
We’ve had low inventory since COVID. it comes and goes fast!
I'm from Kunkletown/Monroe county but the first half of my life I was in and out of Allentown, my Nan used to watch me and my mom worked at the Morning Call before they were bought by Chicago Tribune and she was laid off. People talk so much smack about Allentown like theyre straight terrified and I never understood it.
I agree!
Do you recommend Monroe county? Looking at relocating from Tx next summer to East Stroudsburg/ bushkill
@@ericb1876 It depends on your budget, I think Monroe is the highest property taxes in the state (don't quote me, but it's up there). The neighboring County Carbon County is exactly right next door and much more affordable in that aspect.
Thanks for the reply. If you don’t mind answering I was also curious about the crime in both Stroudsburg area as well as Allentown. I’ve read about a bit in Allentown but not so much in Stroudsburg. Any opinion?
Not familiar with Monroe, we'll have you in Lehigh County though :) Also, I didnt know your comment was here, sorry for the delay.
Hi would you recommend Easton for a young family? Great schools are important. Would your information.
Hi Ashley, school districts are very personal. Check out greatschools.org and niche.com, to see if Easton School district is a good fit for your family. Thanks for commenting!
Nice video. I'm thinking about to move there. I have 2 kids with autism and I would like to know please. How is special education there. Thank you!
Check out niche.com, schooldigger.com or www.greatschools.org for area schools and their unique programs. Also the different school district fb groups may provide some additional insight
I have my computer up and the sound coming from your end is pretty low
It was my first video, I have a microphone now
Could you please do a video on swoyersville?
@Raina Knight, Im not familiar with Swoyersville, it's over an hour away from Allentown
Hi can you do video about charter schools some schools in allentown . How are special education and pros and cons?
Thanks for commenting. I dont know much about Charter Schools, try fb, niche.com, greatschools.org or schooldigger.com. Good Luck!
What can you tell me about the west park historic district in Allentown and west Allen high school? I am a New Yorker looking to relocate. I am 48 and retired ..
I talk about West Allentown in my video, Small Towns near Allentown. USNews ranks Allentown #108 in Best Places to Live and #11 in Best Places to retire.
Read more about it here: realestate.usnews.com/places/pennsylvania/allentown
You can visit niche.com for more information on schools and different areas in the Lehigh Valley.
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube thank you …
don't come Lehigh Valley is very conservative
@@DONNYPESO I am conservative , In either case I don’t see how that’s a bad thing . Easton is liberal
It's definitely safer than NY however it is pretty welcoming but people don't stick or really create friendships easily and the best Allentown school district is Parkland other then that they don't really teach the children well and have a huge bullying problem. Over all public school is just not the route to go anyway. You can keep to yourself and mind your business here which is nice. Police don't Harrass ppl. It's a good stepping stone and step up from NY but eventually living here after a while I'm ready to move somewhere else because I really don't connect with this place. People are more sad then happy here.
Creating friendships is so much easier in grade school, amiright? But after TWENTY years here, Ive made a few keepers. Ive also worked with ppl on projects that walk right by me in the market now, go figure.
I’m in NY right now Upstate NY and plan on moving down to Either Allentown ? Ashland pa or even Altoona pa just trying to make sure I can actually be happy and just be in pa soil in general. Give me some feed back if you don’t mind.
Feedback outside the videos on the channel? Allentown in 3rd largest city in Pennsylvania and we parties. lol
For some reason the Lehigh Valley area is one of the best areas in the US to live in. And taxes are lower than NJ and NY. I live outside of Allentown in the suburbs which is more built up now with homes and retail stores. Our school taxes and property taxes in our township are lower than neighboring townships, but the taxes keep going up every year due to the increasing population in the Parkland School District and they have to renovate and expand schools to accommodate many more students so they have to raise the taxes to cover the costs. Parkland is one of the better school districts in the area, I'm a 1992 graduate. Most of the teachers I had or knew retired or passed away as well as most of the principals, a few passed away and there were a few superintendents since I graduated. One of the main draws of the LV as a tourist destination for outsiders in the summer is Dorney Park, as well as fairs, festivals, Musikfest, etc.
thanks for the information! YOU ARE A GORGEOUS WOMAN by the way. God bless you honey, from Fort Worth TEXAS
Well now Im blushing☺️ thanks for watching & commenting
Don't forget subways buses Subway surface trolley regional realm broad Street line which is the subway maybe not only that I believe you should get in touch with your public transportation faculty and let them know what's going on or what we can do is do it ourselves boost up the transportation.
Yeah, Philly does have the regional rails also. That would be nice to have here.
That place look nice,It that big town?
There are about 800K people in this area, hope that helps
I lived 3 years in The Lehigh valley, Bethlehem and Allentown to be more specific. Honestly is good place to live but it’s hard to make friends and people are so bored, they are like machines. Winter also is very depressing. I would like to mention the segregation to Hispanic population in downtown area, that’s so sad considering that I’m Hispanic but everyone in that area is a “wannabe gangster” and it’s awful.
@MarceloFernandez308 Where do you live now? Why did you leave? Thanks for commenting your experiences, it helps.
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube Your welcome, right now, I’m currently living in Spain. I leave the Us for the reason that I felt very lonely, don’t like the culture of people (tend to be rude) so I decided to get to back to my country Chile. Even though I’m a Us citizen, for me personally it’s not worth it, probably to make some money but that’s it
I was going to work on a solar panel job up near Altoona,Pennsylvania for 5 months.I went up there and the area looked depressing big time.I went to upstate NY to visit,orginally from Binghamton NY,then returned back to Raleigh NC.
Altoona is between here and Pittsburgh, about 3 hours away. Allentown is a more metro, we parties😉
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube Hello.I hope you are having a great day.Raleigh would swallow Allentown 10 times.🤣
@@gregorycyr9272 My sister lived there, how do you manage with all that good food around? I had to get outta there, FAST 🏃🏾♀️💨 Thanks for watching and commenting!!
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube Food is ok.I was just kidding about the swallow thing but Raleigh is booming city.With that comes traffic and it's getting very expensive for housing.
Affordable housing is getting tricky, luxury housing is in full swing, seems like everywhere.
I saw someone in Northampton with a bumper sticker that said “Go back to NY” some people 😮
Hogwash! If ppl “go back” the Lehigh Valley wont keep getting better businesses to come here and keep making our lives easier.
There can be a cultural difference between a guy from Brooklyn and someone in rural PA. Although the distance is not that far, it’s like 2 different planets
There are cultural differences, even if we lived next door to each other. That is everywhere in America, no?
I have an interview for a job. I might be relocating from California
Good luck🍀
Awesome my family just moved from Rex, Georgia to Sonoma County, CA.
Great video on the subject! So I am looking into moving to the Allentown area to be closer to my girlfriend.
Thanks for commenting!
Good vid… audio is to low 😢
It was my first video, I have a microphone now, so fancy 💁🏾♀️
I live in Allentown South. Pennsylvania, I love. Allentown? Not so much. Good video, though.
I was there today on Hall St, maybe I can help you buy/sell somewhere else? LMK!
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube Thank you but I'm too old {70} to pack up and move.
@@jamesmcgrath1952 Fair enough 😊
Billy Joel brought me here.
thank him for me? 😏
Vous avez de la chance !, en Europe , pour l'achat d'une voiture 21 % de taxe , alimentation 6%, vêtements, outils, etc 21% , énergie 21%,
Essence 58% de taxe 😂
Jamais vous ne habitueriez en Europe 🎉
Translation: You are lucky!, in Europe, for the purchase of a car 21% tax, food 6%, clothing, tools, etc. 21%, energy 21%,
Gasoline 58% tax 😂
You would never get used to Europe 🎉.... thanks for commenting!
The taxes are crazy wow. Here in Jersey you pay taxes even up to for breathing
😂😂Thanks for commenting!
You just seem so genuine. I’m gonna try…are you single?
I am not, but thank you for the kind comment ☺️
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube lucky guy
I gotta get out of Chicago 😂😂😂Illinois they tax everybody and everything and everywhere
Bring us Chicago 🍕!! PA sales tax is 6%… but there is no tax on necessities, groceries, clothing, etc.
If you have the means to live elsewhere, I implore you to do so. Allentown is an awful place to live. Drunk and high people everywhere, vandalism, people not watching their kids.
Thanks for commenting. Allentown is 18 miles long, population 125K ppl. You're likely speaking to one segment of an underbelly? Allentown is not a monolith. Check out this article by USNews for some uplifting news about Allentown!
realestate.usnews.com/places/pennsylvania/allentown
@@tiffsterritoryonyoutube Exactly! I moved to Allentown in 1996, I worked for Allentown School District (I'm now retired and living in Emmaus), bought a house, paid my taxes, raised my children, minded my own business and my veg garden, was always very courteous and mindful of the law, picked apples and strawberries up at the farm in Whitehall, and traveled to NY whenever I wanted to see theater on Broadway. I have never had a problem with anyone, and when I go visit my family in Fort Lauderdale, FL its as if I'm in another world and I can't wait to come back "home." As long as you know how to chose your friends, chose wisely the place where you want to live and stay out of center city, you'll be fine. Its not as if you were in Detroit, the Bronx, Cleveland, Miami or Atlanta.
@@elizabethtorrales7170 Yes! I think every city has its misfits but the bulk of most areas is full of hard working citizens. Thanks for commenting.
your really quiet
Make sure it's turned up on your end
The thing I hate about Allentown is meeting the fake New York wannabes who been in Allentown since they were toddlers
Thanks for commenting!
The gay parties republican and democrat have Pennsylvania near the bottom and that is unacceptable.
Thanks for commenting!
I have lived in allentown for 75yrs, make a video of our filthy streets, our streams that are polluted and fishing is gone, make a video of the shootings, stabbings and the drug gangs in allentown..Make a film on the homeless that hang on our streets, make a video of all the illegals pouring into the city, you cant leave your house after dark so you dont get mugged. Thats the real allentown
That's not a video I would make because that's not my story - it's yours. TH-cam does not charge anything to upload videos expressing opinions, experiences and concerns, it's all free of charge. I recommend you share your story maybe it will help others. Thanks for watching & commenting.