Places to Live in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania

A game of Trivial Pursuit has come down to the following question: Which Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area ranks third in population? Of course, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh rank first and second respectively in population. The answer is not Erie, Scranton, or even the state capital, Harrisburg. With a 2018 United States census estimate placing the population of Lehigh Valley at a little more than 840,000, the Metropolitan Statistical Area ranks third in the Keystone State.

Several cities drive up the population numbers for Lehigh Valley, including Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. Other factors that make Lehigh Valley attractive to home buyers is the region’s proximity to two large metropolitan areas: Philadelphia and New York City. Four times since 2014, Site Selection Magazine has named Lehigh Valley as one of the top 5 best-performing regions of its size in the United States. In 2015, Fortune ranked the area as one of the top 10 best places to establish corporate finance and IT departments.

From highly-rated public school districts to picturesque vistas overlooking deep-running valleys, Lehigh Valley has everything a new resident wants in finding the ideal place to call home.

Prominent Cities in Lehigh Valley

Three cities define the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Statistical area: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The geographic boundaries of the region start with the Delaware River on the eastern edge, the Poconos lining the northern border, Bucks County to the south, and Montgomery running along the western side of Lehigh Valley. The region is considered a part of the Great Appalachian Valley.

Allentown

Legendary performing artist Billy Joel made Allentown famous back in the 1980s for the wrong reasons. Fast forward around 35 years, and the once downtrodden city located in the Rust Belt has enjoyed a robust economic revival. The Urban Land Institute named Allentown one of just six national success stories in 2016. 

With a redevelopment of the downtown area that has received critical acclaim, Allentown boasts one of the healthiest economies in the eastern half of the United States. Gone are many of the manufacturing plants, and in their place, civic leaders have created a diverse economic base driven by Internet-based technology companies. Allentown is also home to a thriving health care system that includes Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.

Cultural events keep the city buzzing throughout the year, with the Great Allentown Fair entertaining residents, as well visitors from as far away as Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

Bethlehem

Once renowned for international economic powerhouse Bethlehem Steel, Bethlehem, PA has turned into a prominent host a large number of annual cultural festivals. The most popular event is called Musikfest, which runs for ten days every August. The mostly free music festival attracts more than one million people to the event, with many of the attendees booking hotel rooms for several days at a time. Bethlehem is also known for the Bach Choir of Bethlehem that entertains at the annual Bethlehem Bach Festival. Other notable cultural events include the Celtic Classic and the SouthSide Film Festival. The progressive rock music event called North East Art Rock Festival showcases the hottest prog rock bands in the world.

Easton

Parents with young to middle age children visit Easton to spend time at two interactive museums: the Crayola Experience and the National Canal Museum. The National Canal Museum educates kids on how canals became an integral economic driving force for the area, as well as one of the most popular spots for water recreational activities in the State of Pennsylvania. Historic Downtown Easton exudes a 19th-century charm that makes the city bustle with tourists throughout the year. The busy tourist trade generates significant revenue for the city, which allows the city to lower sales and property tax rates. Several American Civil War attractions present a wide spectrum of stories concerning the battles waged in the Keystone State. 

Emmaus

Finally, we have Emmaus, PA, which is home to some of the best public schools in the United States. One of the country’s largest beer distribution companies has its headquarters in the city.

Want to learn more about the right area for your family and you? Contact us today!