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Thursday, March 30, 2023

What to Know About Living in Allentown, PA

Allentown Pennsylvania

What to Know About Living in Allentown, PA

Want to live someplace with four seasons, lots of activities, and affordability? Perhaps Allentown, Pennsylvania, could be the right fit. The state’s third largest city is far enough away from New York and Philadelphia to have ample green spaces and affordable places to live but close enough to visit when you want. Plus, this historic city is thoroughly modern, with craft breweries, street festivals, and a growing arts scene.

So why not learn more about living in Allentown, PA? Our community profile covers all the basic need-to-knows for this thriving city.

Where is Allentown, PA?

Allen Town PA map

Allentown is a city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the eastern United States. It’s part of the Lehigh Valley, a geographic area known for its fertile soil, rolling hills, and meandering Lehigh River. The region also has two other large cities, Bethlehem and Easton.

The city is 73 miles from Philadelphia, PA, and a quick 90 minutes from New York City. Residents have easy access to the Lehigh Valley International Airport and Interstates 78, 476, and 80 for getting around the eastern seaboard and beyond.

Is Allentown, PA, growing?

 

As of the 2020 Census, its population was around 125,000, making it the third-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Its growth has been stable since the 2020 Census, neither losing nor growing significantly. Part of that has to do with its densely in-filled city limits. Allentown has little room to expand, as it borders many other small towns and cities inside the Allentown metro.

growing population in Allenton PA

Lehigh County, where Allentown is the county seat, is expected to add around 15,000 residents by 2030. However, the report notes that growth is most likely outside the significant cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton.

What should I know about Allentown, PA?

Allentown’s rich history in America started in the 18th century when it was founded by William Allen, a former mayor of Philadelphia. During the American Revolution, a local church hid the Liberty Bell from British troops. After one of their battles, the settlement served as a stopover for General Washington and his troops. With such a long history, it’s not surprising the city has 13 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today US News and World Report ranks Allentown as the nation’s no. 9 best place to retire and among the top 25 safest places to live. It’s the eighth-best place to live in Pennsylvania. The high marks were for the combination of things to do and its affordability.

The city is at the center of a larger metropolitan area that sprawls across the Lehigh Valley. This geographic feature runs about 40 miles long and traces the Lehigh River on its way to the Delaware River. Scattered across the valley are charming small towns, iconic covered bridges, numerous craft breweries, and many parks and waterways to explore.

What is the Allentown cost of living?

Based on figures from Sperling’s Best Places Index, your cost of living in Allentown is very similar to the Pennsylvania state-wide average. Living here is about 7% cheaper than the overall national average.

cost of living in Allentown PA

You’ll find savings in housing, which ran 26% less than the nation and 7% less than Pennsylvania. However, you can expect to pay more for miscellaneous costs, utilities, and healthcare.

What is the job market like?

Allentown’s diverse economy includes manufacturing, healthcare, and technology industries. The city has several major employers, including Steel Stone Manufacturing, Air Products and Chemicals, PPL Electrics Corporation, and Lehigh Valley Hospital. Amazon also utilizes the city’s strategic location as a transportation hub.

What’s the real estate market like in Allentown?

The median home price was around $235,000 as of March 2023, up 8% year-over-year. The market had 202 homes for sale, including condos and townhomes.

However, if you want waterfront living, your options are very few. While the Lehigh River runs east of downtown and Little Lehigh Creek drains into it, most of the waterfront real estate is parkland or commercial. The city also lacks golf course communities in the city limits.

What you can find are well-loved historic homes from an assortment of periods and in various styles and states. You’ll also have some newer construction homes.

The most affordable listing was a 305 sq ft downtown parking space for $10,500. The most expensive single-family home was $1.85 million for a five-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom estate home on over an acre.

What are the best places to live in Allentown?

The West End Theater District is one of the city’s best places to live. Here, you’ll find some of Allentown’s most beautiful and historic homes with easy access to the Downtown Arts District thanks to a pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and layout. There are over 140 shops for dining and essentials for residents. The neighborhood’s perks include easy access to parks and recreational areas, including nearby Jordan Park and Trexler Nature Preserve. Muhlenberg College is accessible to the south.
Allentown PA amazing panoramic view

Old Allentown spans 14 blocks and was laid out in 1762. Primarily residential, there are two historic cemeteries inside the historic district. The stately homes have Victorian, Federal, and Italianate flair. You’ll find brownstones, townhomes, and single-family homes. This part of town is undergoing revitalization.

West Park Historic District is beside West Park. As the name suggests, it has beautiful old homes built in the Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles. At the center is the namesake park with its stately water fountain and contemporary band shell used for community events. Beside the community is the Allentown Fairgrounds, which hosts a weekly farmer’s market.

Hamilton Park is one of the fastest-growing areas in Allentown. It’s a residential area that offers single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Residents can visit Union Terrace Park on the west side with its gently meandering Cedar Creek. Cedar Crest College borders on the east side, and Dorney Park and Wildcatter Kingdom are conveniently a few minutes down Hamilton Blvd.

For something newer, try City Center or downtown Allentown. There are multiple luxury apartment developments, condos, and some outlying single-family homes. Downtown has over 25 bars and restaurants, performing arts venues, and art galleries. The city is working hard to make its core a thriving community for working, living, and playing.

East Allentown includes the communities on the other side of the Lehigh River. Historic Rittersville was once a separate village before being incorporated into the city. The more residential areas include Dutch Hill and Midway Manor. The community has the Coca-Cola Park, home of the minor league Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Canal Park runs alongside the Lehigh River for recreation, while Keck Park has sports courts and a picnic pavilion.

What is there to do in Allentown, PA?

Visit the Allentown Art Museum or the America On Wheels Museum, which celebrates the history of transportation in the United States. Mack Trucks once were produced here, and there’s a museum of their history, too.

Parks and green spaces include the Lehigh Parkway and the Trexler Nature Preserve, where residents can enjoy hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. The parkway’s Lights in the Parkway is one of winter’s must-see attractions.

The bustling downtown area is packed with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. The Hamilton Street Business District is home to the PPL Center, which hosts concerts, minor league hockey, and other live performances. Locals go to the West End Theater District for the latest concerts and shows. It connects to the ArtsWalk, a pedestrian-only pathway connecting the Baum School of Art and the Allentown Art Museum.

Families enjoy the historic Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, operating since 1884. The over 60 rides include eight rollercoasters and one of the nation’s largest water parks.

What is near Allentown, PA?

Strategically placed, the city is a mere hour’s drive from Philadelphia down the Pennsylvania Turnpike and just two hours from New York City on I-78. It’s an ideal location for those who want to stay close to major metropolitan areas. Washington, DC, could also be a day trip 188 miles away.

In the immediate vicinity are the metro towns of Bethlehem, Fullerton, and Wescosville. In some ways, they feel like the suburbs of Allentown, given their proximity and shared amenities. Further into the Lehigh Valley are Northampton, Catasaqua, and Middletown.

Lehigh University is right next door in the town of Fountain Hill. This college town has a population of over 2,000 and has been a vibrant community since its founding in 1866.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo awaits just outside town with over 300 species, live animal shows, and a jumping fountain. The Zoo is inside the Trexler Nature Preserve.

Living in Allentown, PA

Overall, Allentown is a dynamic and welcoming city that offers its residents a high quality of life. With its rich history, thriving arts scene, and diverse economy, Allentown has a balanced list of advantages as a place to live in Pennsylvania. To learn more about living in Allentown, work with a local real estate agent who can pinpoint the best places for your lifestyle needs.

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Preston Guyton

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