Name: Allentown, PA
Rating: 0.0

( 19 Ratings )

Living in Allentown, PA

Ranks better than 78% of areas Follow

Population

121,156

Median Age

31.2 Years

Allentown Area Facts

Allentown has a Livability Score of 78_/100, which is considered exceptional
Allentown crime rates are 52% higher than the Pennsylvania average
Cost of living in Allentown is equal to the Pennsylvania average

What do the locals think about Allentown?

38%

Family friendly

69%

Public transit is accessible

23%

Walkable to grocery stores

23%

Yards are well-kept

38%

Lots of parks

62%

Walkable to restaurants

Friendly neighbors

Safe at night

Pet friendly

Streets have sidewalks

31%

A quiet area

38%

Sense of community

Based on 13 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll

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Allentown Reviews

Write a review about Allentown Tell people what you like or don't like about Allentown…

Decades of change 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Feb 07, 2021) In the last 45 years Allentown has undergone substantial changes. A primary change is in demographics. In the late 1960's to late 1970's at least 85% of the population was white middle class. Over those decades there became each year a large influx of spanish/latino resident ...Read More s that now represent over 50% of the population. The reason: cheaper housing various blue collar jobs and milder winters. In addition most of the large national corporate headquarters relocated out of the area. The culture has changed and while there has been an uptick in crime mostly all residents are industrious and polite.
Most of the movement towards more expensive housing moved to the suburbs of the area and left Allentown open to less expensive homes with drew lower income residents.
The city experienced a renaissance in the early 2000's with NIZ housing which allowed those interested in buying homes and businesses are lower tax rates. As a result Allentown center city became more of an attraction for growth.
Over the past 2 decades the city and its suburbs due to its strategic location on the east coast has become a major center for
warehousing. Big time warehouses throughout the area.
For decades Allentown and it suburbs was always considered to be a nice place to raise a family. To some degree that is still the case. One thing in particular that has changed over the past 15 years is traffic. This seems to have changed dramatically with a major interstate 78 running through the western part of the city. That has been a significant change.
All and all a good but not a great place to live and has tremendous access to the big cities such as Philadelphia, NY, NJ and Washington, DC. There are also a number of fine parks in the area and the Pocono's are less than an hour away. Read Less

Disgusted 1 rating By Anonymous ( Nov 05, 2018) Ever since spainish people moved into Allentown pa,,,,the crime rate increased.Im white.I have had these people insult me with profanity while I was walking alone.A spainish women gave me an extremely angry look and spat on the ground.Other Hispanics also spat on the ground as I ...Read More had walk near or passed them. Read Less

2005 In Allentown, PA 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 13, 2015) I lived in Allentown, PA for a short period of time in 2005 when I was younger. I moved to Allentown, PA from Pittsburgh, PA so it was a bit of a change for me. The town was not in very good shape, but it was going through major changes to improve job growth and opportunities. Si ...Read More nce there are nice places to live, people that are relocating should find suitable neighborhoods to set up a home. The people are very nice in the area, so the community thrives even though it isn't doing too well in the economy. For shopping needs, the area has several stores that are popular. Most of them are smaller and they change names often. These stores have a lot of great finds in them that other people will like.

In Allentown, PA there are great places to go like Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. The America On Wheels Museum and the Allentown Art are great attractions that offer people a lot of culture.

When dining in Allentown, PA, people will find a nice variety of restaurants to choose from. One that I favored was the Tu Casa Nightclub and Restaurant because you could eat wonderful and stay for dancing. They will also find that there is nightlife opportunities too. Catch 22 Nightclub and Stooges are fun to go to at night. Many people like to go to movies in the area or shows at night. There are enough places to have some fun and make new friends. It is a fun place for those that want to get out. Read Less

in defense of allentown 4 rating By A-Treat ( Aug 02, 2013) I hear a lot of Allentown reviews criticizing Allentown as some sort of a dangerous slum. Frankly I think that is a bit ridiculous. Allentown for ever however small it seems compared to major urban centers, is the 3 largest city in Pa. Because of this its going to have 'large' c ...Read More ity problems, such as pockets of poverty and the sequel that often comes with that. HOWEVER, Allentown is also a walkable, affordable, relatively friendly, place. Its park systems are absolutely beautiful.

I am a woman and have been a walking and bike commuter most of my life. And I worked in center city area for >6 years. I never felt like I was in personal danger at anytime. If you look at most of the crime occurring in Allentown it is happening among people who are acquainted with one another and is either drug or domestic violence related. If you are not into drug trafficking and in a safe relationship, your chances of personal harm are relatively low.

If you want a lovely forested neighborhood, anything west of 19th is nice - like a suburb within a city. Allentown also has a hidden gem of a lovely downtown historic district. There are some houses that are so beautiful, old and well maintained in relatively poorer neighborhoods. I wouldn't discourage people from living in these either. These east coast cities have tightly bound walkable communities near lots of little whole in the wall restaurants with great food. There is a certain charm to it.

Allentown is also a very diverse community. The block I grew up on as a kid had families from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Viet nam, and old PA dutch lady living on a city block. I think its an advantage to be in a mulch-ethnic place. Its something I personally look for when relocating.

My biggest complaint about the city? - its school system. It is extremely underfunded and as of this date, has slashed and burned their arts and music programs. One of the biggest reasons families move out of the city is the get their kids into a better school district. And I don't blame them! If you make enough money there are some very good private schools, but most people just don't have the income for it.

You can get everywhere in the area in roughly half an hour or less. The suburbs are lovely too, I'm not knocking them. I understand completely understand there appeal. It just depends what you are looking for. if you are comfortable with being an urban dweller, Allentown is a pretty good hybrid of urban and small town wrapped into one. Read Less

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2005 In Allentown, PA 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 13, 2015) I lived in Allentown, PA for a short period of time in 2005 when I was younger. I moved to Allentown, PA from Pittsburgh, PA so it was a bit of a change for me. The town was not in very good shape, but it was going through major changes to improve job growth and opportunities. Si ...Read More nce there are nice places to live, people that are relocating should find suitable neighborhoods to set up a home. The people are very nice in the area, so the community thrives even though it isn't doing too well in the economy. For shopping needs, the area has several stores that are popular. Most of them are smaller and they change names often. These stores have a lot of great finds in them that other people will like.

In Allentown, PA there are great places to go like Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. The America On Wheels Museum and the Allentown Art are great attractions that offer people a lot of culture.

When dining in Allentown, PA, people will find a nice variety of restaurants to choose from. One that I favored was the Tu Casa Nightclub and Restaurant because you could eat wonderful and stay for dancing. They will also find that there is nightlife opportunities too. Catch 22 Nightclub and Stooges are fun to go to at night. Many people like to go to movies in the area or shows at night. There are enough places to have some fun and make new friends. It is a fun place for those that want to get out. Read Less

in defense of allentown 4 rating By A-Treat ( Aug 02, 2013) I hear a lot of Allentown reviews criticizing Allentown as some sort of a dangerous slum. Frankly I think that is a bit ridiculous. Allentown for ever however small it seems compared to major urban centers, is the 3 largest city in Pa. Because of this its going to have 'large' c ...Read More ity problems, such as pockets of poverty and the sequel that often comes with that. HOWEVER, Allentown is also a walkable, affordable, relatively friendly, place. Its park systems are absolutely beautiful.

I am a woman and have been a walking and bike commuter most of my life. And I worked in center city area for >6 years. I never felt like I was in personal danger at anytime. If you look at most of the crime occurring in Allentown it is happening among people who are acquainted with one another and is either drug or domestic violence related. If you are not into drug trafficking and in a safe relationship, your chances of personal harm are relatively low.

If you want a lovely forested neighborhood, anything west of 19th is nice - like a suburb within a city. Allentown also has a hidden gem of a lovely downtown historic district. There are some houses that are so beautiful, old and well maintained in relatively poorer neighborhoods. I wouldn't discourage people from living in these either. These east coast cities have tightly bound walkable communities near lots of little whole in the wall restaurants with great food. There is a certain charm to it.

Allentown is also a very diverse community. The block I grew up on as a kid had families from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Viet nam, and old PA dutch lady living on a city block. I think its an advantage to be in a mulch-ethnic place. Its something I personally look for when relocating.

My biggest complaint about the city? - its school system. It is extremely underfunded and as of this date, has slashed and burned their arts and music programs. One of the biggest reasons families move out of the city is the get their kids into a better school district. And I don't blame them! If you make enough money there are some very good private schools, but most people just don't have the income for it.

You can get everywhere in the area in roughly half an hour or less. The suburbs are lovely too, I'm not knocking them. I understand completely understand there appeal. It just depends what you are looking for. if you are comfortable with being an urban dweller, Allentown is a pretty good hybrid of urban and small town wrapped into one. Read Less

Unsafe city with no great local culture. 0.5 rating By Friendly ( Sep 06, 2012) My family settled here in 1753 and I have been a citizen and lived in the same neighborhood for 64 plus years.

About 25 years ago a former Mayor invited people from NY, NJ and PR to move here and settle here. He was going for more Federal Funding and housing.

What we have now i ...Read More s MORE crime and MORE criminals to a degree never known before and for sure not in my 64 years. We had to wait an hour and 20 minutes for a police officer. The police explained there is now a waiting list for calls. The new Police Sub Station is 5 minutes walk from our home and we had to wait an hour and 20 minutes for the police officer

I took a Police Academy Course provided by our Lehigh Co. D.A. We learned if you own a Honda it WILL BE STOLEN OR STRIPPED AT LEAST ONCE WHILE YOU OWN IT.

There is now a Dominican Gang using machetes on Allentown Streets to rob people in Allentown. Both Philadelphia and Reading have had attacks on citizens with machetes as well.

Allentown is a landfill of crime, gangs, drugs and criminals. If you can drive around it but do not drive here unless you keep your living will on your flash drive. Read Less

Allentown, PA - The Green Revolution 4 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 10, 2010) I have only visited the city of Allentown, once. Still, I have fond memories of this beautiful city which kept on impressing me, everyday that I stayed there. My visit to Allentown was part of a training session at the imposing Muhlenberg College. As the class ended at 5 o' clock ...Read More in the evening, I had plenty of time to drive around the city and explore the attractions.

Apart from a couple of shabby neighborhoods, Allentown is perhaps the cleanest large city in entire Pennsylvania. There are so many tree lined streets with either Victorian or Federal rowhomes that you cannot resist the temptation of permanently moving to Allentown. As fate would have it, I almost got a job at Allentown but rejected it on the basis of extensive travel.

Yet, I still remember the distinct taste of local favorites. Lebanon Bologna and Birch Beer, were some of the foods I tasted during an informal cooking session at a food show. For gourmet food lovers, there are few better places than Allentown. In fact, there are so many ethnic restaurants in Allentown which provide dishes that I am sure it would take an entire lifetime to learn how to pronounce their names. I also visited WildWater Kingdom, adjacent to Dorney Park and enjoyed every second of it. If you have kids, don't forget to stop at these parks because they are probably the most popular venue, after Six Flags in New Jersey. Read Less

Compare Allentown, PA Livability

Allentown, PA

Allentown is the third-largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Located almost next to Allentown's eastern border, the city boasts a population of over 100,000 and has access to over 1/3 of the country's population within an eight-hour drive. It also contains a diverse and growing population, a thriving downtown, a growing restaurant scene, numerous stable neighborhoods, and an expanding job market.

When you hear "Allentown," you may think of Billy Joel's song, but that was actually about its neighbor, Bethlehem - Allentown has no steel mills. However, Allentown was once home to numerous manufacturing industries and retail giants. Starting in the late 20th century, Allentown and its home region, the Lehigh Valley, began to transition away from its former manufacturing base. It has since become a city of "Meds and Eds," containing three colleges (Muhlenberg, Cedar Crest, and Lehigh Carbon Community College) and four hospitals.

Allentown has seen a massive resurgence of late thanks to its Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ), a tax partnership with the government of Pennsylvania that massively reduced the costs of redevelopment. As a result, a slew of new international corporations has flocked to Allentown within the past dozen years, including ADP.

Thanks in part to the NIZ, Allentown has become the center of a growing and diverse restaurant scene. Additionally, it is the home of two AAA sports teams: The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (hockey) and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (baseball). Both stadiums are located within the city's boundaries.

Housing prices are low in the city when compared to the rest of the state, and its rental rates are also relatively reasonable for anyone with at least a middle-class income. Furthermore, the diversity within the city's housing stock provides for a rich array of options. People seeking history and authenticity can rent or buy a home in Old Allentown, where homes are legally preserved by a Historical Architectural Review Board. If you are looking for more modern living opportunities, you can rent an apartment in the new Strata Apartments. These apartments are barely a block from the PPL Center (home of the Phantoms) and contain dozens of new restaurants within walking distance, including the brand new Allentown Downtown Market.

Allentown boasts numerous positives. Its cost of living is low when compared to the rest of the country, and this is a primary driver of residents from New York and New Jersey choosing to relocate to the city. It also is the center of the thriving Lehigh Valley region, giving it access to a slew of benefits, including the main hub of the LANTA (Lehigh and Northampton Transit Authority) bus terminal.

Allentown has all of the benefits of city living, but at a scale that just about anyone can adapt to. As such, it makes for a fantastic place to live, work and place.