Nazareth/Bushkill (Allentown, Bethlehem, Tatamy: how much, hotel, homes)

[dolce37]

Can anyone enlighten me about the Nazareth, Uppr Nazareth, Bushkill areas? I have heard wonderful things regarding the Nazareth school system, and would love to find a town with a functioning main street.
Nazareth itself is about as far south I can go from work, but I don't know anything about the town itself. Is it a bustling sort of town, is it very quiet, are the homes there newer or are they very old? What sort of business can one find there? Are there restaurants or coffee shops to grab a bite in?

I'm hoping to make a trip out this weekend or next, so any ideas on what to look for and where would be great. If anyone can tell me other towns in this school district it would be a great help.

Also, I am finding it very difficult to learn which towns go to which school system. Can anyone direct me to a website that clearly shows which towns go where? Even on the district sites, they don't tell you. I have researched the various districts, but finding the towns has been a challenge.

Thanks so much!

[roxbury]

There's Lower Nazareth, Upper Nazareth, Nazareth Borough and Bushkill, parts of Plainfield, Stockertown and Tatamy also go to Nazareth Schools. You can go to www.nazarethasd.k12.pa.us. That'll give you a good idea on what areas go to what school system.

I would think about moving here though. Things are not like they seem. They don't like "outsiders". I'm from Jersey and once someone finds out I'm from Jersey, they all of a sudden don't want anything to do with me. Bethlehem or Allentown might be better, but they may also have the same feelings for "outsiders". I avoid those two towns like the plague! A soon as my son is out of school here, we're gone!

I found that the school system is just like any other school system. It's just on a small scale because the system is smaller. They are growing and yes, the "outsiders" are coming in :-O! Hopefully, someone of the might be able to bring this town into the millennium! It is a quaint town, beautiful old homes, historic landmarks, lots of history, but that's about where it ends.

[plath]

I lived for twenty-two years in Nazareth and agree about the schools. I attended Holy Family and received a top-notch education in a caring environment. (I'm not advocating religious schools, though, by the way.)

There is a decent amount of money in the area, and the shops in Nazareth (on Main) are nice. Lots of lovely old homes, too. After leaving home and living in five other states/cities, I'd def. put it on the "quiet" end of things. Really, though, that entire region of PA is thriving these days...lots of people coming in from Jersey and NYC. So I think you will see more people and growth.

I can't speak to people's friendliness because I've always experienced them as nice (but then I am native, so maybe the person from Jersey has a valid point, who knows). There is a good amount of immigration in that area, historically (both my parents are children of immigrants) and I've always experienced the people as open and diverse.

And that said: I really prefer downtown Bethlehem to Nazareth, if you can handle a commute that is 15 more minutes. I went to Moravian College and just love Bethlehem--the brick streets, the shops, cafes, etc. All wonderful. And that area is getting very "up-scale"; you can smell people's money when you walk down the street!

THAT said: They did approve putting in a casino where Bethlehem Steel used to be, and who knows how that will affect (in positive but also negative ways) downtown.

Hope this helps!

[jjj]

Please don't worry if local people will except you if you are from out of town. We moved to this area about 7 years ago and what we have found is that the people original to the area are nice even if they don't feel the need to get close to you. With all the new devolepment in the area we found that alot of people aren't from this area but transplanted from other areas and they are more then willing to be social. We love Pa !

[marcelle]

plath, that is very helpful for me to know this, I will consider bethlehem, is it very urban? I've heard there are good and bad parts to it.....

[plath]

I think Bethlehem in more urban than Nazareth, but you must realize that is a question of degree! I think there's more to do in Bethlehem, and it's also the home of Music Fest in the summer and it's a Christmas City that is just *gorgeous* in the winter. I actually grew up on a farm in Nazareth, and you know after having been around a bit I still love country living and quiet but I really need the cities. Bethlehem is by no means going to have a big city feel, but it will have a small city feel.

The rule of thumb for me: Once you get over the big bridge (and pass that gaping hole where the Steel used to be) you are on the Lehigh side of things--that's where the city gets dicey. I'm not saying everything is bad, but the city shows more signs of wear over there. Here, too, I speak from experience because my immigrant grandparents -- on my father's side -- lived over there and the town gets very run-down, very quickly: lots of row homes, lots of garbage and clutter, etc.

But from the library (which is right before the bridge) up through historic Bethlehem it's very nice, and even past Moravian and up on the pike (rt 512) you will find some very nice homes and neighborhoods. You will ALSO find some older row homes in that area of downtown (off Ettwein, for example, etc.) that are slightly less appealing (aesthetics there), though I've known people who also lived on these streets and they were fine and had no problems that I know of.

When you visit, go downtown by the Hotel Bethlehem and start winding through those streets by the library -- you'll see what I mean about the nice homes, and why it's such a nice place, I am certain. Also up around Moravian College you will find nice little homes...

In the end it depends how much money you want to spend, too: Nazareth will be less expensive, though the high-end area (with the mansions, by the Adrettis, etc.) will be more expensive. In Bethlehem my feeling is that these days it's a little pricey. But you get what you pay for, too. We scored a huge 5500 sq. foot home in GA and thought we were living like kings until we realized THERE IS NOTHING TO DO HERE!!!!! I would give it all up for a small place in a nice city.

[plath]

Oh, one more thing: If you do go up 512 from Bethlehem and stay on that for about 8-10 minutes you will cross the Monocacy Creek and then you'll basically be in lower Nazareth township. That might be a nice compromise and put you in the school district but give you easy driving to Bethlehem as well. That's around where my parents live (off of Township Line Road). There are tons of new developments up off 512, in lower Nazareth, if you are looking for a newer house/development for kids, etc.

Hope this all helps! Good luck.

[Professor12]

heard some not good stuff about one of the assistant principals
little to friendly with young girls, and highschool girls
i would be careful