p_britt35 t1_jau45i7 wrote on March 4, 2023 at 2:09 AM

I lived downtown Allentown in a Strata apartment building for two years. DO NOT live in Allentown or anywhere within the city limits. The crime is out of control. While living there, we had a bombing three blocks away. My friend that lives downtown just had two gunshots go through her apartment walls a few weeks ago. That was an officer involved shooting where the shooter was killed. You can easily research both these cases, as well as check out the daily crime report. These are crimes happening in the alleged nicest part of Allentown.

I strongly suggest you consider Bethlehem, which is much safer and overall nicer. The Southside is up and coming, as well as adjacent to Lehigh University.

emk544 t1_jauklni wrote on March 4, 2023 at 4:30 AM

I’d love to know who told you that is the nicest part of Allentown…that is rich. Downtown Allentown is well-known to not be nice. The nicest parts are out west. I’m sorry to hear about your experiences. But telling someone to avoid living within Allentown city limits because of crime is bad advice. These problems are all downtown within like a 6 block circle.

p_britt35 t1_jaul0mb wrote on March 4, 2023 at 4:34 AM

Read the last sentence of the first paragraph and notice the word alleged is used. The radius is much more than six blocks. I'll stand by my suggestion of Bethlehem.

p_britt35 t1_jau4gde wrote on March 4, 2023 at 2:11 AM

Oh....and Bethlehem is only 15-20 minutes from Allentown.

NotNowDamo t1_jau8gvg wrote on March 4, 2023 at 2:44 AM

I never had an issue with crime when I lived in Allentown, but the homeless were a problem as well as litter everywhere.

Also, no parking.

p_britt35 t1_jau939d wrote on March 4, 2023 at 2:49 AM

I lived in downtown Allentown, at 6th and Hamilton, from 2018 to 2020. Crime was an issue. The 7/11 is a known drug dealing spot, as is the bus station. I agree that there are a lot of homeless people, too. To me, if I had gunshots coming through my downtown "luxury" apartment wall a couple weeks ago, that'd tell me there's a crime problem.

p_britt35 t1_jau9b8r wrote on March 4, 2023 at 2:51 AM

The homeless doping up in the Arts Park isn't cool either. I've seen people sitting on the brick walls and nodding off at all hours.

DisplayNo146 t1_jaueljd wrote on March 4, 2023 at 3:36 AM

Yeap all of us giving Bethlehem a thumbs up. I lived in center city years ago and crime was apparent but seems to be spreading now.