SACRAMENTO,CA VS ALLENTOWN,PA
 

Ok Need some serious help here! Which place is better to raise a family? I want a neighborhood that is family-oriented. Where neighbors are friendly, not fake. Which has a better education for children. Does anyone know of any neighborhoods in Allentown where the entire neighborhood decorates for Christmas.Such as what one would call, Christmas lane. Thought this would be fun for kids. Which is a better way of life? East or West Coast. HELP!!!!! Also of importance is to be around people that are genuine.

Sorry, Already done that!! That's why I would rather here from real people!

Sacramento is better.

I'm wondering what the odds are that you'll find someone who has lived for a considerable time in both cities, to give you a true opinion.

As other posters have suggested, your questions are too nebulous to give a proper answer to.

Metro Sacramento has over 2 million people. It has high-dollar neighborhoods, ghettos, working-class neighborhoods... in short, every possible variation of lifestyle. It would take a scholar writing a doctoral dissertation to answer such a generalized question as you pose.

I'm sure that both Sacramento and Allentown have every sort of neighborhood that exists, from singles to retirees to families to drug-infested slums.

Friendly and fake are not oppisites... people can be both friendly and fake. And whether or not you think people are genuine, whatever that means, is just a personal opinion... not an objective condition that everybody can agree on.

I think you need to think more about your own requirements and wants before you make your decision. Then do some research on the objective criteria of whatever cities interest you.

But only one of those two towns has a Billy Joel song named after it...

Perhaps you can explain what it is drawing you to Allentown? I'm probably one of the few people on this board whose been to both places, but I haven't lived in either for any extended amount of time.

Most people only raise one family during their lifetimes. Some of them have done it in Sacramento, and others did it in Allentown.

The people who can best give an opinion as to which city is best to raise a family... are those who have raised two families... one in Allentown and another in Sacramento. Some may think Sacramento is better, but are unable to explain how or why. And some may choose Allentown, mostly because Aunt Bessie or Granpa Jake was there to help.

And none of this means anything to you.

I would not have any qualms about raising kids in Sacramento. It is a large enough city that there are plenty of things to do, but at the same time it retains a relaxed atmosphere. Sacramento in general is very family-friendly - lots of youth sports teams and other activities, plenty of neighborhoods with quiet streets and large yards with kids outside playing, and so on. And it is close enough for all sorts of great day and weekend trips.

There are some great old neighborhoods in Sacramento proper. There are also many established neighborhoods that are not as old, but still nice. Large trees lining the streets, well-kept homes and yards. Just very comfortable. There are also a lot of new neighborhoods in the outlying areas. And of course, like any city, there are run-down areas, as mentioned already. Those areas are pretty easy to avoid though.

Talking about Christmas lights - there are some terrific streets in Sacramento where people really go all out. The type of places where cars line up to drive past. When we are up at Christmas visiting family, driving around to see the lights is a favorite activity.

As far as people go, there doesn't seem to be a lot of pretention (is that the right word?) in Sacramento. People are pretty genuine. I think part of the reason is that the type of city that Sacramento is doesn't attract much snobbery or things of that nature. It isn't a prestigious city and it isn't a see and be seen sort of place, although I think you do get some of the keeping-up-with-the-jones that you see everywhere. I have seen this more in the newer developments than in the established neighborhoods though.

As far as schools go, I don't have any personal experience with them, but my family members who live in Sacramento seem very satisfied.

I don't know much about Allentown. I've been there a couple times, but I don't know enough about it to comment. I do have family there too, but I don't know enough about it to comment in much detail. It does seem that the economy in that area isn't the best, so that could be an issue.

If you consider weather, then Sacramento is the clear winner. No wintertime snow, but you are only an hour or hour and a half from the snow when you want it. Summers are hot, but you don't have the same humidity that you get in PA.

I grew up near Allentown. I wouldn't recommend it. The city itself has declined considerably since I was growing up. Not sure their schools are highly regarded, either, but I don't live near there anymore so I am not an expert on current conditions. (I do have family and friends in the Bethlehem area).

I dont' know you can compare east v. west when comparing Allentown and Sacramento.

When I think east, I think hustle, bustle, metropolitan, urbane (because to me east coast means NYC, Phila, Boston, DC). West coast philosophy to me means more outdoorsy, less rat race. But no way is that true everywhere and I know those generalizations are not true for the 2 cities you mentioned. And not everyone thinks east v. west in the same way I do! New England is east coast and no way do small towns in Vermont and NH fit my description! Nor does LA fit into my western "view"!!

I would never consider moving anywhere without spending time there first.

Allentown?? Good Gucci! My great-aunt Jean lived on Hamilton St. most of her life. We never knew why, but she was a strange, strange bird.

I would never, ever want to live there. EVER!

What would you do for fun? Go to the Whitehall Mall and eat at Red Lobster? That is all there is, sweetie.

I didn't want to say it before, but yes, Allentown is pretty awful. I went to college in the area, graduated not too long ago, and it was a dump when I left. I don't think it's gotten any better.

Do you mean Allentown proper or the Lehigh Valley in general? Because other parts of the Lehigh Valley DO have good schools, are BOOMING economically, have beautiful houses, and are a great place to raise a family. For example, Olympus recently decided to move its U.S. headquarters to Center Valley (not far from Allentown) specifically because of the higher quality of life and better housing.

There's a WORLD of different between, say, N. 7th street in Allentown and Brookridge Estates in Center Valley.

For example, for those who say the area is a "dump" this is the kind of housing springing up in Center Valley. The local schools are excellent, with extensive advance programs, including full foreign language immersion programs.
http://www.realtor.com/FindHome/Home...mp;poe=realtor

MM, suggest you try dining at The Edge in historic Bethlehem. The Red Lobster is NOT "all there is" in the Valley. Stop clinging to an outdated image!

I've been the The Edge, and to Starfish, etc. The poster asked specifially about Allentown, so we replied in kind. If the question was about the N. Side of Bethlehem, then I would have answered more favorably. The S. side of Bethlehem, on the other hand, yikes....

Many people refer to Allentown when in fact they might be asking about the Lehigh Valley in general. The Valley is much more than just Allentown. And there are some wonderful communities with outstanding schools in the Lehigh Valley.
There is no need for the OP to focus solely on Allentown itself and none of the respondents above--in their race to see who could denigrate Allentown the most--bothered to suggest that there are communities quite nearby that are much different.

I grew up in the Lehigh Valley and parts of it are getting BETTER each time I go back. It's a disservice to the OP to portray the entire area as a moribund backwater with no place better to eat than the Red Lobster. The Edge, for example, is every bit as good as the tarted up dining spots in Manayunk.

Well, based on the lack of information provided by the OP, I would choose Sacramento.

Sorry, but I live in Manayunk, a suburb of Philly. If I take Ridge Pike to Plymouth Meeting and get on the NE Extension of the PA Turnpike, I can be in Allentown in 35 minutes. I just stopped in Allentown two weeks ago when Keith and I were on our way to our palatial ski cabin in the Poconos.

You're the one who is over in Windsor, England, BTilke. That is a lot farther to see Allentown accurately.

If you see Aunt Pat and Uncle Terry walking around Old Windsor, say "hi!"

A joke, si?
M (SMdA, Gto.)