Lehigh and Bethlehem PA area questions

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

I was just accepted into graduate school at Lehigh University. Outside of the school being very prestigious in my program and the little bit of campus I got to see during my interview, I don't know much about the area. Any one have any impressions of the school and area in general? I know graduate school will be very demanding but it would be nice to know there is something to do in my free time being that it is 7 hours away from my family.

[Lathum]

In general it is a nice area. I lived in Quakertown for a few years which is about 10 minutes away.

The city of Bethlehem isn't that great but Allentown is close by and there is stuff to do there. You are also only about 45 minutes from Philadelphia and about 1.5 hours from NYC.

I'm not really familiar with the campus itself but there are plenty of bars, etc... in the area if that if your thing. There is also a decent amount of skiing and outdoor activities in the area.

If you list some of the things you are interested in I can probably tell you a little more detail about what you are looking for.

[Buccaneer]

Congratulations. What program?

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

School Psychology, I guess I'm interested in shopping/ dining areas, sporting events which I guess I will have to venture to Philly to see, concerts, etc...

[Qwikshot]

Watch out in Allentown, can be dangerous. Bethlehem isn't so bad, I frequent the Tally-Ho and McGrady's often. My two fraternity brothers live right up the street. It will get a little crazier in Bethlehem when the casino gets up to speed. I live in Hellertown which is a 2 minute drive from Bethlehem proper. Parts of Allentown and Bethlehem aren't bad, and you are only a drive from NYC or Philly. Most of the college scene isn't bad (I had a couple of high school classmates go to Lehigh), my brother (real one) went to Moravian but they have their own spheres. Of course, there is Celticfest and Musicfest (which happens in the summer) and a few other festivals that frequent the area. All in all, it's an area with growth and things to do.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Should I just go with graduate housing $560 1 bedroom apt. close to campus or are there affordable nice places to live in the area.

[Qwikshot]

Should I just go with graduate housing $560 1 bedroom apt. close to campus or are there affordable nice places to live in the area.

That I guess would be up to you. The area around Lehigh U is pretty nice, but I'm guessing the cheap stuff would be at the bottom of the hill that Lehigh sits on, which means hiking, driving or busing to the class.

[Lathum]

Another person to ask is Saldana. He lives right by there and is familiar with the area.

Also the greatest bar in the world is in Hellertown. Casey's. I miss that place.

[Bonegavel]

I live in Allentown (west, not center city - which is the bad part Qwik is referring to) and work in Bethelehm.

Parking for Tally-Ho and McGrady's is a super bitch but if you live close and can walk, they are worth it (I prefer McGrady's).

Hop on 22 and you can hit the Lehigh Valley mall in a few minutes. That's in whitehall (where I grew up) and there is tons of crap there.

I don't know much about Bethlehem, but the area is getting more and more crowded with all the NY'ers moving in. :D Saucon Valley is a nice area.

Lehigh is where everyone wants to go (if only they could afford it) and the area is somewhere you would only want to live if you were going to Lehigh and didn't want to live in a dorm.

[Bonegavel]

Oh, congrats on being accepted. Lehigh is a great school and will look great on the resume.

[Lathum]

Do people still go to Croc Rock in Allentown?

[saldana]

congrats...thats a great school

south side bethlehem is mostly low income housing and about 98% hispanic population...as far as stuff to do, bonegavel mentioned one of the two best bars in town (mcgradys)...i have been there tons of times when it is packed wall to wall with college kids

there is also the bethlehem brewworks (brewpub) in the historic part of town

there are always some cool things going on in the area...Musicfest is every august and always has some pretty big headliners, the allentown fair usually has a big name performer (this year is toby keith i think)

starting this year the Phillies AAA team is playing in Allentown..tickets are about 9 bucks i think

you are also only an hour from Philly and an hour and a half from new york

there are a couple really good restaurants in the historic district, as well as a lot of boutique type shops.

the lehigh valley mall is only 15 minutes away (decent size...just got a huge expansion added on), and there are a couple smaller malls...about 10 minutes in a different direction are the Promenade shops, sort of like a little cobblestone village of stores, some are little unique places, others are chain stores.

when are you coming out?

[saldana]

dola, if you like basketball, the Valley Dawgs (ABA) play at Stabler arena (which is the Lehigh arena) and there is a lower tier arena football team that plays there too.

also, the eagles have training camp at Lehigh every summer

[Izulde]

Congratulations on getting accepted! :)

Sorry I can't contribute to the discussion of the area, though.

[saldana]

Do people still go to Croc Rock in Allentown?

i think it closed

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Thanks guys, If I accept Ill be starting in August. I'm still waiting to hear from Columbia and Ohio State may make things interesting by offering me a fellowship. Which will be tough because even though Lehigh has offered full funding and stipend, I'm more familiar with the Columbus area. On the other hand Lehigh has the second ranked program in the country...Choices, choices...

[Izulde]

FWIW, ranking doesn't matter nearly so much as the content in the program relative to your interests, but that's just me :)

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Oh I agree they really impressed me during the interview, the Ohio State information/interview day is coming up

[Terps]

i think it closed

Croc Rock is still open. Banana Joe's is the one that closed down after the shooting there.

Starter's Riverport is probably the best sports bar in the area. Huge place, 3 or 4 ~100 inch screens on the walls, plus tons of LCD TV's. They have great food also. Plus, Steel Fitness is part of the building and that's one of the best gyms around the area also.

[Lathum]

There is also the OTB if that is your kind of thing.

[saldana]

Croc Rock is still open. Banana Joe's is the one that closed down after the shooting there.

Starter's Riverport is probably the best sports bar in the area. Huge place, 3 or 4 ~100 inch screens on the walls, plus tons of LCD TV's. They have great food also. Plus, Steel Fitness is part of the building and that's one of the best gyms around the area also.

you are correct...i looked into this after i posted it...it is actually open under new owners and from what i hear is a lot different of a place than it was when lathum was stalking 22 year olds there

[Eaglesfan27]

Congratulations on the acceptances.

[Lathum]

you are correct...i looked into this after i posted it...it is actually open under new owners and from what i hear is a lot different of a place than it was when lathum was stalking 22 year olds there

you say that as if it was a bad thing