U.S. News and World Report tells us that Allentown is the fifth best place to retire in the United States. Expect local real estate to explode as herds of gray haired migrate from Florida and Arizona to the Strata complexes in culturally rich center city.
Local political genius County Executive Phillips Armstrong cited our metrics, like transportation. Expect to see more cappuccino and croissants at the Lanta Detention Center.
I can only hope that the magazine's news is more accurate than their retirement recommendations. However, if you disagree with me and find their retirement survey valid, there is great news. The best rated place in the country to retire isn't far away, Harrisburg! Please take Phil Armstrong with you.
It looks almost like Kensington on 7th with that depiction of the couple under the one way sign. Just to the right of that on 7th at night it is Kensington with the homeless sleeping in the doorways of three of the buildings.
ReplyDeleteMike, I as well scratch my head at these reports. I can only assume when they say, "Allentown" they mean the Allentown zip code designation that includes the well run suburbs that circle the city.
ReplyDeleteIf prospective in-coming retirees are into hookah, vaping, CBD & other smoke shop products, they will indeed love central Allentown. Along the perimeter of the NIZ there must be 40 of these stores. You can smell the pot stogies being smoked in cars 24/7. In fact, a retiree will know where the NIZ ends simply by having a whiff of the air.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness I might have assigned the staff photographer to a more upscale locale, however, this is a blog, not a Chamber of Commerce promotion, or Morning Call article pumping the NIZ.
ReplyDeleteLike Mr. Armstrong, I too scratched my head when I read this from USN&WR. It just didn't make sense. Having lived in downtown Allentown, when it was a viable downtown with banks, shops, offices, and 3 department stores, I know it is not senior friendly now in any way. You can take your kids to a hockey game and drive in, park, and drive out without encountering real Allentown, but that's about it. Restaurants are a big walk from parking, the shops are not really places to linger. There is no compelling reason to be downtown. Tax-wise Allentown is not senior-friendly. Older folks can easily live in the suburbs, but prices in the 55+ communities begin at about $500,000. to $700,000. There are no condo developments for seniors, outside of those that offer specific levels of care. I really think this is why people move south. I'm looking at Ashville. However, that all being said, I do think seniors have great healthcare opportunities between St. Luke's and LVHN, soon to be Jefferson.
ReplyDeleteI'm 74. After graduating from Penn State in 1971, I left Allentown only to return for family deaths. Last time was 2002. It looked worse with each visit. Had I stayed in Allentown I would never had the professional success that was available in other cities. I can't imagine anyone wanting to retire in Allentown.
ReplyDeleteI think local empty nesters in retirement might do well to consider moving to the few remaining viable neighborhoods of Union Terrace, Hamilton Park and West End. They could cash in on the massive amounts of equity earned on their larger lot suburban homes to buy a smaller home on a smaller lot with minimal maintenance needs for a much lower price in attractive
Deleteand friendly neighborhoods that have safe sidewalks and are near parks, medical offices/hospitals, transit stations, colleges, restaurants shops and specialty retail (i.e Fairgrounds Farmers Market). It actually would make a lot of sense.
It’s not entirely wrong. Maybe you’re looking in the wrong neighborhoods. Look at this gorgeous west end home that went up for sale this week - it sold within 24 hours. There are so many more gems just like this home; there are also beautiful twins and row homes too - all within Allentown city limits. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2702-W-Greenleaf-St-Allentown-PA-18104/2053079445_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare
ReplyDeleteThey don't mean Allentown Center City that's for damn sure there's a lot of nice places in Allentown. But needless to say I moved to Bethlehem.
ReplyDeleteBoth Allentown and Pennsylvania do not tax retirement income. I’m sure that is part of the equation.
ReplyDeleteDon't give them any ideas! As it stands, we get our socks taxed off and very little of the "services" we are supposedly paying our hard earned tax money that's stolen from us. I wouldn't consider it theft if we got a few bangs for our collective bucks...
ReplyDeleteI'm retired in this town and can't wait to leave.
It's nice to hear from a couple of local realtors above. lol
ReplyDelete