New Yorkers are discovering a new, much more affordable place to live, all while still being able to easily access the city.

Allentown, Pennsylvania, tucked into the state’s Lehigh Valley has seen an uptick in Big Apple residents moving there in recent months due to its big town vibes, great schools and low taxes.

‘You’re not even two hours away from New York and you’re paying less than half of New York’s taxes,’ local realtor Bob Dandi told the Daily Mail.

‘The median price of a home here is $300,000, which is going to get you a decent size three-bedroom home.’ 

It’s not much of a lifestyle shake-up either. It’s a rural town, with a historic downtown and plenty to do. Many commuters to New York City now call Allentown home.

‘Over the past few years, a lot of people have discovered the area,’ Dandi said.

‘It’s so convenient but also there is so much to do here. We have a great community. 

‘Many people here who work in New York are able to work some days remotely, making it easier to live here and work there if you only do the commute once or twice a week.’

Allentown, tucked into the state's Lehigh Valley, has seen an uptick in Big Apple residents who have moved there in recent months

Allentown, tucked into the state’s Lehigh Valley, has seen an uptick in Big Apple residents who have moved there in recent months

Allentown is a rural town with a historic downtown and plenty to do

Allentown is a rural town with a historic downtown and plenty to do

Local realtor Bob Dandi

Local realtor Bob Dandi

‘It’s an easy drive to New Jersey train stations and there’s a direct bus to Port Authority from Allentown.

‘Now the buses are so nice, they have nice seats and top of the line wi-fi, so it’s a relaxing, enjoyable commute.’

There are high-end homes in the area too, Dandi said, and in 2021 an incredible ‘all inclusive’ mansion hit the market for $7.5 million, which came with its own French bistro, movie theatre, wine shop, arcade, and ballroom.

Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley is home to a triangle of towns that overlap each other; Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. They all have their own unique food scenes, art museums and sports arenas.

Priced out of New York state suburbs due to low inventory and high taxes, it wasn’t a stretch to find a similar vibe sitting between New York City and Philadelphia.

Allentown offers space, affordability, and according to the town’s official tourism site, it’s a city packed with ‘thrills, culture, sports, and events.’

Allentown’s restaurants are fit for everyone, and most are affordable.

‘Everything is more affordable in Allentown and in Lehigh Valley,’ Dandi said. ‘You’re getting culture and diversity but you don’t have to pay New York prices.’

Allentown is an easy drive to Philadelphia (pictured), which is 50 miles away. There's also a direct bus to Port Authority from Allentown

Allentown is an easy drive to Philadelphia (pictured), which is 50 miles away. There’s also a direct bus to Port Authority from Allentown

The area is also home to Bethlehem Steel (its office seen here) which was once one of the world's largest steel-producing facilities

The area is also home to Bethlehem Steel (its office seen here) which was once one of the world’s largest steel-producing facilities

For car enthusiasts, America on Wheels is a local museum that shows the history and makes of Mack trucks in a 23,000-square-foot space

For car enthusiasts, America on Wheels is a local museum that shows the history and makes of Mack trucks in a 23,000-square-foot space

There's a free-admission downtown museum, the Allentown Art Museum, filled with 17,000 works of art

There’s a free-admission downtown museum, the Allentown Art Museum, filled with 17,000 works of art

There are two popular amusement parks in the area, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.

Dorney Park has eight rollercoasters, including Steel Force, the eighth-longest steel roller coaster in the world and the second-longest on the East coast in the US.

There’s a free-admission downtown museum, the Allentown Art Museum, filled with 17,000 works of art, including Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Young Woman, which greets visitors upon arrival. 

The area is also home to Bethlehem Steel, once one of the world’s largest steel-producing facilities. After its closure the area fell into decline, as told in Billy Joel’s song Allentown.

Steel is a huge reminder of the town’s history. SteelStacks is a 10-acre complex that features concerts, movies, food, comedy, and rentals for weddings. 

They host over 1,000 concerts a year on various stages.

Right next door to SteelStacks is Windcreek Resort, which features a casino, spa, numerous restaurants, bars, event spaces and an outlet shopping center.

The Allentown Farmers Market, serves freshly baked breads, aged cheeses, hand-stuffed olives, infused olive oils, and international specialties from Eastern European pierogies to Korean bibimbap.

Allentown has a thriving downtown filled with theaters, museums, a diverse restaurant scene and shops

Allentown has a thriving downtown filled with theaters, museums, a diverse restaurant scene and shops

Allentown is close to New York City and Philadelphia (Pictured: West Chester, Pennsylvania)

Allentown is close to New York City and Philadelphia (Pictured: West Chester, Pennsylvania)  

Coca-Cola Park is home to the IronPigs baseball team, popular with locals who love attending home games

Coca-Cola Park is home to the IronPigs baseball team, popular with locals who love attending home games

Residents love the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix, where high-speed indoor go-karts zip around a track at nearly 45 mph.

For those who want sports and shows, there’s no need to travel to New York.

There’s the Allentown Arts Walk which connects the Art Museum, Miller Symphony Hall, and the PPL Center, an 8,500-seat indoor sports arena which hosts concerts and events.

Coca-Cola Park is home to the IronPigs baseball team.

‘A lot to do and you can still easily park the car,’ Dandi said.

For car enthusiasts, America on Wheels is a local museum that shows the history and makes of Mack trucks and vintage cars in a 23,000-square-foot space. 

There are over 75 vehicles and hundreds of engineering diagrams on display.

The holidays are also a big deal in Allentown. The ArtsQuest Center holds a locally beloved holiday market, with local artists and restaurants selling art and food.

The Allentown Farmers Market, serves freshly baked breads, aged cheeses, hand-stuffed olives and more

The Allentown Farmers Market, serves freshly baked breads, aged cheeses, hand-stuffed olives and more

America on Wheels Museum showcases the evolution of the automobile in America, including the first car built in the country

America on Wheels Museum showcases the evolution of the automobile in America, including the first car built in the country

Coca-Cola Park puts on festive light shows with holiday music that residents attend and locals hit the Winter Light Spectacular at the nearby zoo, where there is donut and art making.

Allentown has a rich history within the US. 

During the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777, the Pennsylvania government ordered that the Liberty Bell be removed from the city to prevent the British from melting it down to make weaponry. 

It was secreted away by soldiers and taken to Allentown on a hay wagon to Zion Reformed Church, where it was hidden under the church floor.

‘You really get everything here,’ Dandi said. Â