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Quality of Life in the Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley is the third largest metropolitan center
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its three cities are Allentown,
Bethlehem and Easton, which are surrounded by numerous smaller communities.
The Lehigh Valley is adjacent to the Delaware River at Interstate Route 78, offering
less than a two-hour drive from both New York City and Philadelphia, and a
comparatively short commute to anywhere in the Lehigh Valley.
The area’s population grew by more than four percent from the year
2000 to 2004 to about 771,000 people, making it the third largest
metropolitan area in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Lehigh Valley’s
growth rate is the highest in Pennsylvania and the third highest in the
Northeast metropolitan regions.
Still, the Lehigh Valley, consisting of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, has
the “small-town” feel and a high quality of life valued by its citizens. Its
relatively low cost of housing and property taxes has attracted many
out-of-state residents who seek a less stressful and less expensive way of
life. The Lehigh Valley is proud to be home to several acclaimed
colleges and universities such as DeSales University, Lafayette College,
Lehigh University, two community colleges and
post-secondary institutions. Nationally recognized
medical centers such as
Lehigh Valley Hospital
and
St. Luke's Hospital
also serve the region. There are bountiful
arts, entertainment and recreational venues throughout the Valley to
please one and all. These and many more attributes are the reasons the Lehigh
Valley has been recognized as a 4-Star Quality of Life Community by
Expansion Management Magazine (Source: 2006 Quality of Life QuotientTM,
Expansion Management).
Corporate headquarters offices in the Lehigh Valley include
Mack Trucks,
Inc.,
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.,
Agere Systems, Inc.,
Olympus, USA.,
Binney & Smith,
PPL Corp.,
Rodale Inc.,
C.F. Martin & Co., Inc.,
Victaulic Company of America
and
Just Born, Inc.
| Lehigh
Valley Advantages |
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- Offers
all of the amenities of major urban areas without the congestion
and high cost of living
- Located
midway between Philadelphia and New York City and in close proximity
to the Pocono Mountains and New Jersey
- Average
commute to work is less than 25 minutes
- Affordable
housing
- Advanced
medical facilities
- Low school
and property taxes
- An
outstanding array of colleges, universities, and vocational
schools
- Extensive
recreational park system of over 25,000 acres
- Moderate
climate
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A wealth of information on the lifestyle and amenities of the
Lehigh Valley can be found on the following websites regarding
housing, education, healthcare, arts, entertainment and cultural and
seasonal events:
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Lehigh Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau
Cities of
Allentown,
Bethlehem and
Easton
Counties of
Lehigh and
Northampton
Visit Pa.com
Partnerships are a key factor to the dynamic business environment in the
Lehigh Valley, and provide opportunities for growth and success by offering
a wide range of business resources to the community. The following websites
connect those businesses in need with the solutions necessary to succeed and
thrive:
Ben
Franklin Technology Center
Economic
Development Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
Governor's Website
Lehigh
Valley Planning Commission
Manufacturers Resource Center
Pennsylvania Career Link
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Workforce
Investment Board
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