Good Afternoon!
Born and raised in Bethlehem, PA, I recently wrote a blog ALL about Bethlehem. Please review this helpful site located on a Lehigh Valley Buyer's Agent website. This blog is a break down of Parks/Recreation, About the City, Events, particular one of interest to you- Schools/Higher Education, and so much more! All the hard work is already done for you, so all that is left is for you to choose what's best for you and your family.
Hope this helps and good luck!

Scrappydoo70
Bethlehem is a great community. I have been associated with it since 1962 when I attened and graduated from Moravain College in 1966. I also taught in the district for 32 years from 1967 to 1999. I have been with Coldwel Banker Heritage since 2002 and a licensed realtor since 1986. The town has a lot to offer with a variety of restaurants, a great historical society, a town council that is for the most part agreeavle and get the work done. Town officials are pleasant and cooperative. The schools vary. From a personal view point I would tell you that the biggest problem are the administrators. They are the primary reason that I retired. The staff was great and so where the kids. But Bethlehem some of the schools have their own problems. There are also some financial problems due to playing around with refinancing via swaps. As far as the students were concerned for the most part tey were good kids but I tolerated no nonsense in my history classes and I knew my subject matter.
The community has been resilient. As you probaably know Bethlehem Steel is no longer there. The citizens could have crumbled and the town could have become a rust belt community but they rose above that. They enhanced their history, they have a variety of festivals such as Music Fest and Celtic Classil and they have a great Christmas season with lights and tours via bus, walks and carriage rides. Downtonw is just alive during the Christmas season as it is during the off season. Come to Bethlehem in the summer and you will see outdoor dining and folks on Main Street enjoying the evening with a meal at Tiki's or a cup of coffee at Wired. And to top it all off, there is the Sands Casino if you are so inclined to part with your money or win some extra funds.
Crime is here. I would suggest you call the police for accurate figures but let me say that the police force is very good. They stay on top of things and get te job done. Bethlehem's sister cities, Easton, a border town, and Allentown have a lot of crime and policing problems particularly in Allentown.
All in all I have to say that I have always enjoyed going to Bethlehem from the time I entered Moravian to today as a realtor. The folks are happy. They smile alot. They work to improve their town. You will not be sorry about moving there.

try this site it a good starting point. http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov for info.

Anthony Ramos
Centurty 21 Ramos Realty
230 E. 4th St
Bethlehem