Bethlehem, PA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Bethlehem is a city located in the Lehigh and Northampton County, Pennsylvania. This quaint city is ideal for retirees who enjoy the East Coast weather without the hassle of a larger city. The city’s rich culture offers many museums and landmarks to visit. 

Climate & Geography

Bethlehem has a humid contintenal climate with hot and humid summers and cold winters. The average annual high temperature is in the mid 60s and the average annual low temperature is in the high 40s. The average annual precipitation is about 40 inches of rainfall. 

Bethlehem is the second most populous city within the Lehigh Valley. Philadelphia is about 50 miles from Bethlehem. The Delaware River runs through the city. The water source is stored in the Pocono Mountains. 

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment

Bethlehem is very rich in culture with museums and landmarks such as the National Museum of Industrial History, Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, and Heritage Trail. During the summer months, active adults walk and bike through the parks. The city hosts holiday and seasonal festivals all year. There are also casinos and breweries throughout the city. 

Nearby Allentown, with additional shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation, is a half-hour away.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The median home cost is below the national average. 

Pennsylvania is very tax friendly towards retirees. Social Security benefits and eligible Pennsylvania public and private pensions are not taxed. Retirement income is not taxed after the age of 59 1/2. Homeowners and renters 65 or older are eligible for rebates of paid property tax or rent. 

Health Care

The Allentown metro area ranks in the top 100 communities on Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

There are four medical centers and hospitals in Bethlehem. They are St. Luke’s University Hospital-Bethlehem Campus, Coordinated Health-Bethlehem, Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital, and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. St. Luke’s University Hospital-Bethlehem Campus is regionally ranked and ranked high performing by U.S. News in three adult specialties and nine adult procedures/conditions. Coordinated Health-Bethlehem is ranked high performing in knee replacement. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg is ranked high performing in orthopedics, urology, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure.