Family Resource Guide for New Postdocs

Table of Contents

• Getting Started: Moving to Lehigh Valley
• Housing and Neighborhoods
• Setting Up: Banking, ID, and Transportation
• Understanding Schools in Lehigh Valley
• Childcare and Preschool Options
• Activities for Families with Children
• Dance and Fitness for Adults and Families
• Additional Resources

Getting Started: Moving to Lehigh Valley

Temporary Housing

• Comfort Suites Bethlehem Near Lehigh University
• Airbnb Bethlehem Listings

Renting

• Explore Lehigh's Housing Resources
• Use Apartments.com or Zillow for rental listings (there are many others!)
• Apply online and schedule apartment visits early
• Be prepared for a background check—especially important for international arrivals
• Read lease contracts thoroughly
• This spreadsheet is compiled by Lehigh staff and lists places that our postdocs and graduate students have rented from.  It's a good idea to call or email them, because sometimes they have places that are not on the website.  
• The Lehigh Real Estate Office has the following resources for finding housing. Please contact Cathy Albertson (cma316@lehigh.edu) for additional information.
  • LU Faculty, Staff and Graduate Student Rental Housing
  • Affiliate Housing with Brinker Lofts or Southside Commons
     

Tips

• Say yes to invitations and ask for help—it helps build your community
• Expect to drive—public transit is limited
• Join Facebook groups for local parenting, housing, and community tips
• Student Affairs has the following helpful links for knowing renter's rights in PA:
  • Legal resources for tenants
  • Off-campus housing tips

Moving Expenses

Does your contract cover moving expenses?  Read about how to get reimbursed or even request a moving advance. 

• Moving Expenses Advance

Housing and Neighborhoods 

Setting Up: Banking, ID, and Transportation 

• Social Security Number (SSN): Apply as soon as possible—it’s required for most financial and ID services.
• Banking: Some banks may allow account setup without SSN, but it’s more difficult.
• Build Credit: Apply for a basic credit card to start building your credit history
• Driver’s License/Real ID:
  • Apply through PennDOT
  • If you’re a new driver, enroll in a local driving school
• Transportation:
  • Ride shares: Uber and Lyft
  • LANTA Public buses: Free with Lehigh ID

Understanding Schools in Lehigh Valley

Structure of the U.S. School System

• Preschool: Ages 3–5
• Elementary: Kindergarten–Grade 5
• Middle School: Grades 6–8
• High School: Grades 9–12

Public Schools

Public school enrollment is based on where you live within each school district’s boundaries. Kindergarten age cutoffs are typically that the child must be 5 years old by around September 30 or October 1, but exact dates can vary slightly by district. Proof of residency, age, and immunization records are standard requirements for registration throughout the region.  Free, and generally high-quality in many areas.

Charter Schools (tuition-free, lottery-based)
A charter school is a publicly funded, tuition-free school that operates independently from the traditional public school system. It's granted a "charter" or contract by a state or local agency, which gives it more flexibility in areas like curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for accountability for student performance.  Most charter schools are open to all students and have no selective enrollment requirements. They may use a lottery system if they have more applicants than available seats. A few examples are:

• Lehigh Valley Academy (Bethlehem): K–12, IB World School
• Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Bethlehem): 9–12, arts-focused high school
• Seven Generations (Emmaus): K–6, environmental & project-based
• Circle of Seasons (Fogelsville): K–8, Waldorf-inspired

Private Schools (tuition-based)
Here are a few examples of private schools in the area, incuding religious and independent schools:

• Moravian Academy (Bethlehem & Allentown, Preschool–12, independent college-prep)
• Notre Dame High School (Easton, Grades 9–12)
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (Bethlehem, Preschool–Grade 8)
• Saint Anne School (Bethlehem Preschool–Grade 8)
• Holy Family School (Nazareth, Grades K–8)
• Cathedral School of St. Catharine of Siena (Allentown, Grades K-8)
• Lehigh Christian Academy (Allentown, Grades Preschool-12)
• Bethlehem Christian School (Bethlehem, Grades K–12)
• Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Grades Preschool-8)
• The Hillside School (Macungie, Grades K-8, for students with learning differences)
   

Childcare and Preschool Options 

Lehigh's faculty and staff have access to convenient child care through its Bright Horizons facility.

Through Lehigh's benefits program, the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) offers reimbursement for the costs of:

• Caring for covered dependent children under the age of 13
• Caring for other dependents who cannot be left alone while the employee and/or spouse is working or attending school full time. 
   

Here are a few child care options around the Lehigh Valley:

• Active Learning Centers – Preschool and before/after school care
• Valley Montessori School – Bethlehem
• YMCA centers throughout the Lehigh Valley
• Church-affiliated preschools (available at many local churches)

Activities for Families with Children

This is just a small sampling of the activities nearby.  Ask your colleagues for recommendations!

Local Spots

• Da Vinci Science Center
• Allentown Art Museum – free admission
• Trexler Nature Preserve
• Jacobsburg Environmental Center
• SteelStacks Events
• Lehigh Valley Zoo
• Public parks, playgrounds, and splash pads everywhere
• Lehigh Valley Trail Rides – horseback riding
• Libraries: Most local libraries have family and toddler events
• Hugh Moore Bike Trail, D&L Trail, and many parks for running/walking
• Lehigh Valley Best Playgrounds

Groups & Classes

• Lehigh Valley with Littles (Facebook)
• Easton Mom Tribe
• La Leche League for Breastfeeding Support
• Valley Music Together
• Swimming lessons - YMCA, Goldfish School, Swim-in-Zone
• Pennsylvania Youth Theatre – theater & dance for children
• Banana Factory Arts

Activities for Adults

This is just a small sampling of the activities nearby.  Ask your colleagues for recommendations!
Gyms, Dance & Fitness Studios

All staff have access to the Taylor Gym on campus, which has a weight room & pool (free) and fitness classes (for a small fee). If you are looking for more activities, here are a few nearby suggestions:

• Lehigh Valley Salsa Social
• Steel Fitness Premier
• YMCA Bethlehem
• Yoga Loft Bethlehem
• Barre3 Bethlehem

Additional Resources