Residents and businesses seeking locations outside densely-populated urban areas may find the perfect alternative in Lehigh Valley. A new Lehigh Valley relocation guide is available for use by local realtors, employers, and institutions.
The Made Possible in Lehigh Valley Alliance’s new 16-page guide is meant for newcomers to the region or those who are curious to learn more about why the Lehigh Valley is a great place to live, work, visit, and learn.
The guide was produced as a collaborative effort between the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), Discover Lehigh Valley, and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, before the COVID-19 quarantine was put in place.
The guide will be distributed to the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors and other regional partners, and will be a useful recruiting tool, as interest in Lehigh Valley homes is expected to be high.
According to a report by Apartment List, 44.3% of users searching for an apartment in Lehigh Valley were searching from outside major metropolitan areas, which is the 24th highest rate among the nation’s largest 100 regions.
“With real estate reopen in Pennsylvania, we anticipate the local housing market to rebound rather quickly,” said Justin Porembo, CEO of Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors. “For a market that was low on inventory prior to the pandemic, we’re already seeing that repressed demand is equating to a wave of showings. Sales won’t be lost. They’ll just be shifted.”
View the Lehigh Valley Relocation Guide
The guide provides an overview of Lehigh Valley for newcomers to the region, as well as those curious to learn more about what makes it such a special place. It is an updated version of an eight-page guide originally released in August. For more information, contact Mike Keller, Marketing Manager for Made Possible in Lehigh Valley, at mkeller@lehighvalley.org. View the partner toolkit here to learn how you can use these tools and more in your marketing.
“In the pages ahead, we offer a look at the region through the eyes of locals who call Lehigh Valley home,” the guide’s introduction reads. “Explore opportunities for living, working, and learning in this land of makers and dreamers, fueled by heritage and tradition that build strong, thriving communities.”
Keller said the guide is being provided free of cost to Lehigh Valley employers, educational institutions, real estate agents, and others, encouraging them to use this as a tool to tell visitors more about our region. Links to the digital version can also be embedded directly on websites.
“The pandemic has changed some aspects of our economy for now, but attracting talented individuals to the region remains important,” said LVEDC President & CEO Don Cunningham. “Part of that means giving them the information they need to understand why Lehigh Valley is a great place for them to live and make a life for themselves and their families.”
The guide includes Lehigh Valley business and economic data, information about the region’s colleges and universities and world-class health care providers, and an overview of recreational amenities like music festivals, trails and outdoor activities, and sports teams.
“Marketing Lehigh Valley’s natural beauty and cultural assets is part of the appeal for those considering a relocation to the area,” said Discover Lehigh Valley President & CEO Alex Michaels. “It’s the quality of life component that supports our talent recruitment, and we’re proud to help provide a piece that stories living, working, learning, and visiting this great region.”
The Made Possible in Lehigh Valley campaign seeks to position the region as a diverse and desirable community to visit, work, learn, and live. It also seeks to enhance talent attraction and retention efforts for our region’s employers, and increase opportunities for professionals within the region to connect with others.
“It’s the job of the Alliance to ensure that the rest of the world knows what is made possible in Lehigh Valley. This guide is part of that effort. Lehigh Valley businesses will need any and all additional support as things return to normal, and this is one way to bring additional attention to the businesses that make up the lifeblood of our community.” said Chamber President & CEO Tony Iannelli.
Throughout the guide are testimonials from individuals living in the Lehigh Valley, from life-long residents to those who have relocated here and started a new life. Those stories can be found on the Made Possible in Lehigh Valley website as well.
The guide also features Lehigh Valley amenities like the Easton Farmers’ Market, Historic Moravian Bethlehem, Allentown Art Museum, and some of the nationally-renowned brands made in Lehigh Valley, such as Crayola, Mack Trucks, Martin Guitar, and Just Born.