Welcome to the Lehigh Valley

For people moving here to join Eli Lilly or Chobani — two of the largest employers about to land in Upper Macungie Township, and the two reasons hundreds of families are making the same move you are right now.

Eli Lilly is building a $3.5 billion injectable-medicine campus here — the largest life sciences investment in Pennsylvania history. Down the road, Chobani is converting a former plant into its first Pennsylvania dairy facility, a $1.2 billion project over five years. Together they're reshaping this corner of the Valley.

Site Locator — Upper Macungie Twp.Not to scale

$3.5B Eli Lilly injectable-medicine campus · ~850 permanent jobs

$1.2B Chobani dairy facility, over 5 years · 900+ jobs

10–25 min Typical commute from nearby communities

Where is the Lehigh Valley, exactly?

The Lehigh Valley sits in eastern Pennsylvania, anchored by three cities — Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton — plus dozens of smaller boroughs and townships in between. It's about 60–75 minutes from Philadelphia and roughly 90 minutes to two hours from New York City, depending on traffic and where you land. For anyone commuting occasionally into either metro, or just wanting weekend access to both, the location is hard to beat.

What's it like living here?

It's a nice mix: real downtowns with restaurants, breweries, and live music — Bethlehem's Musikfest is one of the largest music festivals in the country — plus farmland, parks, and the Appalachian Trail within a short drive.

Housing costs and overall cost of living tend to run noticeably lower than in North Jersey, NYC, or Philadelphia proper, which is one of the first things transplants notice on their pay-to-cost-of-living math.

Where should I look for a home near the new sites?

Both facilities are in Upper Macungie Township, on the western side of the Valley near I-78 and Route 100. The five lettered pins on the map above correspond to the communities below — each within an easy commute of both new campuses.

Macungie & Alburtis

Small-town boroughs right next to Upper Macungie, popular for walkable main streets.

Shortest commute

Fogelsville & Trexlertown

Unincorporated communities essentially adjacent to both new campuses.

Adjacent to the sites

Emmaus

A favorite for its downtown, farmers market, and strong sense of community.

~15 min drive

Allentown West End & South Whitehall

Closer to city amenities, with quick highway access to the sites.

Quick highway access

Breinigsville & Lower Macungie

Newer construction and larger family homes, a short hop from both sites.

Newer construction

The right fit really depends on whether you want walkable downtown living, more space and newer construction, or the shortest possible commute — happy to talk through the trade-offs once you know your role and start date.

How's the school situation?

The area is served by several well-regarded public school districts, including East Penn (Emmaus), Parkland, Southern Lehigh, and Allentown School District, along with private and parochial options. School district boundaries can change which town makes sense for your family, so it's worth factoring in early if you have kids.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to rent or buy when I first move?

It depends on your timeline and how certain you are about which town you want to land in. Many relocating employees rent for the first 6–12 months to get a feel for commute times and neighborhoods before buying, while others buy right away — especially if they're selling a home elsewhere and rolling equity into the purchase. There's no wrong answer; it's worth talking through your specific situation.

How far in advance should I start house hunting?

If you're buying, plan on 30–60 days once you start seriously touring homes, plus time for financing and closing — so starting your search 60–90 days before your target move date is comfortable. If you're renting, 30–45 days out is usually enough.

What's the commute like to the new Lilly and Chobani facilities?

Because both sites are near I-78 and Route 100 in Upper Macungie, most nearby communities offer commutes of 10–25 minutes. Traffic is generally light compared to major metro areas, though the I-78/Route 22 interchange can see some backups during peak hours.

Do I need a car?

Yes, in almost all cases. The Lehigh Valley is walkable within individual downtowns, but it's a car-dependent region overall, and public transit between towns is limited — LANTA operates local bus routes, but most residents drive.

What are Pennsylvania's taxes like compared to other states?

Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax rate, and many municipalities also levy a local earned income tax. Property taxes vary significantly by school district and township. If you're relocating from a state with a different tax structure, it's worth a conversation with a tax professional about your specific situation.

What's there to do around here?

More than people expect: downtown Bethlehem and Easton for dining and events, hiking and the Delaware River for outdoor recreation, wineries and breweries throughout the Valley, minor league baseball (the IronPigs), and easy weekend trips to Philadelphia, NYC, or the Poconos.

Can you help before I've even set foot in the Lehigh Valley?

Yes — this is one of the most common requests from relocating employees. I can set up a custom home search, share neighborhood comparisons, and even do a video walkthrough of listings if you can't get here in person right away.

I'm relocating for Eli Lilly or Chobani specifically — does that change anything?

Not the process, but it does help to know your work location and expected start date, since that narrows down which towns make the most sense for your commute. Feel free to mention it when you reach out — it lets me tailor recommendations right away.

Ready to start looking, or just have a question?

I'd love to help make your move to the Lehigh Valley a smooth one — a personalized neighborhood list, current listings, or just a sounding board.

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