The Lehigh Valley scored well in the latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report, coming in as the ninth-best metro area for retirement among the top 150 regions in the country.
Here’s what the report said about the region:
“Much of the charm in Pennsylvania's third-largest metro area comes from its vast collection of historic homes and buildings, commercial structures, and century-old industrial buildings. Architects have modernized and converted many closed mills and manufacturing buildings into apartments and lofts.
Several districts constitute Allentown proper, each with a unique identity and flair. The Seventh Street business district features neighborhood living and local restaurants and retail establishments. The West End Theatre District includes the Civic Theatre of Allentown, several popular restaurants, local retailers, and a pedestrian-only ArtsWalk that leads to the Allentown Art Museum and Baum School of Art. Business is booming in the Hamilton Street business district, home of the PPL Center, where the Philadelphia Flyers hockey farm team, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, plays. 
Nestled within the Lehigh Valley, with the Blue Mountain range to the north and South Mountain to the southwest, Allentown offers hikers and skiers access to great trails and snow. Residents can drive to New York City or Philadelphia in roughly two hours. Allentown's convenient location, commitment to healthy living, and celebration of the arts make it a great place for active folks to live.”
The region ranked as the 23rd safest place to live.
This is the second publication to highlight the Lehigh Valley recently.
Bethlehem ranked second on Reader’s Digest’s “15 Most Underrated American Cities Worth a Visit.”
The magazine suggested vacationers “skip the throngs of tourists this summer and head to a lesser-known destination to experience incredible food, one-of-a-kind hotels, eclectic festivals, and more.”
For those considering a visit to Pennsylvania, the article suggested that “instead of Philadelphia, try Bethlehem.”