Remote Work Relocation Specialist
Remote Work & Work From Home
Lehigh Valley PA — why remote workers are choosing the Valley over NYC, Philly, and NJ.
Tim Tepes
Assoc Broker — Tim Tepes Real Estate LLC | PA License #AB062628L
Why Remote Workers Are Moving to the Lehigh Valley
Since 2020, thousands of remote workers have relocated from NYC, New Jersey, and Philadelphia to the Lehigh Valley — drawn by dramatically lower housing costs, fiber internet, a four-season outdoor lifestyle, and proximity to major cities for occasional in-office days. With 36+ years of experience helping relocators find the right home, Tim Tepes understands what remote workers need: reliable internet, a dedicated home office, a quiet neighborhood, and easy access to coworking spaces, coffee shops, and lifestyle amenities. He helps remote workers from across the Northeast find the perfect Lehigh Valley home — and the right community for the way they work.
Why the Lehigh Valley Is Ideal for Remote Workers
90 Min to NYC, 60 Min to Philly
The Lehigh Valley sits at the crossroads of the Northeast corridor. Drive to NYC in about 90 minutes, Philly in 60, and DC in 3 hours — perfect for occasional in-office days or client visits.
Fiber Internet Available
Many Lehigh Valley communities offer fiber-optic internet from providers like Verizon Fios, Service Electric, and PenTeleData. Speeds of 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps are available in most suburban and urban areas — more than enough for video conferencing and cloud-based workflows.
40–60% Lower Cost of Living
Housing, utilities, groceries, and taxes in the Lehigh Valley are 40–60% lower than NYC metro. A family earning $150K in Manhattan can live like they earn $250K+ in the Lehigh Valley — with more space, better schools, and a yard.
Four-Season Lifestyle
The Lehigh Valley offers all four seasons — fall foliage, winter skiing, spring blooms, and summer lake days. Outdoor recreation is available year-round with hiking, biking, skiing, fishing, and paddle sports.
Growing Coworking Scene
Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton offer a growing network of coworking spaces and shared offices — from established providers to boutique studios — giving remote workers a professional environment without a long commute.
Remote Work Lifestyle Amenities
The Lehigh Valley has evolved to support a thriving remote work culture. Here is what you will find:
Coffee Shops with WiFi
Café the Lodge
Bethlehem — co-working-friendly atmosphere with quality espresso.
The Grind Espresso Bar
Easton — quiet workspace with reliable WiFi and artisan coffee.
Johnny's Coffeehouse
Allentown — spacious seating with outlets at every table.
Coworking Spaces
Workhub Allentown
— AllentownFlexible coworking desks and private offices in downtown Allentown with meeting rooms, high-speed WiFi, and community events.
Industrious (Lehigh Valley)
— Center ValleyPremium coworking at the Promenade Shops — private offices, conference rooms, and day passes for occasional office days.
SouthSide Arts District Studios
— BethlehemCreative coworking in Bethlehem's SouthSide Arts District — near restaurants, coffee shops, and the ArtsQuest campus.
Easton CoWorking
— EastonDowntown Easton coworking with flexible terms, fiber internet, and walkable access to restaurants and the riverwalk.
Parks, Outdoor Spaces & Lifestyle
Home Office Considerations When Buying
Your home is your office — so it needs to work as both. Here are the factors Tim evaluates for every remote-worker buyer:
Dedicated Office Space
When home shopping, prioritize homes with a bonus room, finished basement, or first-floor den that can serve as a dedicated office. Open floor plans are popular, but a separate room reduces distractions during video calls.
Internet Speed Verification
Before making an offer, verify internet serviceability and available speeds at the property address. Fiber availability varies by neighborhood. Tim checks internet provider coverage for every property his remote-worker clients consider.
Noise Levels & Neighborhood Character
A quiet street, minimal traffic, and low neighborhood noise are critical for remote workers who spend most of the day on calls. Tim evaluates noise levels during property tours and knows which neighborhoods offer the quietest home-office environments.
Home Office Tax Deductions
If you work from home as a W-2 employee or self-employed, you may qualify for the home office deduction on your federal and PA taxes. Consult with a CPA about eligible expenses — dedicated space, internet, utilities, and depreciation.
Commute Options for Occasional In-Office Days
Remote doesn't mean isolated. The Lehigh Valley offers multiple ways to reach major city offices when you need to be there in person:
Drive to NYC
~90 minRoute 78 East to I-287 to NJ Turnpike. Toll costs vary. Many remote workers drive in 1–2 days per week.
Drive to Philadelphia
~60 minRoute 78 West to PA Turnpike to I-476. Reliable commute for occasional in-office days.
NJ Transit Bus from Easton
~80 min to NYCNJ Transit operates bus service from Easton's Intermodal Transit Center to NYC Port Authority — no driving, no tolls, no parking hassles.
ABE Airport (Lehigh Valley International)
20 min from most areasLehigh Valley International Airport offers direct flights to major hubs — Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, and seasonal destinations. Ideal for business travel.
Amtrak Access
30–50 min to stationsAmtrak stations in Trenton, New Brunswick, and Philadelphia provide Acela and Northeast Regional service to NYC, DC, and Boston.
Drive to DC
~3 hoursI-78 West to I-81 South to I-66. Doable for occasional meetings or client visits in the DC metro area.
Best Communities for Remote Workers
These communities offer the best combination of internet reliability, home office housing, coworking access, and lifestyle amenities for remote workers:
Bethlehem
- Fiber internet widely available
- Walkable downtown with coffee shops and coworking
- Moravian and Lehigh University cultural amenities
- Range: $280K–$500K
Easton
- Riverfront dining and recreation
- Growing coworking and arts scene
- NJ Transit bus access to NYC
- Range: $250K–$450K
Allentown
- NIZ tax incentives and revitalization
- Fiber internet in most neighborhoods
- Major retail, dining, and entertainment
- Range: $200K–$400K
Parkland
- Top-rated school district
- Quiet suburban neighborhoods
- Fiber internet available
- Range: $300K–$500K
Saucon Valley
- Upscale homes with home offices
- Country club and trail access
- Saucon Valley School District (93% graduation)
- Range: $350K–$600K
Nazareth
- Small-town feel with strong internet
- Near Martin Guitar campus
- Nazareth School District (91% graduation)
- Range: $250K–$420K
Price ranges are approximate and based on current market conditions. Tim provides personalized community recommendations based on your work style, budget, and lifestyle priorities.
Tax Implications of Remote Work in PA
Working remotely from Pennsylvania for an out-of-state employer has specific tax implications. Here is what you need to know:
PA State Income Tax
Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax on all earned income, including wages from an out-of-state employer. This is significantly lower than New York (up to 10.9%), New Jersey (up to 10.75%), or California (up to 13.3%).
Local Earned Income Tax
Some Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts impose a local earned income tax (EIT) of 0.5–1.5%. Tim confirms the local tax rate for every property his remote-worker clients consider.
Multi-State Tax Considerations
If you work remotely from PA for an employer in another state, you may owe taxes in both states — or only in PA, depending on the state. PA has reciprocal tax agreements with NJ, MD, OH, WV, IN, and DE, but not with NY or CT. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Property Tax Comparison
PA property taxes vary by school district. Average effective rates in the Lehigh Valley range from 1.5–2.5% — lower than many NJ districts (2.5–4.0%) and significantly lower than NY metro suburbs.
Consult a Tax Professional
Multi-state tax situations are complex. Tim connects remote workers with CPAs and tax advisors who specialize in remote-work and multi-state tax compliance. See Tim's PA Tax Guide for more detail.
Why Remote Workers Choose Tim Tepes
Relocating as a remote worker means finding a home that works as both a residence and a workplace. It is not just about square footage and school districts — it is about internet speed, noise levels, office space, neighborhood character, and access to the lifestyle amenities that make working from home sustainable.
With 36+ years of local experience and hundreds of relocation clients, Tim Tepes knows which neighborhoods have fiber internet, which streets are quiet enough for all-day video calls, which homes have the right layout for a dedicated office, and which communities offer the coworking, dining, and recreation that remote workers need.
Tim has helped remote workers relocate from NYC, NJ, Philadelphia, Connecticut, DC, and across the country. He provides a complete relocation service — community matching, internet verification, home office evaluation, commute planning, tax referrals, and a smooth closing process. See Tim's Relocation Hub for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from PA for a NYC or NJ employer?
Yes, many residents of the Lehigh Valley work remotely for employers based in NYC, NJ, Philadelphia, and beyond. PA imposes its flat 3.07% income tax on wages earned while physically present in the state. Your employer may need to register for PA withholding if they do not already have a presence there. Consult a tax professional to ensure proper compliance.
How do I verify internet speed before buying a home?
Tim checks internet serviceability and available speeds at every property address his remote-worker clients consider. You can also verify directly with providers like Verizon Fios (fios.verizon.com), Service Electric (serviceelectric.com), and Comcast Xfinity (xfinity.com) by entering the property address on their websites.
What coworking options are available in the Lehigh Valley?
The Lehigh Valley has a growing network of coworking spaces in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton — ranging from premium providers like Industrious to boutique studios in the SouthSide Arts District. Day passes, monthly memberships, and private offices are available. See the coworking section above for specific recommendations.
What is the best community for a remote worker?
It depends on your priorities. Bethlehem and Easton offer walkable downtowns, coworking access, and cultural amenities. Parkland and Saucon Valley offer top-rated schools and quiet suburban living. Allentown offers the most affordable entry points and NIZ tax benefits. Tim matches remote workers with communities that fit their work style, budget, and lifestyle.
Do I need to be in my employer's state for tax purposes?
Not necessarily. Most states tax income based on where the work is physically performed, not where the employer is located. However, some states (like New York) have a "convenience of the employer" rule that may tax remote workers as if they were in the office. Pennsylvania taxes only income earned while physically present in PA. Consult a CPA for your specific situation.
Explore More
Relocation Hub
Complete relocation guide with state-by-state resources.
Relocating from New York
NYC median $750K+ vs LV $300K — remote work makes it work.
Relocating from New Jersey
NJ's highest property taxes vs PA's flat 3.07%.
Commute & Transportation
Drive times, public transit, highways, and airport access.
All Communities
Explore all 17 Lehigh Valley community guides.
First-Time Buyer Guide
Step-by-step guide for first-time home buyers in the Lehigh Valley.
Book Your Remote Worker Consultation
Whether you are relocating from NYC, NJ, Philly, or anywhere else, Tim Tepes helps remote workers find the right Lehigh Valley home — with verified internet, a dedicated office, and the lifestyle you need. Schedule a free consultation today.
Tim Tepes | Assoc Broker — Tim Tepes Real Estate LLC | PA License #AB062628L