Miller Life

I currently live in Bethlehem Township, which is located in Northampton County, part of the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania. It is a suburban area of 24,000 people, with a moderate population density. Bethlehem Township is the quintessential suburb and bedroom community. It has housing developments interspersed with some wooded areas and open space. The township's main shopping center is at Southmont, which includes Lowe's, Barnes & Noble, Panera Bread and other establishments. Southmont is my old stomping grounds. Bethlehem Township's main roadways include Route 33, Freemansburg Avenue, Easton Avenue and Hecktown Road.

I am currently living with my parents in order to save money. I have lived on my own in the past, and will again in the future, once I start earning more money again. I lived in South Bethlehem for a while, in a fun, walkable neighborhood. Contrastingly, Bethlehem Township can seem boring and dull, while it does suit other purposes.

My specific neighborhood is known as Miller Heights and is comprised of the hilly residential section near Nancy Run Fire Company. It is a blue collar, lower-middle class neighborhood right near Bethlehem Township's border with the City of Bethlehem. It is surrounded by more affluent developments, but contains ordinary Americans steeped in traditional working-class culture. There is a hillbilly flair to the neighborhood, as many drive large "souped-up" pickup trucks, listen to country music and enjoy hunting. They are also warm and affable.

I spend most of my time at home in my parents' basement, where I have my recliner, TV and computer. It is often from here that I write my blog posts and search Wikipedia. I don't stick around during the day, however, because I am not a homebody. I feel bored and depressed when I stay at home too long, so I make frequent forays into the cities nearby, even on my days off.

Despite my desire to leave the township, I do appreciate some things about it. For example, there are some landmarks here, in Bethlehem Township, that include the Keystone Pub, Bruno Scipioni's, Notre Dame High School and Northampton Community College. I like the proximity of the NCC Mack Library, where I spend a full day once a week "nerding out" on the Internet. I am allowed that privilege by virtue of being an NCC alumni, even though I graduated in 2007!

Other places here that I've visited over the past 7 years include Keystone Pub and Bruno Scipioni's. I used to hang out regulary at the Keystone Pub when I was in my late twenties and have many fond memories of the place, where the beer keeps flowing and the company is a lot of fun!

Bethlehem Township also has a rustic scenery. The woods and rolling hills appeal to my eyes, displaying Mother Nature in all seasons. It is great for walking and riding my bike. I love walking through the township's various residential developments and observing the people who reside in them. You get to learn a lot about humanity. All in all, it is a decent area to live; it suits my purposes. Eventually, though, I hope to move to either Bethlehem or Easton!