OP, I grew up and lived just outside Allentown from the early 1970s through the early 2000s before moving to Quakertown and then the Poconos, both not far from the Lehigh Valley. Still have family there.

I've seen the area change a lot over those years.

If you're strictly speaking looking within Allentown City limits, I'd stick to as far west as possible that you can still find rowhomes within your budget. Consider looking at twins in that same area if you can stretch your budget because there's more of them in the West End then rows.

The far East Side up against West Bethlehem might be an option too.

Avoid the 1st and 6th wards between the Jordan Creek and Lehigh River; the neighborhoods immediately surrounding CC; parts of the East Side; and the South Side (Mountainville). Those rowhomes are cheap for a reason: 1.) Usually need a lot of work to rehab - often old, neglected, and sometimes were rentals and 2.) a decent chance of having at least one crappy neighbor making your life hell.

Speaking of just outside Allentown, you might find a row or much more likely a twin in parts of Emmaus, Salisbury Township, or the Centronia neighborhood of South Whitehall Township, all of which will have lower school district taxes and better-regarded schools than ASD.