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Hey all! So, as the title states, I’m thinking of moving back to PA from NJ after 8 years away. Here’s the catch: I’d like to live further into the Poconos than I did last time around (grew up in the Jim Thorpe area - Panther Valley District specifically) but I don’t know much about the area in regards to crime (specifically drug crime which was big near JT), which schools are the best, and what there is in terms of every day convenience (supermarkets, malls, indoor activities for pre-teen kids). Obviously there’s a lot to do outside and I’m aware of the hiking, fishing, camping, rafting, skiing, etc.
My kids have been very privileged to live in a great school district in NJ with a ton of stuff to do (it’s only an hour to NYC), so I want to make sure the move will at the very least come close to maintaining their lifestyle. Basically, I don’t want them to be as bored as I was growing up. I’d also like to know how accepting the community is to “outsiders.”
I’ve narrowed it down to Hawley, Tobyhanna, Mt. Pocono, & Gouldsboro. If you have any insight into those areas, let me know what they’re like. If you have other recommendations on good areas, feel free to drop them in the comments.
Since price undoubtedly matters: I’m looking for a home on the cheaper side (2-3 bedroom for $200k or less, which has been pretty easy to find in those towns, surprisingly), as NJ has gotten wildly expensive and that’s the whole point of us moving.
Thanks in advance!
The one I found is 4br 2 bath at $199k. That price and the tax bill are already a huge savings compared to what I’m paying in NJ.
Yea, I’m super familiar with the area you’re talking about. I was an outdoorsy kid and grew up on Summit Hill… so not far at all! I remember Palmerton not being too bad of a school district, but Pleasant Valley was better when I was a kid.
Yea, that’s a nice area. I know JTSD used to be good… how is it now? My oldest son has an IEP, so that’s a top concern.
Visiting the PV area is depressing. I’ve lost so many classmates to the opiate crisis & the towns are a shell of what they once were.
How’s Honesdale? I saw a few nice houses for cheap there.
Boooo Marian! Lol, Jk. I graduated in ‘04. I probably know you or your classmates bc you graduated the same year as my brother & it’s a small area.
I wonder if I had your mom as a teacher? 🧐
Ok awesome! Thanks again. My top pick was a house in Hawley, so that’s good to hear.
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I already pay an HOA in NJ. I have a 4wd (we get a decent amount of snow in northern NJ). Good point on the generator… I’ll look into that.
The cost of living in northern NJ is one of the highest in the country, so almost anything is an improvement from here, lol. That said, I’m not expecting to live like a queen in PA. I grew up there and most of my family is there, so I’m pretty familiar with the costs.