Can anyone tell me about Bangor or Pen Argyl (schools, landfill)

[njbuyer]

I'm looking to buy a house in Bangor, Nazareth or Pen Argyl within the next month or two, and my realtor says that Nazareth and Pen Argyl have better school districts. I now have questions with the land fill in Pen Argyl. Does anyone know the reality of it????? I'm so confused. I've heard that they're talking about expanding it, and waiting to find out if it's approved. I've heard that it carries health risks that are covered up. I've also googled it on the internet, and found that it's one of the top largest landfills in the COUNTRY!!! One has to think that statistic must effect one's health. Does the air smell on a hot summer day? We are looking at a house tomorrow in Pen Argyl, and I don't want to get my hopes up if there's issues aside from cosmetic reasons. I'm so confused? Any answers out there?????

[toobusytoday]

None of those school districts are that good but look at SchoolMatters - Home to see what you think.

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by njbuyer

I'm looking to buy a house in Bangor, Nazareth or Pen Argyl within the next month or two, and my realtor says that Nazareth and Pen Argyl have better school districts. I now have questions with the land fill in Pen Argyl. Does anyone know the reality of it????? I'm so confused. I've heard that they're talking about expanding it, and waiting to find out if it's approved. I've heard that it carries health risks that are covered up. I've also googled it on the internet, and found that it's one of the top largest landfills in the COUNTRY!!! One has to think that statistic must effect one's health. Does the air smell on a hot summer day? We are looking at a house tomorrow in Pen Argyl, and I don't want to get my hopes up if there's issues aside from cosmetic reasons. I'm so confused? Any answers out there?????

I'm a native and I'll try to help you. Right now the Waste Management landfill is near capacity and taking in little garbage, so the impact is not that great. However, they have indeed applied for the expansion permit and no one knows if they are going to get it.

When they are running at full capacity (just so you know in case the expansion goes through), there is a constant stream of smelly trucks coming in through Wind Gap and into Pen Argyl. They try to keep the dust, noise, and smell down at the landfill and are much more successful than in the past, but there are times on damp days that you can smell "eau de garbage" in the vicinity.

No one in community leadership in Pen Argyl is going to fight against the landfill impact because they receive huge reimbursement as a neighboring community. Pen Argyl police have truck scales, and this keeps most of the large garbage trucks out of town for the most part.

There have been health surveys and instances of rare cancer in the bordering areas around the landfill, but officially I believe no conclusion was drawn one way or the other. However, it would make me worry too.

If you are interested in Pen Argyl, look at homes as far away from Waste Management as possible, down at the far end of town by Kim Cesare Auto Sales and Weona Park, or high up on the mountain near the high school. Be sure to look out over the town if you go up the hills - the hills you see down below Pen Argyl - many of those are covered-over garbage in the landfill.

As far as Bangor is concerned, there are very many "bad" areas as far as living, and unfortunately this carries over into the school. That is why the real estate there is so cheap IMO.

Your best bet school-wise of the three is Nazareth, but homes are definitely more expensive there. Of the three municipalities, it has the best downtown, the most local business, and really great community programs (including a YMCA downtown).

If you need any more information, please don't hesitate to direct message me or post again. Good luck!

[MamaBee]

I'm also interested in the Bangor/Nazareth/Bushkill area.

I've heard that there are a lot of drugs problems in the area...is this true?

Also, about Nazareth...I've heard that it's sort of dumpy since the cement factories closed down...

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by MamaBee

I'm also interested in the Bangor/Nazareth/Bushkill area.

I've heard that there are a lot of drugs problems in the area...is this true?

Also, about Nazareth...I've heard that it's sort of dumpy since the cement factories closed down...

MamaBee, as far as Bangor versus Nazareth - to me they are like night and day. Bangor has so many vacant storefronts although they are truly trying their best to revitalize. But there are many areas where I wouldn't live.

Nazareth to me is a much nicer town even in spite of the cement factories and their side effects (they sweep the roads regularly and there have been dust issues in the past).

The fact remains that Nazareth, Wind Gap, Pen Argyl, and Roseto, and Bangor have lost their backbone of industry and much of their retail as well. The small stores have closed and people drive to the big-box retail down Rt. 33. The quarries and garment mills where you could actually support a family are gone too. This has obviously had huge impact on the area and the quality of living. Many people in the above communities now do long commutes and the traffic and overall quality of life are influenced by this.

Hands-down, the Nazareth school system is the best of those mentioned above. You do not need to live in Nazareth, others who attend school live in Upper Nazareth Township, Bushkill Township, and Lower Nazareth Township (check school district boundaries if you find a house you like). The townships have gotten very "sprawlish" and I don't know if that will appeal to you.

As far as drugs, in my own community I am seeing more activity than I'd like. The Guardian Angels now have a Slate Belt chapter and they have been out "patrolling" and see definite signs (they visited our town council meeting last month and gave report). However, drugs are unfortunately everywhere these days.

I hope that answers your questions. If you find a house you like, I would be glad to try to help you figure out if the neighborhood is "good" or not.

[njbuyer]

So I've now expanded my search into Bath, PA. Any opinions on that town compared to the others mentioned? We're looking at a townhome on Old Forge Road. Anyone know about the decency of these rowhome/townhomes? Also, I've been looking for a good daycare in or around Bath/Nazareth. I've heard about Learn N Play in Bath. Any reviews of that daycare? I did however find a great daycare in Bangor on 4th Street, but if we move to Bath, it kind of defeats the purpose.

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by njbuyer

So I've now expanded my search into Bath, PA. Any opinions on that town compared to the others mentioned? We're looking at a townhome on Old Forge Road. Anyone know about the decency of these rowhome/townhomes? Also, I've been looking for a good daycare in or around Bath/Nazareth. I've heard about Learn N Play in Bath. Any reviews of that daycare? I did however find a great daycare in Bangor on 4th Street, but if we move to Bath, it kind of defeats the purpose.

I don't know about that particular area of Bath, but the school district is definitely better IMO than Bangor or Pen Argyl. As far as those townhomes, go and visit several times of day and make sure the neighborhood is as it appears. Bath has an awful lot of rental properties and that is usually not a good sign at all.

In addition, Bath currently has regional police and it looks like they are going to leave the department (which will probably impact your taxes):
Bath looking to leave force - PennLive.com

Bath is also locally notorious for having difficulty with mayors - one former mayor embezzled money from her church and her successor was involved in a road rage incident!

[mawipafl]

I lived in Mount Bethel, just east of Bangor and in the Bangor school district, for a number of years. Although the people were very nice and the area, in general, was very pretty, I found the area lacked in a number of ways.

I was not impressed with the Bangor school system at all -- the elementary level is fine, but the middle school and high school were not. My daughter, and I know a number of her friends, were not properly prepared for college.

I also became quickly frustrated with having to travel so far for shopping and entertainment. I understand the desire to stay away from the traffic woes you experienced in Myrtle Beach, and I was seeking the same concept, but I found myself having to drive a half hour or more for well-rounded mall shopping (Rockaway in NJ or Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall or Phillipsburg.) That got old fast.

I also felt there weren't a lot of hometown activities. There were a few small carnivals, Bangor's Halloween parade, the Plainfield farm show. I'm one who wants to connect to my hometown, so I wish for these kinds of things. Not everyone does, and that's fine, really.

So, in my opinion, if you're one who's looking for good schools, nearby shopping, community activities, the Bangor area isn't the place for you. The area does have its benefits, but it wasn't the small town fit I was looking for.

[njbuyer]

Thanks everyone! After almost a year of searching, we've chosen a townhome in Bath, PA. We've researched with my realtor, and these townhomes seems to sell like hot cakes, even with the way the market is now. We pulled up a few of the recent sold listings online, and they don't stay on the market even two months before they get snagged up by a buyer....which is amazing with the way the market is, seeing homes on for a year or even more. We got a great price, immaculately clean space, a garage and a finished basement...great for the price. My realtor was even surprised, stating that it was "priced cheap." We've looked at 30 somes places in various towns in the area, and have exhaused it completely...I'm so excited! Thanks for all your imput!

[karen_s]

Good Luck! I pulled up your new home on the MLS, and it does seem priced right. I hope you are very happy with it! All of my cousins went to Northampton Area schools and were very happy with them.

P.S. I hope the new mayor of Bath stays out of trouble