Quote:
Originally Posted by bellabella2
My husband has an offer for a position in Schuykill Haven reporting in August 1.
I never heard of this place..
Any information that could help in this decision? I have a three year old daughter, SAFETY and good education are a priority. Also train access to Philadelphia would be a plus.
I am a guidance counselor and I will be looking for employment in school districts there or as an advisor or program assistant at a university.
Please any infor will be appreciated.
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Good morning, Bella!
Shuylkill Haven isn't technically in the Lehigh Valley. You might have better luck garnering more replies if you post another thread on either the General PA forum or even perhaps the Northeastern Pennsylvania sub-forum, since Schuylkill County is indeed on the southern tier of this area.
There's really not much to say good or bad about the town. It just kind of "exists." There are some churches, funeral homes, bars, gas stations, and other day-to-day conveniences. The housing stock is generally very old yet
very affordable; many homes are attached rowhomes, and some are in need of updating. Crime is very low, although I've always considered Schuylkill County to have a disgustingly high rate of alcoholism; DUIs are commonplace. You'll be in close proximity to the county seat of Pottsville, a town of around 16,000 where you'll find the Yuengling Brewery, a rebounding downtown with a recently-restored historic theater, and some chain stores. Further north of Pottsville in the town of Frackville you'll find the enclosed Schuylkill Mall, just off I-81. You also won't be a terribly far drive from Reading for some good outlet shopping, minor-league baseball (Phillies), and some more restaurant chain options.
If it were up to me I wouldn't be thrilled about a move to Schuylkill County simply because it is rather economically depressed (and shows its wear and tear over the years with its generally ugly housing stock), but the people of the county are down-to-earth, kind-hearted, and will give you the shirt off their backs. You'll be serviced by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area television stations, although you'll probably pick up radio stations from Reading, Harrisburg, and even Allentown.
Since your top priorities are safety and education, I'll have to defer to residents who may have more firsthand knowledge. I personally think crime is a non-issue, but I don't know the reputation of the Schuylkill Haven Area School District. I believe there is rail access between Reading, which isn't very far away from Schuylkill Haven, and Philadelphia. Higher education isn't very easily accessible in this area. I believe Pottsville has a McCann School of Business and a branch campus of Penn State University, and I'm pretty sure Reading also has a PSU branch, a community college, and another four-year college that I can't recall the name of. Just because the job offer is in Schuylkill Haven doesn't necessarily mean you have to live there. If it were up to me I'd move to near the Berks/Schuylkill County line in the Deer Lake, Orwigsburg, or Hamburg areas as this will position you well for perhaps 15-20-minute commutes for your husband to work and potentially for you if you find work in Reading.
Best of luck!
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job offer in Schuylkill Haven... Help needed
I'm almost positive that Amtrak cuts through Harrisburg en route to Philadelphia, but to drive from Schuylkill Haven to Harrisburg just to hop a train to Philly would be doing some severe back-tracking.
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