Gated communities in Pocono's -how do they work? (East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg: transplants, foreclosure)

[PeeAye Native]

Originally Posted by DavidWebb

What makes you think living outside of a private community won't afford the same thing?? I have restaurants, pizzerias, shopping centers, K-Mart, etc., close also...I didn't have to live behind a gate to get that...they may not be within walking distance but I wouldn't trade my current environment for one where I have to wait for the ...
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How would you know if you've never lived outside the community your in right now...you didn't live in a gated community in NYC and you made friends didn't you?? I've met a lot of people here in NEPA since I first came out here in 1996 without having to live behind a gate...
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Some people need to be ruled by others...but if that's what makes you happy...

I have to agree with these points. If the poster's proposition were to be believed, that would mean no one living in the original/ungated communities (i.e., small towns and villages) in the Poconos know their neighbors, no one socializes, people stay in like hermits and have no friends, there are no bars or restaurants that people frequent or can walk to, there is no shopping, and so on. I think we all know that is just not so.

Gated communities appeal to some sensibilities that apply were one living in NYC and other dense urban cores. And if you're accustomed to that lifestyle and sense of community, you probably think it's normal, and extrapolate it to everywhere else you live. But there is clearly a 'missing the forest for the trees' effect going on here.

[varmintblaster]

In defense of Roxxy, I don't think she implied any shortcomings in the small towns of the Poconos.

If she enjoys living in a gated community, which offers activites and other amenities that she enjoys, I say good for her.

Personally, I would not want to modify my lifestyle to conform to some of the rules that HOA's impose on its members, but as they say - different strokes for different folks.

[Summering]

The problem is MOST of the lake communities that are gated, or even ungated, have HOA rules and regulations.
If you want a lake and community living you have to buy into that.
Having lived both ways.......I did breath a sigh of relief when I left the gated community and began my "freedom" at my present property.
I just knew I could do what I liked now......Not that I did anything that would bother my neighbors.
Still needing town permits for a pool or shed, but not the extra permits and approvals needed from the HOA community.
Many thought I didn't own my land ( in the HOA community)because of all the approvals needed to do something on it.....
Crime does not deter due to those gates, not in the least. That is a big misconception....
Still I realize that if I want to live by a lake I might just have to live within the rules again.
I have to weight that issue. Perhaps a less structured lake community.......
Funny thing is, in NJ there were lake communities without all the fanfair.
You paid a fee to use the lake, that was it. No HOA, and no rules. The only lake I feel is comparable is Harveys Lake. I am sure there are others, but not very many for sure.

[log living]

I understand there are pro's and con's. I have only begun my search. I will read research each carefully.

[fisheye]

log living,
I just wanted to say that we have a tax upset sale in Monroe County on September 15’th. We have 1990 properties currently on our list - the number will change as the sale approaches. There are no guarantees - there can be liens and other incumbencies against the property. I do not think that title searches take too long? Other counties could be having their sales about the same time? If you would want to check this out; you can just Google Monroe County upset tax sale or try this link: http://www.co.monroe.pa.us/planning_records/cwp/view.asp?a=1569&q=606322
You can then hit on the list.

[fisheye]

log living,
Here is a link to an article that is running in today’s Pocono Record: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100907/NEWS/9070327/-1/NEWS16
Apparently: the information on the study will be released on Wednesday. It might not be pertinent to the information that you seek? But; it might give you an insight into potential problems or advantages with private communities.

[PeeAye Native]

And a follow up article today: Your neighbors behind the gates: A look at the Poconos' largest private communities | PoconoRecord.com, and a PDF file to go with it: http://www.poconorecord.com/assets/pdf/PR128698.PDF

FYI on these Pocono Record articles, per a banner announcement I saw, the Pocono Record web site is supposed to switch to a subscription site in a few days (they mentioned the date of Sep 21 or thereabouts), so after presumably that date, one would have to pay a subscription fee to read the articles.

Edit, details here.

[poconolake]

Hey Log,
I live in a Gated Community. You own your own property so you pay your own taxes. The association dues are an additional cost per year. Typically you get road maintenance, trash, security as well as any amenities the community might offer such as pools, lakes, beaches, tennis etc...Depending on what you are looking for along the lines of how much land might be the telling tale of whether or not a gated community is right for you (or any community for that matter, gated or not). Most communities lot sizes are broken down to 1/4 to 1/2 acre parcels some communities a little more. Hope this helps.

[DavidWebb]

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

FYI on these Pocono Record articles, per a banner announcement I saw, the Pocono Record web site is supposed to switch to a subscription site in a few days (they mentioned the date of Sep 21 or thereabouts), so after presumably that date, one would have to pay a subscription fee to read the articles.

I'll be glad to see them go....they suck journalism-wise anyway...can't get stories straight, ton's of typos in their articles, most stories only 1/2 information about what happened...no wonder the Morning Call is so much more popular than them...the NY Times and other newspapers across the country tried that with little to no success...it may work for the Wall Street Journal because their a much bigger periodical but not for some backwoods newspaper....

[LNTT_Vacationer]

Originally Posted by poconolake

Hey Log,
I live in a Gated Community. You own your own property so you pay your own taxes. The association dues are an additional cost per year. Typically you get road maintenance, trash, security as well as any amenities the community might offer such as pools, lakes, beaches, tennis etc...Depending on what you are looking for along the lines of how much land might be the telling tale of whether or not a gated community is right for you (or any community for that matter, gated or not). Most communities lot sizes are broken down to 1/4 to 1/2 acre parcels some communities a little more. Hope this helps.

ditto. if you want more of the community flavor and some ammenities an hoa (gated or not) can be the way to go. If your enjoyment is burning cardboard in a steel can free from rules, perhaps not so much

In a way, by these associations covering their own trash, road maintenance, some security, etc., with no reduction in millage, taxes of others are kept lower.