Vacation home in the Poconos? (Honesdale, Gap: real estate, to rent, violent crime)

[deedee]

My husband & I have wanting to buy a 4 season vacation home for quite awhile now. Neighbors of ours have just purchased a home in the Poconos-- Lake Wallenpaupack area & absolutely love it--so we began our internet research on the area. I've fallen in love with what the Poconos has to offer (& have visited serveral times now). We're just now hearing about the crime/gang situation in the Poconos region--and have read the several posts on this site. Our real estate agent assures us that it's only a major issue in the areas close to Rt. 80, such as Pocono Lakes, Pocono Pines & Tobyhanna areas). She goes further to say that the areas further north such as Lake Ariel, & Lake Wallenpaupack are better (though everwhere has it's share of crime/drugs). Does this sound right to anyone? I love the area, but would hate to make such an investment if it's becoming very dangerous. I'm from Rockland County, NY---and there is plenty of crime/drugs going on up here like everywhere else. Is the northern Poconos region worse? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[ScranBarre]

Wayne County is MUCH safer than Monroe County! Sure, there is indeed crime in the Honesdale/Lake Wallenpaupack area as well, but it's mostly just minor offenses (DUIs, kids breaking mailboxes, an occasional mom-and-pop store being held up, etc.) In the area right along I-80, there has been a sharp rise in violent crime over the past several years, mostly affiliated to the drug trade and the influx of the gang presence. My ex-boyfriend hails from Pocono Farms, which he still considers "safe." (Considering he's from Brooklyn, I don't quite know what "safe" means to him though! LOL!) I know for sure that everyone should avoid "A Pocono Country Place", a gated community where much of the recent gang attention has been focused. Basically, Monroe County is the only part of the Poconos that is deteriorating in its quality-of-life.

I know realtors have a tendency to lie (No offense SREINC! LOL!), but they didn't steer you wrong in this case. The Honesdale/Lake Wallenpaupack area remains secure. The only recent issues flaring up in Wayne County have been the addition of a police force in Western Wayne High School to ease racial tensions (You don't want to mix diverse city slickers with the long-time rural "hicks" LOL!) You'll enjoy Wayne County very much, as it is still relatively-unspoiled by sprawl (Home Depot did manage to claw its way into Victorian Honesdale though---Grumble, grumble!)

For the record, as long as you avoid the areas closest to I-80 and the Delaware Water Gap, you're in safe hands! Feel free to invest in Northern Wayne County.

[MrTudo]

We are thinking about a getaway place in Wayne Cnty. We like the Hideout, but Greentown ( ? ) if I am not mistaken ( the area when you get off the highway, go left to Greentown and go right towards Hamlin ? ) ( Bear with me, we're from SW Fla lol ) looked neat with trees growing over the roads, so nice.

We bought apples at a roadstand from someone who was from Scotland. Fed the deer with the apples.

Anyway it's a thought and we're looking to rent a house there for a couple months to try it out. Don't like hearing about this gang stuff though.

[sunseeker]

Greentown is a very quaint littletown. Nice to have a grocery store close by too. School district is decent.

[KarenRice]

There are many choices available to you deedee, and here in Wayne/Pike County, you will find a diverse mix of people. Some of the more popular areas are Hemlock Farms, The Hideout, Wallenpaupack Lake Estates, Masthope.

Some of the other nice communities to consider include Tanglwood, Pocono Springs Estates (my personal favorite development in the area), Paupackan Lake Estates, Walker Lake and Indian Rocks. They do not offer as many amenities, but they have their own charm.

To narrow down where to look you need to decide what amenities are most important to you.

Is golfing an interest? Then consider The Hideout (they have a nice 9 hole golf course), Tanglwood Lakes (Paupack Hills is nearby but not actually part of the community yet, I believe they are talking about purchasing the golf course) or Hemlock Farms (country club membership required.

Powerboats important? Indian Rocks, Tanglwood (offers access to Lake Wallenpaupack), Masthope, The Hideout, Fawn Lake Forest, and Wallenpaupack Lake Estates...

Indoor pool? Wallenpaupack Lake Estates, Hemlock Farms, Fawn Lake (I think the pool is closed for repair right now), and Lake Wallenpaupack Estates

Low dues with some amenities? Pocono Springs Estates (lake, pool, clubhouse, etc), Tink Wig (Lake and pool, clubhouse) Tanglwood North has a clubhouse and offers a discount for skiing on Tanglwood Mtn...access to Lake Wallenpaupack

Skiing important? Tanglwood & Masthope - Masthope gives homeowners lift tickets, included in dues

Central water & sewer? Wallenpaupack Lake Estates, Masthope, Hideout

Quiet lakes - Hideout has both motor and non motor lakes. Wallenpaupack Lake Estates has non motor lakes as well as access to Lake Wallenpaupack. Paupackan Lake, Tink Wig, and Pocono Springs have non motor lakes...

Want to ride ATV's in the community? Consider Pocono Springs, Masthope, Fawn Lake, Indian Rocks, and (I think) Tink Wig.

Which community to look in will depend on what you are actually looking for in a community. Hope this helps!

[PWGUNNY]

DeeDee probably found a house by now. Her post is from three years ago.

[KarenRice]

ROFL. Who keeps reviving these old threads? At any rate, my comment can help whoever finds this thread again three years from now. LOL