Arrowhead Lakes (Jim Thorpe, Harmony, Wall: renters, vacation home, to buy)

[Crossencp]

Hi all, we are very close to making a move on a house in AL. Just to make sure we started to look into other areas and see if AL is really as good as it seems.
Are there other gated communities that offer as much as Arrowhead seems to offer? Are the lot sizes compairable? Any other advice I would love to hear. Thanks!

[poconoproud]

www.arrowheadca.org

Arrowhead is a great community. I know they have a lot of activities planned at all times for young and old, many lakes and pools, lotsa stuff. Maybe you might consider renting a home for a weekend in Arrowhead..and in Towamensing as well. ..as I see you are considering it from your other post. Just to get a feel for where you would be living.

Other lake communities to consider that offer similar amenities are Lake Naomi/Timber Trails..and a lot of folks like Lake Harmony. You could leave Monroe County's Pocono Lake area and check out Wayne County...Lake Wallenpaupack area.

[Crossencp]

I guess my number one complaint it too many pretty areas to choose from. Nice complant eh?

We are headed up to AL this weekend and hope to stop at Towamensing on the way back.

I just dont want to have the grass is greener syndrom no matter where we pick.

I would love to hear any BAD things as well. I have read most of the threads and didnt pick up any thing bad about Arrowhead or Locust.
Thanks for the help.

[pocopc]

Do you have kids? Arrowhead would be going to Pocono Mountain School District. If you went to towmensing trails you'd be going to Jim Thorpe. Nothing wrong with either, just something to consider.

Also property taxes. Generally speaking the property tax is cheaper in Carbon County (towmensing trails) then in Monroe County (arrowhead or locust).

My school taxes are 1800 for a 1900sq 1/2 acre house. When i lived in Monroe County the school tax was the same... but on a 1000sq 1/4 acre house. I would be about 2200-2400 for the same house in monroe county.

[Crossencp]

It would be our second home so we would be going there on the weekends and in the summer.

The taxes are great to know.
Still thinking of things I want to ask..............

[J5K5LY]

I lived there for over 3 yrs. You asked for complaints, ok, here are a few. Most of the houses are substandard construction. Make sure the house you are looking to buy is insulated properly and that everything is in safe working order-wood stove, fireplace, electric, etc. They did not even have building codes till recently! Have the house inspected thoroughly! Septic and all!
In the summer, kids will zoom around in golf carts. I am amazed they don't have age requirements for that.
Neighbors are very nosy. Alot of them resent renters and week-enders.
That is all the negative I can think of. I did enjoy most of my time there and if you love cold weather and snow it is the best!
Oh one last thing- if you are expecting company, they need to register at the main office and that can be quite a pain, especially on busy week ends. I will never live in a gated community again!
Best of luck to you!

[kszs1221]

Hi Glad you are loking into Arrowhead. We have been weekenders there for five years and love the area! Yes during the summers it gets a bit noisy with renters, but if you get a house a little farther on the outskirts of the development ( all the way up maxatawny--or all the way left of orono) it is still quiet peaceful. The busy areas are obviously around the pools and lakes. As for the golf carts there is an age requirement--14 and they must get a safety license to drive--my son has one and has been stopped and required to show it. Now this was 2 years ago but I dont believe that has changed. All in all being weekenders we have not felt out of place and many, many people stop to talk to you and are friendly. Just my 2 cents but we love it!

[beckycat]

I stayed there for a month this past summer. I didn't not have any problems with the neighbors. The pools and activities were great! They opened a new pool this summer to make 3. The activities are endless from beach bonfires, Bingo, dinners, breakfasts and so much more. Everyone was so friendly. IMHO, I like it better than Towamensing. I lived there for a year. They didn't have all the activities. Blakeslee has a couple good stores close-by, but eveything else is about 12 miles away. I guess it wouldn't matter for weekend trips though.

[Crossencp]

Thanks for the good and bad info. We eneded up getting one on Croasdale which is far enough I think from the hustle and bustle. We just got the house inspected and it was in great shape.

Now, I guess I should learn to ski. lol, thanks again

[poconoproud]

Hi! Welcome to the Pocono's!! Croasdale is a nice, quiet road. Good choice!

Is this a vacation home for you?