Effort area vs. Swiftwater/Tannersville area (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: for sale, waterpark, house)

[Soprano797]

We are planning to move to the area b/c my husband got a job at Sanofi Pasteur. In your opinion, where is the better area to live- near Effort or closer to the Swiftwater/Tannersville area? Are there other areas that we should consider? We don't want to be more than 30 minutes from his job in Swiftwater. Thanks for you help!

[cathyde]

Congrats to your husband's job! My husband has been working there for about 1 1/2 years, after 16 years with Merck & Co. We looked all over the areas within that 30 minute radius, and we decided on the Mt. Cobb area. It's right off Interstate 84, about 35 minutes from Swiftwater, and it's in the North Pocono School District, which is a very solid district.

Not sure what else is factoring into your decision besides travel time; different areas are going to give you different positives and negatives.

If there's anything more I can help you with, just send me a DM. Good luck with your search!

[ScranBarre]

I concur with Cathy that the North Pocono area would be a great place to investigate. The school district has an academically-solid reputation, and best of all you're not terribly far at all from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area for shopping, dining, nightlife, sports, etc. Moscow, the "hub" town of the school district, is very quiet. I'd be concerned about the wintry commute down I-380 between the Moscow area and Swiftwater though, as this highway can be an ICE RINK at times, especially between the Gouldsboro and Tobyhanna exits.

[INPASINCE68]

I would not want to take that commute in the winter. Will be at least an hours drive in bad weather, that if they don't shut down 380. Look on Northampton County around Portland area. Tannersville is good, just have to watch if you your kids will go to Pocono Mountain East or West. You always have private schools in Monroe County.

[stoymonkey]

I think the Tannersville area is great. We live less than 10 minutes to the Crossings, grocery store, CVS, etc. 15 minutes to the Stroudsburg mall. It gets a bit trafficy holidays and summer weekends, but you just learn to time it right or take back roads. Camelback is about 10 minutes away also, good for either skiing or waterpark in summer (wkdys though!) Oh, and Cameltop. Big Pocono State Park. Sanofi is about 10 minutes away, I know a great house that will be for sale in the area, too!

[Summering]

I think some areas of Tannersville would be good for you. Perhaps even closer to your husbands job try Scotrun. Scotrun is just a skip and a jump to the Swiftwater job location.
I think the lower areas of Effort are ok. Up in the higher elevations it will be too foggy, and there is a lot more snow and ice.
You might try Saylorsburg, or Brodheadsville, the school system of Pleasant Valley has a wonderful reputation. It is not a long ride to route 33 and then onto 611 from those areas.
Best of luck. It is a fantastic place to work ( so I always hear)

[cathyde]

Just a heads-up about the commute...

Several times since we moved here, Sanofi has sent out a mass text/email to let their employees know of bad weather. On some occasions they have a "work delay" of an hour or two, just like school. Many times I-380 is greatly improved in that time. My husband has said that the commute is, while still slow, much better when he's able to wait a while and let PENN DOT do its job.

Just FYI. So no matter where you live, you get informed of conditions and, at times, able to wait at home until things improve. Nice perk!

[AtHomeInThePoconos]

Soprano, what are you looking for besides an easy commute? Both areas have plusses & minuses.

Tannersville and Swiftwater are more convenient to shopping and restaurants, as they're in the tourist area. You'd have Mt. Pocono in one direction and Stroudsburg in the other with Crossings and Camelback in between. There's lots of new shopping in Stroudsburg, and more on the way.

Effort is outside of the tourist area. Effort itself has only a smattering of businesses. You'd likely do most of your day-to-day errands in Brodheadsville, which has all the basics: supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, a liquor store, fast food and other takeout, a couple of restaurants, a library, etc.

[Soprano797]

Besides an easy commute, we want to live in a nice, quiet neighborhood. We have two young children so we want to be someplace safe. I've been trying to research the site about certain areas and communities.

[rcb1966]

All posts make great points for their respective areas. Tannersville is closest, offers proximity to Rte 80 & you can get virtually anything you need within 5 minutes.....schools are sketchy unless you go private. Effort, pretty much the same as Tannersville, but your 5 minutes turns into 10 minutes....Pleasant Valley School is slightly better than Pocono Mt. SD. Mt. Cobb, definitely more rural, but better schools...North Pocono. Stroudsburg actually is not a terrible choice if considering the above....great time to buy a house there. Here is an off key locale with a great school district (Crestwood School District)...virtually no crime...5 minutes to Rte 80....30 minute commute via Rte 80 (easy drive) & many commuters to Sanofi/Stroudsurg destinations, try White Haven PA 18661 or Mountaintop PA 18702.