gay friendly near The Hideout (Philadelphia, Scranton: transplants, for sale, foreclosure)

[boyce1032]

I am possibly getting a job near Wilsonville, PA and am look for a gay friendly community to move to. I was told the Hideout has a lot of stuff to do but wanted to see if it was gay friendly. If not any other areas near Wilsonville that are gay friendly?

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by boyce1032

I am possibly getting a job near Wilsonville, PA and am look for a gay friendly community to move to. I was told the Hideout has a lot of stuff to do but wanted to see if it was gay friendly. If not any other areas near Wilsonville that are gay friendly?

Wow! You actually stumped me, and I thought I knew NEPA like the back of my hand! LOL! After doing a search I've located Wilsonville; it's part of Palmyra Township, a suburb (if you would even call it that) of Hawley. Lake Wallenpaupack is absolutely gorgeous. You'll love it!

Our long-time forum friend "I LOVE PA" has lived in The Hideout for over a decade now since moving here from NY and is the expert on all of the issues in the community, but she's been away from this forum for the past few months for some very good reasons that I won't disclose to respect her privacy. However, if she's still checking in she might come back to address your inquiry.

My partner grew up in Sterling Township, Wayne County, in a home perhaps three miles from The Hideout. From what he told me the Western Wayne School District (which services The Hideout) had its fair share of "closet cases," and aside from some ribbing he never encountered any problems. The ones who did call him names and whatnot largely resided in the borough of Waymart---from what he told me people in that town can be rather narrow-minded, and I'd avoid it at all costs if you're a minority. I don't suspect you will have any trouble in The Hideout since it is largely an oasis of more socially progressive NY/NJ transplants surrounded by the PA wilderness, so most people in there probably have the typical NY/NJ "live and let live" attitude on life. I live in Pittston Township, a suburb of Scranton, and I've faced my fair share of homophobia here---perhaps even moreso than my partner did out there in the Poconos. I had to deal with threats from a neo-Nazi and some hollow hate mail, but otherwise the vast majority of folks in NEPA don't approve of homosexuality but won't go out of their way either to intimidate you.

If you aren't specifically sold on living in a private community sort of environment, then the nearby town of Milford has a growing population in both artists and the LGBT community from the city. I used to receive notifications somewhere (it might have been MySpace) about gay dance parties in Milford. Hawley seems like it could be the "next Milford," in my opinion, as is the gateway to Lake Wallenpaupack and is home to a growing number of NY/NJ transplants. Nevertheless it remains a pristine, stellar place to live.

I'd have to say overall if you don't force your liberal ideologies unto others, then they won't shove their conservative ideologies unto you. In my case I was targeted by that neo-Nazi without any sort of provocation, but as soon as others found out what was being done to me they alienated him to the point where he finally left me alone to salvage his friendships. Is NEPA behind the times socially? Without a doubt. This is why I have been advocating and will CONTINUE to promote our region to transplants from NY, NJ, and Philadelphia---all of whom have been so exposed to diversity that they honestly don't give a damn anymore whether their new next-door neighbor is white, black, straight, gay, or glow-in-the-dark. I think a lot of the narrow-minded provincialism is most apparent in the immediate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area because residents here see what has happened in the Poconos (specifically Monroe County) negatively and realize that they are the next ones on the "chopping block," if you will, in terms of being overrun with new residents from the city.

Best of luck with your relocation! I'm friends with an official in the NEPA Rainbow Alliance, which has its headquarters in Wilkes-Barre, so if you have any concerns after you arrive, let me know and I can forward you to him.

[boyce1032]

Thanks for the reply. The breeder where I bought my dogs from lives in Mountain Top and has a hunting preserve up near Laceyville. I am in the area often and have not run into any problems but of course living in the area is a different story. My partner, besides being gay, is latino, so another thing for us to keep in mind...

I have heard about Milford, I guess it will depend on where my partner can get a job. Nice to hear that the hideout or other towns are becoming more open.

Thanks again...

[MermanMike]

I will second the vote for Milford if gay population is your main concern. Otherwise I think you'll be fine most anymore. My experience has been that people around the poconos generally mind their own business. Hawley is a really cute town, as ScranBarre said (I almost wrote SWB, but that wouldn't be as obvious now! I like the new name though, it sounds like an exotic berry). There is an antique shop on the main drag in Hawley that hangs a rainbow flag and I've never heard the store owner talk about any problems. That would be closer for you than Milford probably, although I must admit I have never of Wilsonville either.

[boyce1032]

The job is right near the lake wallenpaupack high school. Sounds like Hawley is the place to look, at least start.

[greentown]

Wilsonville is a PPL Campground located on Route 507 on Lake Wallenpaupack in the Hawley area. I have lived in the area for the past 20+ years and have not heard of any problems related to sexual orientation. As someone said earlier, everyone tends to mind their own business.

There are many developments on Routes 507 and 6 that would probably be much closer than the Hideout. And believe me, if you're looking for "socially progressive" transplants from NY and NJ, I'm sure you'll find plenty.

[okaydorothy]

Just bought in WLE which is close to Route 6 , route 590 and route 507.

d

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by okaydorothy

Just bought in WLE which is close to Route 6 , route 590 and route 507.

d

Congratulations! Welcome to the Poconos!

[boyce1032]

I accepted the offer and am moving to the area in June! I think I would like to rent for 6 months to year since I am new to the area - I will prob buy within 6 months to a year. I am looking for a house that will allow 2 large breed dogs and have a fenced yard or ability to add temp fencing. Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Thanks for all the information - it help make my decision easier!

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

We are renting in about a month and my realtor told me that there is no way she would ever show us a house in the Hideout.......and never been there myself asked her why. She said there are tons of problems in there, many houses foreclosured and up for sale.