Hawaii family moving to Honesdale, PA (Riverside, Prompton: rental homes, hotel, houses)

[roxxy38]

Honesdale is a cute town. It has some nice antique stores. I never heard anything bad about Hawaii but I guess you know better. Good luck with your move here.

As far as being accepted: You have people from everywhere that dont like anyone thats not like them, unfortunately thats the way it is. I am sure you wont have any problems here I find they mainly dont like New Yorkers, lol, which I am one.

[Cougargm]

Your kids will probably enjoy the snow, and snow you shall see! Honesdale is sort of in the "snow belt" of NE PA, but to parrot what others have written, it's a very nice, quiet town with most of the basic amenities. It has a hospital, library and YMCA. For retail there's a Walmart, Kmart, and a Home Depot among the big box stores. Plenty of fast food joints in McD's, Wendy's, Arbys and Pizza Hut, and for entertainment there's a public pool, bowling alley and movie theater. You'd likely drive to Scranton if you want more variety. By Scranton and WIlkes-Barre you'll find concerts, some theater, minor league baseball and hockey, and a lot more retail. Honesdale also has the annual county fair, which is decent by fair standards.
Lake Wallenpaupack is nearby, with boat rentals, water skiing, etc and Promised Land state park isn't that far away, and is mostly a gorgeous forest with some lakes and beaches. There are waterfalls nearby in Pike county. Don't expect it to be like a big city because it's actually quite small (pop appr 5,000) but you have your basics and nice small town/ rural living.
Good luck with your move- and I hope your children enjoy the snow next winter. The biggest problem with the area is that winter is about six months long and the other three seasons are only about two months each

[greentown]

Welcome to the area. I think you will find Honesdale to be a big change from what you are used to, but it is truly a beautiful area and a great place to raise kids. I have to say that I think you are really brave to move halfway around the world with three kids to a house that you've only seen in photos! Don't be afraid to ask if you need any info. Here's a few websites with lots of things to do in the area in case you need to find something:

Honesdale Online- Things to do in Honesdale, PA roots and rhythm music and arts festival honesdale rotary and more

Things to do at Lake Wallenpaupack in the Pocono Mountains near Hawley, PA

Directory of Things to Do in the Lake Wallenpaupack Area

[poconoproud]

POCONOS: Claws 'N' Paws Animal Park in the POCOCNO tourist region. Wallenpaupak Scranton, Pocono, Wilkes Barre, Steamtown, Jim Thorpe, pa, Pennsylvania, tour, bus, trip, travel, zoo, attraction, animal

[Summering]

Your right.........Living on the Big Island there is not as much to do as living in the states.
It is a specific amount of area, and people do tend to get the feelings you have shared.
Kona is wonderful, but that is a long trip up to the Volcano area from there.......not very well lighted along the way.
Unless one can frequently visit the other islands, staying on one island can get confining.
So the experience of snow, and of our state parks and surrounding areas might really feel great to you.
The ocean only being a 2 1/2 hour ride away here might also be to your enjoyment...
Our ocean areas lack the coral and rock beneath your feet and so that is quite different from some of ( most of) the Hawaii beaches.
With so much to see and do in the states, you will never have a chance to get bored.
I think the kids should enjoy the schools... Best of Luck

[FirstObserver]

Mona, if you need to be near Honesdale that's one thing, but if you can relocate further west, the schools are better. The Abington system is about the best, but a bit further north near Dalton, the Lackawanna Trail system appears to be pretty good.

[live_in_nepa]

Originally Posted by FirstObserver

Mona, if you need to be near Honesdale that's one thing, but if you can relocate further west, the schools are better. The Abington system is about the best, but a bit further north near Dalton, the Lackawanna Trail system appears to be pretty good.

I would disagree with Abington being the best of the area. Wallenpaupack has been rated #1 many years in a row. North Pocono is also a top rated school. They are much lower in taxes than Abington and the CS area and the more rural area of Honesdale is more desired for some looking to stay away from the crowds.

Anyway, good luck with your move. If you have never experienced the snow, it will be a delight for the first few storms and clean up.. then if you really do not take to it.. it will become a hassle. Honesdale area gets at least twice to three times as much snow as Scranton. For example if there is 2" of snow in Scranton, you get probably count on 6" or more in Honesdale. we love it because we snowmobile and ice fish and i get a break from yard work.

Many Many locals are accepting to new people and have the view point of treat others as you wish to be treated.. so come here with a great outlook and no attitude and you will be fine. It really is the rude, ignorant people that that move in and think like they are still in the big city that find it not so friendly, but then again.. what do you expect??

If you need any tips on the area just ask.. I grew up close by.

[Mona6381]

Thank you so much for all the info you shared. It helps a lot! My kids are all excited . We are good people so i'm sure we will be fine when we get there.

[KarenRice]

Mona, I hope you receive a warm welcome. Honesdale truly is a nice little town. Thank you also, for sharing the unseen side of Hawaii with us - I for one think of it only as a heavenly paradise. Goes to show the grass is not always greener, nor is the water always bluer, on the other side.

I am not sure which part of Riverside Drive your house is on - there are some nice homes there, and some so-so homes...but town is a short walk away. There is a nice - modest but very nice- library right in town.

[donnahonesdale]

Welcome :0). We moved to Honesdale 2 years ago---moved to PA in general 10 years ago from New York City. it is nice but it can take a bit to get to know others in the area. I am speaking only from experience! Keep in touch on this site and maybe we can connect at the park in Honesdale one day :0).