It's Time To Go--Looking at the Poconos (Allentown, Scranton: transplants, foreclose)

[HeckOutOfNJ]

Hello all,

I have read the many threads on this subject, including some issues of "transplants." I'd like to give you my own personal backstory.

I've been in the IT field for 12 years, professionally (in total, 18 years). I can take a PC apart and diagnose an O/S issue pretty well, though today I'm a database administrator in the Metro NYC area [NNJ]. Early on in life, I had major credit/life issues and probably could have owned my own home in NJ years ago. But because of my youth, I basically partied my life away.

Enter today, I am a well respected IT professional, a bit shy of a six figure salary (even in this economy...I've only been laid off once and that was after 9/11). I have never been in trouble with the law, I do not have a criminal record, nor do I participate in criminal activity i.e. sell drugs, etc. I have a fiancee and two small dogs and we've been living together for 5 years. I am also Hispanic, but unapologetically Americanized.

Having said that and given you my back story, I am now ready to buy a home. My credit has improved, I have a little money in the bank and the property that I have a mortgage on so that a friend of mine did not foreclose on his home will soon be in the process of getting sold so that I may pursue my own home, I am ready to look at the Poconos area. No one should need to state the obvious, but I am in love with the lower property taxes, the cost of living and the lower prices of homes. I've known about it for years, but did not want to make a terrible commute, though I hear it's really not that bad.

I have heard that both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre are places I want to stay away from, and I basically want to be in a nice safe community. I don't have any children and I basically am looking for peace and quiet. Of course, I also need to be near Route 80 as I won't be leaving my job, as well as someplace that is not terribly rural. I plan on making a road trip next weekend so that I can get a feel for the area. Probably will leave early. If it's doable, I might even catch a drive to Bethlehem before I head back home to put some money in slots. HAHA. In any event, if folks can offer me any type of assistance, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[stoymonkey]

The Poconos is a pretty big area. What towns specifically are you looking for? I am selling in the Tannersville area and live near Rt 80 (and 10 min from casino). DM me if you'd like more info on my house and area!

[HeckOutOfNJ]

Originally Posted by stoymonkey

The Poconos is a pretty big area. What towns specifically are you looking for? I am selling in the Tannersville area and live near Rt 80 (and 10 min from casino). DM me if you'd like more info on my house and area!

I did send a DM. But to answer your question for the sake of this thread, I have never been to the Poconos. I only remember the old "Mount Airy Lodge" commericals when I was a kid. People who have been to the Poconos tell me it's a beautiful winter wonderland. I have also heard from news reports that people from my area (NJ/NYC) have moved there and made it an extension of the hood in some parts, but that other parts were untapped by them. I am most interested in the "untapped" areas.

I just want to own my home for a couple of decades, sell it, and then retire to warm weather. I believe a PA home will allow me to do that.

[ff18wife]

You might want to look into the Milford area...not easily accessible to route 80 but has the train station in Port Jervis which I believe is Metro North?? Can someone else clarify for me?

[AtHomeInThePoconos]

I live in Chestnuthill Township, part of the area we call the "West End (southwestern Monroe County). We're considered an outlying suburban area -- most would consider this to be the suburbs, but there's still a lot of rural atmosphere left. We're within 10 minutes of Rt. 80 or Rt. 33, and have many of the shopping and services we need in Brodheadsville and easy access to major shopping/services in Stroudsburg and the Lehigh Valley. Also, since we're south of Rt. 80, we're outside of the major snow belt -- no small consideration for a commuter!

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

Originally Posted by ff18wife

You might want to look into the Milford area...not easily accessible to route 80 but has the train station in Port Jervis which I believe is Metro North?? Can someone else clarify for me?

Yes, FF - the train is in Port Jervis. The line is New Jersey Transit which leases Metro-North equipment. Metro North owns the station and NJ Transit operates the trains. It is a tough communte. I did it one day a week for some time, but there were people that do it every day.

[roxxy38]

If your intending on a daily commute to NYC your in for a long haul. Its tough to commute. But if your looking to find a summer place or weekend place then its doable. I live in the Hideout and just came back from a friends party. I am saying this because most of the people there had to go back to the city tomorrow or tonight. Its tough enough going back after a weekend, and its even tougher to do it daily. You really need to do it for a month. Try renting for a month and see how it feels before commiting to a full time home. The worse that could happen is that you wont commit too much of your money and just get a weekend retreat.

Good luck in your decision!!

[HeckOutOfNJ]

Originally Posted by roxxy38

If your intending on a daily commute to NYC your in for a long haul. Its tough to commute. But if your looking to find a summer place or weekend place then its doable. I live in the Hideout and just came back from a friends party. I am saying this because most of the people there had to go back to the city tomorrow or tonight. Its tough enough going back after a weekend, and its even tougher to do it daily. You really need to do it for a month. Try renting for a month and see how it feels before commiting to a full time home. The worse that could happen is that you wont commit too much of your money and just get a weekend retreat.

Good luck in your decision!!

Yeah, I am starting to get visions of the commute I made to Greenwich, CT from Newark. Anywhere from 45-90 minutes depending on traffic and/or if I took the ferry, bus, train to work. After 3 months, my body gave way, and this was 7 years ago. I am thinking I can do it, as I'm thinking maybe I can carpool with some people when I get there, and I know I'd have have to get up extremely early just to avoid the parking lot. If I could pull it off, then it would be great, but I really have to study my options before I can go through that pain. I just don't know if I can do it, but I'm willing to give it another go. I really have to do my homework on this one.

[poconoproud]

I'm a West-Ender, too...and it is a nice place to live..a bit rural...but I'm in Ross Township (one of lowest tax bases in Monroe County, Chestnuthill Twp is one of highest). For me to get to rt 80, I would drive for 12-15 minutes.

The West End (Brodheadsville, Effort, Gilbert, Kresgeville, parts of Saylorsburg..and a few other areas) is kind of rural...but it's not too bad. There aren't sidewalks, but stores are all close together along the strips of rt 209 and rt 115. They run parallel to each other and you can access the middle school and high school from both sides. We don't have a department store yet, but there are two grocery stores, two pharmacies, a million car parts places, kfc/tacobell, mcdonalds, burger king, subway and we just got a dunkin donuts and some other shops... For more of a city atmosphere, the malls and department stores, you drive a half an hour in any direction. You can go into Tannersville to the Crossings, or Stroudsburg or East Stroudsburg or Wind Gap or go 45 minutes to go to Allentown.

I also like this area because it is pretty diverse. People of all walks of life around here. Take a ride through and see what you like.

Are you sure you're ready for the commute? that'd be my only worry. It can be stressful and expensive to commute, a disappointment for some who have moved here. When you get here, we want you to stay happy ...

[HeckOutOfNJ]

Originally Posted by AtHomeInThePoconos

I live in Chestnuthill Township, part of the area we call the "West End (southwestern Monroe County). We're considered an outlying suburban area -- most would consider this to be the suburbs, but there's still a lot of rural atmosphere left. We're within 10 minutes of Rt. 80 or Rt. 33, and have many of the shopping and services we need in Brodheadsville and easy access to major shopping/services in Stroudsburg and the Lehigh Valley. Also, since we're south of Rt. 80, we're outside of the major snow belt -- no small consideration for a commuter!

I will keep this in mind...I will most likely do my roadtrip on Friday. Traffic from NJ going into PA should be nil in the morning as the traffic would be eastbound. I will put this on my list for a drive-through (I'd say drive-by, but I can live without the bad offensive jokes lol).