I know all about the POCONOS!!! ASK ME!! (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: to rent, find a job)

[goldkey]

Hi Molly,
Planning to build in Gold Key Lakes. I know they have a beautiful lake with a beach and resturant. Anything else to add.....pros and/or cons?

[Jane Law]

Hello MollyMe,

Thank you very much for your kind offer of sharing your knowledge of Northeastern, PA.

My husband and I are moving back north from the Nashville area. We need to be fairly close to NYC. Before moving to Nashville we lived in the FaBuLouS Montclair, NJ. We've been gone for 8 years and have watched home prices and living costs sky-rocket in the greater NYC area. Although, prices are coming down there ... we are still interested in checking out PA because it seems people can get a bigger bang for their buck.

I have SO many questions ... where to begin ...

We want a contemporary home in a desirable or economically stable community. Where do we look? What towns should I be looking in for such a contemporary? Do you know of any good builders vs. the ones who built homes we should stay away from? Which is the better commute ... from Monroe Cty. or Pikes Cty or whatever Cty.? We are both professional artists/ muscians who thrive on aesthetics - what towns or communities would appeal to us? Are the stories about gangs/ violence/ and drugs true??? If so, what areas are like this? How bad has the commute to NYC become? Is it a buyer's or a seller's market? Are prices in the Poconos dropping?

Thank you very, very much! This is so appreciated as I plan to be making a trip up there to begin looking in a few weeks.

[kmom]

Dear Molly,

Are there any areas which will make a Chinese family feel very welcomed?

No, we are not from China, we are chinese-Singaporeans

[MollyMe]

OK OK Let me review and answer some questions. LOL

GoldKey ---hmmm, I never heard of it but did a search, I thought this was a nice home.. Homes for Sale in Gold Key Lakes Estates, Milford, Pennsylvania $229,000

Gold Key Lake and Country Club
2000 Gold Key Lakes
Milford, PA 18337

Country Club 570-686-3811
Security 570-686-3636
Fire Department 570-686-3696
Maintenance 570-686-1541

Large main lake plus 2 small lakes

Activities include: fishing, swimming, ball field, tennis, clubhouse, seasonal restaurant.

Association Dues: Home: $1025.00 per year
Lot: $675.00

and there are covenants within the community
Gold Key Deed Restrictions (broken link)

so have a good read.

[MollyMe]

JaneLaw

Well I read the zillion questions...LOL

Prices in PA have gone down. I would say its a Buyers Market. Gangs/Crimes are everywhere in the US...but be sure to stay away from Pocono Country Place in Tobyhanna. MY OPINON (SORRY TO ANYBODY OFFENDED)!!
Commute??? Car or Bus?? expect 2-3 hours during 6-9am
Builders: don't build with Coastal(tannersville)

Good luck.

[MollyMe]

kmom- I think you will be welcomed most anywhere in Pennsylvania...My husband is half-Philipino and has had no problems. Welcome.

[Summering]

Originally Posted by Jane Law

Hello MollyMe,

Thank you very much for your kind offer of sharing your knowledge of Northeastern, PA.

My husband and I are moving back north from the Nashville area. We need to be fairly close to NYC. Before moving to Nashville we lived in the FaBuLouS Montclair, NJ. We've been gone for 8 years and have watched home prices and living costs sky-rocket in the greater NYC area. Although, prices are coming down there ... we are still interested in checking out PA because it seems people can get a bigger bang for their buck.

I have SO many questions ... where to begin ...

We want a contemporary home in a desirable or economically stable community. Where do we look? What towns should I be looking in for such a contemporary? Do you know of any good builders vs. the ones who built homes we should stay away from? Which is the better commute ... from Monroe Cty. or Pikes Cty or whatever Cty.? We are both professional artists/ muscians who thrive on aesthetics - what towns or communities would appeal to us? Are the stories about gangs/ violence/ and drugs true??? If so, what areas are like this? How bad has the commute to NYC become? Is it a buyer's or a seller's market? Are prices in the Poconos dropping?

Thank you very, very much! This is so appreciated as I plan to be making a trip up there to begin looking in a few weeks.

Just to add a little to Mollys great answers........
You will find contemporary in Penn Est. don't go there.........I lived in one of those wonderful homes for a time. It just is not a pleasant place to live anymore. I also agree with Molly no PCP.......lots of bad going on there.
Plus, no upkeep of many of the homes.
There is headlines now this week on Country Club of the Poconos, how people thought they owned their properties, their land.......and now are finding out they don't. Quite an involved mess........and here they have a home on the land now. They don't possiablly even own the footprint!
Grant builders build a solid home and also Anderson builders..........
Stay away from a name that use to be a "birds" name and is now an "indian"....lots of news paper reports on this builder.
Have a good lawyer read over your deed........watch everything you sign.
For a good solid neighborhood not far from more urban area that surround it........I think you might like Lake Naomi .........A good solid community, some contemporary homes......Possiably Emerald Lakes, nice lake and contemp homes .
Its a buyers market........
I use to visit Monclair.........and yes, homes are way, way up in price there.
I lived in NJ most of my life, and in the Poconos 13 years.
If you need a good, friendly realtor.......PM me.......I know of one.
Hope this helps.......
Those are the two places I was thinking you'd seem to like, for that type of home and for a secure community.

[Bagldot]

Originally Posted by Jane Law

Hello MollyMe,

Thank you very much for your kind offer of sharing your knowledge of Northeastern, PA.

My husband and I are moving back north from the Nashville area. We need to be fairly close to NYC. Before moving to Nashville we lived in the FaBuLouS Montclair, NJ. We've been gone for 8 years and have watched home prices and living costs sky-rocket in the greater NYC area. Although, prices are coming down there ... we are still interested in checking out PA because it seems people can get a bigger bang for their buck.

I have SO many questions ... where to begin ...

We want a contemporary home in a desirable or economically stable community. Where do we look? What towns should I be looking in for such a contemporary? Do you know of any good builders vs. the ones who built homes we should stay away from? Which is the better commute ... from Monroe Cty. or Pikes Cty or whatever Cty.? We are both professional artists/ muscians who thrive on aesthetics - what towns or communities would appeal to us? Are the stories about gangs/ violence/ and drugs true??? If so, what areas are like this? How bad has the commute to NYC become? Is it a buyer's or a seller's market? Are prices in the Poconos dropping?

Thank you very, very much! This is so appreciated as I plan to be making a trip up there to begin looking in a few weeks.

_______________________________--

We currently live in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield, so I know Montclair well - and have a familiarity with the Poconos. To tell you the truth, the only 2 places I would compare to Montclair would be either Honesdale, or Scranton. Honesdale is a quiet little country community set between the Poconos and Scranton, with small retail stores along a main street, and many Victorian houses in the town. THere's a photo tour somewhere on this board that shows the hightlights of Honesdale, you may want to look it up. There seems to be an artistic community here as well, with many street fairs during the year.

As for Scranton, you'll find many grand old Victorian Houses similar to Montclair with that neighborhood feel, but you won't be in the country. You will however, have access to several colleges and more arts. It all depends on what you're looking for. I can tell you - no matter where you choose, you'll certainly get a lot more for your money than in NJ.

Good LucK!

[Summering]

Originally Posted by Bagldot

_______________________________--

We currently live in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield, so I know Montclair well - and have a familiarity with the Poconos. To tell you the truth, the only 2 places I would compare to Montclair would be either Honesdale, or Scranton. Honesdale is a quiet little country community set between the Poconos and Scranton, with small retail stores along a main street, and many Victorian houses in the town. THere's a photo tour somewhere on this board that shows the hightlights of Honesdale, you may want to look it up. There seems to be an artistic community here as well, with many street fairs during the year.

As for Scranton, you'll find many grand old Victorian Houses similar to Montclair with that neighborhood feel, but you won't be in the country. You will however, have access to several colleges and more arts. It all depends on what you're looking for. I can tell you - no matter where you choose, you'll certainly get a lot more for your money than in NJ.

Good LucK!

Hi yes, for Victorian homes Scranton is a good match.......
But, I think she said she is interested in Contemporary. These are usually
more modern, with unusual windows, peaks, and style.
I love the town of Scranton, especially the shopping in Dickson City.
Also love attending the events in Wilkes Barre. But, if she is looking for the contemporary home style........then Lake Naomi and Emerald Lakes are pretty solid communities......Naomi being first on the list.
Neither would be all that far from any events happening in Scranton, or Wilkes.
Scranton would be the closest match to Montclair, thats for sure.........if she wants that type of town. But, minus contemp. homes.

[gpmama]

Hi Molly! I presently live in Philadelphia which is going way down. My husband and I are thinking about moving to the Poconos, we have 2 small children. I was told Towamensing Trails? is a nice area. The hubby has grandparents in Indian Mountain and its too secluded for me. Is the Poconos a good place to raise a family, schools, crime, anything you can tell me would be great. Also, do you know of any other areas in the Poconos that would be nice. I also don't want to be too far from school and stores. Sorry this is so long, but this is a big move for me and want to get others opinions. Thanks..