I know all about the POCONOS!!! ASK ME!! (Stroudsburg, Brodheadsville: hardwood floors, college)

[MollyMe]

Originally Posted by sukihaido

Hi MollyMe,
We may be relocating to the Pocono area from Pittsburgh and I've been doing as much internet research as possible. City-data seems to give more honest perspective of the area versus all the demographic & school information provided on real estate websites. However we will be visiting this weekend to see for ourselves. We will be meeting with an agent to view houses in Tannersville (particularly one in Cobble Creek Estates). After reading many posts, my main concern is the schools. Pocono Mountain appears to be growing exponentially as well as attracting some "undesirables". I have 4 young children (7,6,4,5mo) and obviously want the best for them. Should we consider private school or other areas?

First . Why Tannersville, where are you working?

[sukihaido]

My husband is in sales and will be responsible for the Northeastern part of PA. A friend/co-worker recommended the Pocono area, however we can relocate to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area as well.

[MollyMe]

I'd go with Wayne County area...north of poconos, Along 84. Since traveling is required don't go too far into Wayne county. You'll be convenient to I-476, and 81. (the north/South traveling highways)

But then again, Tannersville is nice too. MY kids go to Pocono Mt.S.D.--no major complaints.

[sukihaido]

THANKS for the suggestion. I'll ask the real estate agent about Wayne county. Anything I should be aware of with Tannersville?

[sukihaido]

THANKS...I'll be sure to look into the Milford area. Any particular neighborhoods to consider?

[oldnerd]

Considering buying a second home/vacation home there - while I live in a fairly rural part of NJ, looking for the lakes and pools for the kids; sledding and tubing in the winter, low traffic so they can bike, etc.

Won't be trying to commute - more of a weekends and vacations thing.

[ff18wife]

I am in Shohola which is NE of Milford. Very rural but you can get a lot for your money and it's part of the Delaware Valley School District which is really good.

Good luck!

[Tapshoe]

Hello, MollyMe and everyone else.....

I wrote some time ago and very much appreciated the detailed replies.

Now, with the passage of time and some considerable more research, I am better able to define my needs. I desperately need direction as to where in PA I should be looking.

I am 57. I live alone with three dogs. I am retired and a white collar crime victim. I've survived a very difficult ordeal and am eager to move to PA for some much needed healing with lots of fleece, hot cocoa and home made soups. My needs are simple now. I need a house, preferably without an association to boss me around as this is something I am fleeing from in northern NJ. I want privacy such that my dogs are not an imposition to a cranky neighbor who will make life miserable. I need a house that is a minimum of 2000 square feet and I need some degree of fenced-in yard for privacy for my dogs. I insist upon a wood burning fireplace and hard wood floors. I'd like low maintenance as I don't want to be worried about painting the exterior of a house and, as I'm alone, I don't want a house in need of many repairs. A terrific kitchen would be a very big plus. I don't much care about social activities right now as I do about having a good supermarket, a competent veterinarian and a stocked public library that will keep me happy for a few years. I don't want to purchase in a very risky area where, if I find I am miserable, I'm unable to sell. I'd prefer something with some degree of character or charm; no bi-level or split level. I don't care about access to NYC although maintaining some degree of access to my support system would be a plus. It seems, however, that moving another hour farther would reduce my costs substantially as I would not be competing with the relocated NY commuters. I would not mind being stranded in a blizzard as I could entertain myself indefinitely. My price range does not exceed $300,000.

Since I don't care about school systems or the job market and do care about personal safety, I seem to prefer newer versus older properties and would love to avoid a development so that I'm not at the mercy of a Board, association fees, public pool, etc., I am eager to have some suggestions. It would be terrific to be within an hour of being able to meet a friend or two who would be willing to have an intelligent conversation with a woman who is alone. In addition, frugal living is attractive to me now.

Thanks so much in advance. )
Sherry



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[MollyMe]

Originally Posted by oldnerd

Considering buying a second home/vacation home there - while I live in a fairly rural part of NJ, looking for the lakes and pools for the kids; sledding and tubing in the winter, low traffic so they can bike, etc.

Won't be trying to commute - more of a weekends and vacations thing.

THE HIDEOUT in HAMLIN--will be perfect.

[MollyMe]

Originally Posted by Tapshoe

Hello, MollyMe and everyone else.....

I wrote some time ago and very much appreciated the detailed replies.

Now, with the passage of time and some considerable more research, I am better able to define my needs. I desperately need direction as to where in PA I should be looking.

I am 57. I live alone with three dogs. I am retired and a white collar crime victim. I've survived a very difficult ordeal and am eager to move to PA for some much needed healing with lots of fleece, hot cocoa and home made soups. My needs are simple now. I need a house, preferably without an association to boss me around as this is something I am fleeing from in northern NJ. I want privacy such that my dogs are not an imposition to a cranky neighbor who will make life miserable. I need a house that is a minimum of 2000 square feet and I need some degree of fenced-in yard for privacy for my dogs. I insist upon a wood burning fireplace and hard wood floors. I'd like low maintenance as I don't want to be worried about painting the exterior of a house and, as I'm alone, I don't want a house in need of many repairs. A terrific kitchen would be a very big plus. I don't much care about social activities right now as I do about having a good supermarket, a competent veterinarian and a stocked public library that will keep me happy for a few years. I don't want to purchase in a very risky area where, if I find I am miserable, I'm unable to sell. I'd prefer something with some degree of character or charm; no bi-level or split level. I don't care about access to NYC although maintaining some degree of access to my support system would be a plus. It seems, however, that moving another hour farther would reduce my costs substantially as I would not be competing with the relocated NY commuters. I would not mind being stranded in a blizzard as I could entertain myself indefinitely. My price range does not exceed $300,000.

Since I don't care about school systems or the job market and do care about personal safety, I seem to prefer newer versus older properties and would love to avoid a development so that I'm not at the mercy of a Board, association fees, public pool, etc., I am eager to have some suggestions. It would be terrific to be within an hour of being able to meet a friend or two who would be willing to have an intelligent conversation with a woman who is alone. In addition, frugal living is attractive to me now.

Thanks so much in advance. )
Sherry



[/font]

FIRST OF ALL BIG HUGS going your way. I think you should just take a nice long drive with the pups--come and get lost in the poconos, feel around for a town that makes you feel good and SAFE. Tell us the name, and we'll give you our opinion of the town.