I know all about the POCONOS!!! ASK ME!! (Pocono Pines, Monroe: tax, place to live)

[MollyMe]

Originally Posted by searchin4home

Molly, can you tell me about the tobyhanna area? Is it nice or a place to stay away from? I'm looking to move and at this point it will either be the lancaster area or somewhere up near the poconos but not as far as scranton or wilkes barre. Way too far. Need to be no farther than a few hours from philly. would love to live in Bethlehem but the housing is very expensive.

Tobyhanna is not the safest place to be. There are many nicer areas than that. Lancaster IS very nice. Hawley Hamlin is a bit further up--about 40 minutes north of Tobyhanna. Best bet---my opinoin...is Lancaster...or Norristown too.

[momma6]

Your from LI, right? Can you tell me pros & cons of PA, as opposed to LI?? Of course we are looking for a better lifestyle and to be able to save $$. Looking to move to PA from LI..East stroudsburg or surrounding areas. Any nice developments or areas you can recommend?Homes for around $250-300k? Heard about problems with Marcel Lake estates..the sewage problem..would like to avoid that. Although we would rent for a while anyway before buying. Also do you have ideas on places/houses to rent?? I couldn't find anything! Husband will commute to NYC area, so we need something within commuter distance. I would like to maybe substitute/teach in the schools, once we get settled. I have my NYS certification, also wondering if I could use it there??

[searchin4home]

Originally Posted by MollyMe

Tobyhanna is not the safest place to be. There are many nicer areas than that. Lancaster IS very nice. Hawley Hamlin is a bit further up--about 40 minutes north of Tobyhanna. Best bet---my opinoin...is Lancaster...or Norristown too.

Thanks Molly, I had no idea that Tobyhanna was not a good area. I'm so glad I ran into this forum because I was looking at a home in that area and had no idea that it was not safe.

You also recommend Norristown? I heard that was not a good area. Is there maybe another Norristown? I'm thinking of the Norristown that is in Montgomery county.

[MollyMe]

NOrristown from what I know is nice some parts are Pricey$$. It's near King of Prussia and the big mall.

[MollyMe]

Originally Posted by momma6

Your from LI, right? Can you tell me pros & cons of PA, as opposed to LI?? Of course we are looking for a better lifestyle and to be able to save $$. Looking to move to PA from LI..East stroudsburg or surrounding areas. Any nice developments or areas you can recommend?Homes for around $250-300k? Heard about problems with Marcel Lake estates..the sewage problem..would like to avoid that. Although we would rent for a while anyway before buying. Also do you have ideas on places/houses to rent?? I couldn't find anything! Husband will commute to NYC area, so we need something within commuter distance. I would like to maybe substitute/teach in the schools, once we get settled. I have my NYS certification, also wondering if I could use it there??

Well I'm from Levittown. Difference... Hahhah...big time. Some of the obvious.
Depending on the neighborhoods...some things like Mc D's and gas stations and food stores are far from home...far being...8 -12 miles--to just get milk.

ITs getting built up which has its pros/cons--the towns around here were not built with such NEW developments (stores on 611) and traffic in Marshall creek..so the roads once less traveled have a lot of.TRAFFIC on weekends!! I avoid "TOWN" on the weekends.

Check out Martz Trailways.com for commuting information and look near towns near the bus stations. and to get the prices for tickets. Renting is the BEST idea!!!

Best areas...what makes a neighborhood best--what are YOU looking for????

There are MANY different personal opinons on this forum.

My hubby commutes everyday to NYC via the bus....5:20 AM and leaves on the 5:20 PM. In the winter time he never sees daylight in PENNSYLVANIA. (only on the weekends) and how many times can you call in as Snow Day when in NYC its just raining...make sure your boss is ok with that.

I also am NYS certified teacher...note the NYS ONLY....sooo....be sure to look into getting recertified for pennsylvania...although catholic schools don't care what state cert you are...they also pay you peanuts and prayers.

AND YOU WON't SAVE MONEY MOVING TO PENNSYLVANIA!!! Taxes are going up here too...just slower... But MILK--is MILK--same cost. The ONLY thing you will initaily save on is the price of the home!! But once you move in--you will be in the same boat you were in on LONG ISLAND. There are some stupid hidden costs you don't even think about when you move...one that comes to mind is YOu gotta pay to get your garbage picked up every week. Also--get a snow blower--a must! Gasssss is spent just driving to the mall...things are far apart (but again--depending on the area and ruralness). And new homes need some landscaping and LIGHTS--no street lights--living in the woods is kinda scary so outside lights are needed...and maybe you want a dog...you really should get a fence....and on an acre of land--thats a lot of fence--LOL

[I LOVE PA!]

I just don't understand why people say it is only the price of the home that you save on.
When I moved here 14 years ago, the following bills were cut in 1/2....cable, electric, dance class, car insurance, home owners insurance. Relative of mine still pay twice what I pay for car insurance, home owners insurance and cable and electric. Kids activities are definitely much more on L.I. Going out to eat is way cheaper here. While Real Estate taxes are going up, depending on the area...it is still WAY cheaper than L.I. My relatives joked when they stopped at a dinner locally and got a burger and fries for $5.00. You would easily pay $10. or more in a dinner on L.I. for that.
Moving here to Pa greatly improved our quality of life and afforded me to work part time while living in a new beautiful home. We could never have afforded that in N.Y.

[bldginpa]

I LOVE PA!, I couldn't agree with you more. As you know, I currently live on the south shore of Long Island. Just got my general tax bill... now my combined school/general tax bill is now $7450.00 per year! My taxes on a new house in Pike County will be less that 1/2 that. Not to mention, it only cost me $250,000 and it's brand new!. The same house on Long Island would cost at least $650.00 and that wouldn't be on an acre of land.

[bkopicz3]

What year was the Nascar Pocono Speedway Built? Who funded it? Who was the First Nascar driver to win?

[MollyMe]

Originally Posted by bkopicz3

What year was the Nascar Pocono Speedway Built? Who funded it? Who was the First Nascar driver to win?

Sorry dude, I'm a transplant from NY...I ain't no YOCAL--LOCAL....now if you'll excuse me---- I need to put my teeth back in, put on my flannel shirt and go ride my tractor.

[momma6]

Thanks for your reply Molly..we are in centereach, long island..yes, I also heard prices are going up in PA as well....so its a little disheartening...but I think if we can buy a house with little or no mortgage..we would be saving $$ at least on that...What areas /communities would you recommend?? Do you know whats involved with getting PA teaching certification..i heard that I would have to take a test?? Do you know about anything else?? We are still trying to work out the #'s, but we are totally sick of the high cost of living on LI!! We are a big family...... Its just not fair for all of us mid-classer's!! WE'd like OUR kids to some day be able to afford a house...it's not going to happen on LI!!