is milford a good place to raise a family? (Allentown: real estate, rent)

[deeds]

wondering if anyone has info on milford. visited there and seems pretty quiet. do they have good school systems?.......it did seem somewhat touristy?.......thanks

[ScranBarre]

Milford, and Pike County in general, are to be considered very safe, tranquil, and serene. The town itself can get congested at times during the weekends in summer when the "New Yahkers" and "New Joisey" folk come up to stroll around a bit and scout out real estate, but crime remains very low here. Pike County is becoming a popular alternative to people seeking to live in the Pocono Mountains but are turned off by the sprawl and high crime in neighboring Monroe County.

The Delaware Valley School District serves the Milford Area, and from what I hear from other locals on other message boards, it is above-average in academic achievement. Milford is a bit "touristy", like you alluded to, but it's not nearly as big of a draw as, per se, Jim Thorpe, New Hope, or Stroudsburg are. Granted, Pike County is the fastest-growing county in our state, so this growth won't be coming without its "growing pains" in the next few years (Traffic concerns, water runoff issues from sprawl, larger class sizes, higher taxes, etc.) but for now Pike County is a great area to call home.

Jobs here are scarce; Be prepared to commute around 45 minutes into NJ, NY, or Scranton for skilled employment opportunities. I-84 is nearby and can make a commute into the Hudson Valley of NY (Newburgh, Middletown, etc.) feasible from Milford. As far as shopping is concerned, Milford and Milford Township are both VERY anti-sprawl in character with commercialization, which is a win-win situation for local merchants and local residents who want the village to retain its Victorian charm and identity. However, ugly sprawl is now infesting the Westfall Township and Matamoras areas, about 15 minutes to the north of Milford, and it is here that you'll find Lowe's, Home Depot, Super Wal-Mart, etc.

Overall, the cost-of-living in Pike County is still MUCH lower than it is in nearby NY/NJ and even Monroe County, but it is still higher than, per se, nearby Wayne County, Port Jervis, or Scranton. You can still find an excellent home in Pike County for under $200,000, assuming you're willing to tack on a lengthy commute in order to give your children a better quality of life. For more "urban" conveniences, such as the opera, philharmonic, concerts, minor-league sports, major malls, etc., you'll have to head to Scranton, the area's largest city, about an hour away via I-84 West and I-380 North.

[christina0001]

ditto the previous poster. I grew up just outside of Milford. It's an adorable town. I went to DV for junior and high school; they have lots of college-credit classes for ambitious high schoolers to take, lots of extracurricular activities, teachers were great...I personally was very prepared when I went to college. It is a bit touristy but not overly so; a lot of people pass through on their way to campgrounds and resorts and the grocery store (I think they're still calling it a Grand Union) gets noticably more crowded in the summertime. When you visit, take the time to have dinner on the patio of the Dimmick on a nice summer evening. Milford also has a tiny beach on the Delaware just north of the Milford bridge to NJ that all the local kids love.

[kwiktsi]

Originally Posted by christina0001

ditto the previous poster. I grew up just outside of Milford. It's an adorable town. I went to DV for junior and high school; they have lots of college-credit classes for ambitious high schoolers to take, lots of extracurricular activities, teachers were great...I personally was very prepared when I went to college. It is a bit touristy but not overly so; a lot of people pass through on their way to campgrounds and resorts and the grocery store (I think they're still calling it a Grand Union) gets noticably more crowded in the summertime. When you visit, take the time to have dinner on the patio of the Dimmick on a nice summer evening. Milford also has a tiny beach on the Delaware just north of the Milford bridge to NJ that all the local kids love.

I can tell you that if you are moving from somewhere even remotely "up to date" with lifestyles- Milford is not the place for you. We moved here over a year ago now and can not get over how SLOW everything is here. The roads also need repair almost every where you go- and don't expect the state to pay for damages to your car due to pot holes either, found that out after a $1500 repair bill on our Mercedes due to a pot hole on Log Tavern Rd. Snow removal is awful too- you'd think they'd have that part down by now.

We love it for the peacefulness, but I will go back to upstate Connecticut next move- just as quiet, but normal and modern. Everything here is about 10 years out dated. I did hear good things about schools here and looked forward to raising my family here, but since have reconsidered. I don't think it offers them any "real world" experience and and there is nothing at all for them to do outside of schoolastic activities. Everyone is in their own little world here and I don't want our kids to be that naive also from growing up in a sheltered area like this.

We consider it to be both a learning experience when looking for our next home and an investment- one thing positive is that property value is going up at a pretty decent rate.

[christina0001]

Originally Posted by kwiktsi

The roads also need repair almost every where you go- and don't expect the state to pay for damages to your car due to pot holes either, found that out after a $1500 repair bill on our Mercedes due to a pot hole on Log Tavern Rd. Snow removal is awful too- you'd think they'd have that part down by now.

You get what you pay for...the taxes are much lower there than in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut. Pick your poison.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by christina0001

You get what you pay for...the taxes are much lower there than in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut. Pick your poison.

I strongly agree. We here in PA may have poorer services, but we also have more "spending power", as less of our dollars are sent to the government via property taxes than in NJ, NY, and CT. If we wanted superior services, then our tax rates would likely be just as high as the "expensive" areas that others are currently fleeing from in droves.

[kwiktsi]

The only thing is- you *need* more spending dollars the way a lot of the local mom and pop's gouge you with pricing. I know it is the best they can do with the minimal discounts they get compared to the "box" stores, and they are just trying to make a living and run an honest business- BUT as a consumer, I prefer to spend less if possible for the same items. Don't even get me going on the quality of the food we have gotten from the local Mr. Z's- it is well worth the drive to the Matamoras Price Chopper for produce, meats and deli items!!

It is nice paying less in taxes- but between that and community dues (we looked for something outside a HOA, but there isn't much ), we aren't *that* much cheaper for taxes then other places, but the service is awful- both what PA offers and Conashaugh (where we live) is utterly horrible. I don't think I have seen one finished project since I moved here. They just tend to tear stuff up, make a mess and leave it . We asked some locals before moving about the area and they raved about it- we have since learned that they have a much, MUCH different way of life than what we are accustomed to, so their idea of great is completely different from ours.

It is a beautiful area to live in, but absolutely nothing to do, shopping, dining, etc. locally isn't the greatest and as mentioned the road maintance is poor. As is the electricity, telephone and cable- I have been told by several techs with each department that the equiptment is severely outdated. I swear, if the wind blows the wrong way- something stops working lol. I just hope it improves over the next few years, or we are leaving.

Heh- believe it or not, *I'm* the one who is positive about this move- the wife will go pick up the U-haul right now if I said ok- she absolutely hates it here .
Joe

[christina0001]

Joe, the phone company has told my mother the same thing about the phone equipment, that it is sorely outdated. She lives in Dingmans. When we first moved there, in 1990, our area had no cable television! My father immediately went up and down Milford Rd., putting a petition together for cable TV. All but 2 residents signed, and we got cable, I think after about a year of living there.
I would encourage anyone living there, to attend your local municipality meetings to voice your concerns.
I also wouldn't want to live there again; it's nice to visit but I need more to do, and the job market for what my husband and I do is poor there. However, I personally would be willing to deal with potholes and such for the lower taxes. I rent here in NJ, and our roads for the most part are immaculate, but most of my coworkers are paying $600 - $800 PER MONTH in taxes ALONE. No thank you!

[kwiktsi]

Yeah, I have heard from someone with the phone company that the equipment used is so outdated that they cannot get supplies new any longer for maintanance and they have to buy from other phone companies that have updated. Dunno how true it is, but he said it can be a real hassle at times.

As for the potholes and such, I am a car guy, am meticulous with my cars and love driving- so to me that is a huge deal. I would rather pay more for better roads and prevent conditions that can cause damage, nicks, dings, etc. on my cars then less and have them get all beat up like they do here. Even worse is I see a lot of times when they do repairs on the roads- they will dig it up, make a mess and leave for the day without leaving signs up- happened a few times on Log Tavern road. Driving down the road and all of a sudden, there is a 12" wide section of pavement missing going accross the road (think they were doing drainage/culvert work recently) that abruptly drops 2" if not more. I literally have friends that refuse to visit after coming here a couple of times. Not my thing I guess. I prefer strip malls and neon to trees, bugs and out houses lol.
Joe

[Summering]

Originally Posted by kwiktsi

I can tell you that if you are moving from somewhere even remotely "up to date" with lifestyles- Milford is not the place for you. We moved here over a year ago now and can not get over how SLOW everything is here. The roads also need repair almost every where you go- and don't expect the state to pay for damages to your car due to pot holes either, found that out after a $1500 repair bill on our Mercedes due to a pot hole on Log Tavern Rd. Snow removal is awful too- you'd think they'd have that part down by now.

We love it for the peacefulness, but I will go back to upstate Connecticut next move- just as quiet, but normal and modern. Everything here is about 10 years out dated. I did hear good things about schools here and looked forward to raising my family here, but since have reconsidered. I don't think it offers them any "real world" experience and and there is nothing at all for them to do outside of schoolastic activities. Everyone is in their own little world here and I don't want our kids to be that naive also from growing up in a sheltered area like this.

We consider it to be both a learning experience when looking for our next home and an investment- one thing positive is that property value is going up at a pretty decent rate.

This is why I do not suggest Milford and Dingmans to people.
I checked there first myself, when leaving New Jersey. My girls made me turn right around.
I love peace and quiet........but........I love also to have action places close by. The peacefullness is up there, no question on that. But, I need more then the few stores in Milford. There has to be some outlets for kids, so they can be active during the non school times.
Here in Brodheadsville, we have a peaceful setting, large lots of land, and a great location. Right in our town or within a 5 min. distance are........
Three dancing schools
Four Karate Schools
One climbing, soccer gym
An Adults workout gym.
A huge, new, inviting library with kid friendly days.
A park that just held a 2story high "drive-in" outdoor movie this week. Free
A bowling Alley
48 Hour Video store
Imagination Zone, for kids to climb, and crawl in tubes........while mothers can sit and do their laptop, or homework, as kids stay busy.
Within a short distance 20 min......is Beltzville lake for swimming, boating.
Hickory Run state park, for picnics, swimming, camping
The Regal Cinemas 14 ........down 33 on 248.
Plus we are not far from Stroudsburg shopping, Tannersville Outlets,
The Palmer Mall, Lehigh Mall and Music shows and concerts at Wilkes
Barre Arena.
Kids in this area go to Open Farm day, and visit the farms.....they go the Discovery Place in Allentown. They go to the Crayola Factory in Easton.
They head for Hershey, Steamtown, Lancaster, Lahaska and the Giggleberry Place for kids.
Another plus is having Lehigh Airport not all that far.
There is a thing about being isolated, and being overly isolated............
As this poster has stated above.
I find I can't lead people into being overly isolated. I know its pretty up there and I know some enjoy that. But, IMO......there has to be more for kids and even for parents in terms of enjoyment.