Mid-Point Pittsburgh/Philadelphia: Off the Beaten Track (Scranton, Harrisburg: houses, buy)

[teoteodore]

Help us to narrow our search in relocating from NYC to Pennsylvania:

1. Neither my wife nor I need to work and therefore have no need to commute to any metropolis/airport/etc. and might infrequently (semi-annually) travel back to NYC or onto Chicago etc.

2. We both like the hills/mountains and cooler weather ... not skiing, but more walking, cycling, camping --- nature trails,etc.

3. We'd like to find a 4+ BR/ 3+ bath house on about 1/2-3/4 acres in or near a small town --- town with historic charm would be great, but at least a town center with some quaintness (not over developed with a Walmart as it's hub).

4. House price range $350,000 to $550,000 ... and would want something older 75+ years rather than new or in a sub-development.

5. Not a place close enough to either Pittsburgh or Phila that the town or surroundings would be overrun every weekend.

6. Hopefully, and this needs more research, we'd like to find someplace where we aren't viewed as the newcomers for the rest of our lives --- so places with a strong religious biase or ethnicity might not work for us. ...Friends move to Virginia 20 years ago and are still called Yankees

[Marodi]

I'd shoot for somewhere south central but I don't know any houses that have both age and price range you are looking for. They are either new and in your price range, or old and mid 200 or lower with not as many rooms.

[untuchableface]

Montrose, PA sounds like it might be something you'd like. Small town with a green as it's center. It's in the northeast corner of PA. Lots of mountains and beautiful scenery. And you can get a lot of house there for $550,000. Most of them are older homes with a history.

3 hours to NYC
3 hours to Philly
6 hours to Pittsburgh

[danwxman]

Harrisburg outskirts (maybe a place like Carlisle, Shippensburg) would be good for you. Lots of newcomers around here. But a far enough distance from Philly/Baltimore that there aren't too many commuters (1 1/2 hrs from Philly, 1 hour from Balt).

[ScranBarre]

Lewisburg, PA sounds like a great option for you to consider. It's situated near the geographic center of Pennsylvania to make it convenient to other areas.

Philadelphia: 2 hrs., 45 mins.
Pittsburgh: 3 hrs., 45 mins.
New York City: 3 hrs.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre: 1 hr., 25 mins.
Harrisburg: 1 hr., 15 mins.

Lewisburg is a college town home to Bucknell University and has a main drag that is quite similar to Bedford Falls from "It's a Wonderful Life." The town has a restored small theater, major recreational park, hospital, and plenty of mom-and-pop stores and restaurants, along with some "big-box" offerings just outside of town like a Wal-Mart Supercenter, Staples, and an upcoming Target. There are many annual festivals held here that attract people from surrounding communities such as Williamsport, Bloomsburg, and State College.

I snapped a photo tour of Lewisburg, which can be found here:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...hoto-tour.html

Lewisburg is located just off of I-80, which makes it a straight-shot three hours west of New York City. It truly is a great town with a lot of Victorian architecture to enjoy.

[ScranBarre]

A home in Lewisburg in your price range might resemble this:





4130 Buffalo Road, Buffalo Township, Lewisburg
$352,800
3 BR, 2 BA, 2,366 Sq. Ft., 1 Acre, Built in 1840




302 North 3rd Street, Lewisburg
$450,000
6 BR, 5 BA, 3,397 Sq. Ft., 0.20 Acre, Built in 1850

[Katiana]

There are lots of little towns in Central PA that might work for you. Bloomsburg is another college town; also Shippensburg. Chambersburg is not a college town, but cute. Too hot in summer IMO, but that's just me. Great Appalachian Trail access. Sunbury comes to mind as well.

[CaptainObvious]

You've just described the town of Ligonier to a T. Check it out.

1. Its not near anything, so you're in luck.

2. Its smack in the middle of the Appalacian Mountains. TONS of hiking and biking trails around.

3. Historic charm out the wazooooo. Great traditional "downtown" area.

4. Its hard to find a "sub-development" in the area, and $500,000 would buy you about anything you'd want in the area.

5. It is not a tourist destination for either Pittsburghers or Philadelphians.

6. Ligonier is so small and sleepy, I don't think anyone would blink an eye that you moved there. Nice folks from what I can tell.

Not the best pic in the world, but a small taste of what you'd be in for... http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv1432.php

Cap

[pinetar10]

i agree with ligonier being a good choice. its located off of route 30, which gives access to pittsburgh and greensburg to the west and also goes the whole way across the state to the east.

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

You've just described the town of Ligonier to a T. Check it out.

1. Its not near anything, so you're in luck.

2. Its smack in the middle of the Appalacian Mountains. TONS of hiking and biking trails around.

3. Historic charm out the wazooooo. Great traditional "downtown" area.

4. Its hard to find a "sub-development" in the area, and $500,000 would buy you about anything you'd want in the area.

5. It is not a tourist destination for either Pittsburghers or Philadelphians.

6. Ligonier is so small and sleepy, I don't think anyone would blink an eye that you moved there. Nice folks from what I can tell.

Not the best pic in the world, but a small taste of what you'd be in for... http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv1432.php

Cap

[Smoker]

Another vote for Ligonier.