Cheap housing in PA gone?

[filmsniffer]

Originally Posted by Chefkey

Wilkes Barre-Scranton Area is your answer. There is some crime in South Wilkes Barre but it is not a major problem. If you head west of both Wilkes BArre and Scranton you will be in the backwoods. Even if you stay in the valley you can find a great home for much cheaper than almost anywhere in America. If you choose carefully you can find a home for under $100,000 that is in great shape in a good location. I know because I did.

Cool! Looking at maps, I see a few potential areas. Thanks.

[Delray Patty]

Digital Woodshop.....you seem to know a lot about the area....I used to stay
at a place called the Rockview Manor.in Shahola many years ago..My mom
would take the train up from Hoboken, N.J. with my sister and I and we
would stay at this Hotel..it was set up high on top of a mountain and they
would send a "car" to pick us up at the train station....Lots of fond memories
of my summers there. I lived in Pa for 10 years around Marshalls' Creek. Miss
Pa. especially in the summer and fall...If you know about this place I would
love to hear from you I'm sure it is long gone but I always wondered what
is built now on the property. We would go over to Barryville N.Y. to a little
store where they sold lots of "touristy" stuff. moccasins, purses, toys.
Thanks for the pictures. they bring back a lot of memories.

[mams1559]

Originally Posted by filmsniffer

But one thing is, Johnstown is in that area. I hear it's very bad?

It's not the best but very bad is too strong. It is economically depressed at the moment, true; but things are beginning to make a turn for the better. Crime is not as bad as others would lead you to believe. As far as the statistics, you have to realize the Jtwn MSA covers an entire county with lots of towns/twps/boros meaning not everything reported happened in Jtown itself. Could things be better? Yes. They could be better a lot of other places too. Johnstown has a lot of positives, which imho outweigh any of the perceived negatives. I have 2 kids and would not raise them elsewhere. The strong sense of community, family and church are good. The schools in this area are good. You have a nice mix of amenities found in larger areas right here including pro sports, orchestra, plays, theaters, museums, recreation, etc.

Yes, there is crime/drugs which is being battled, but I've lived here 34 years and find it overall quite safe; safer than the suburbs of Pgh, Philly, and Erie. Most of the crime is related to the drugs, which is being fought by the police and the community and is not as apparent/widespread as others tell you it is. You could do a lot worse than Jtown.

[filmsniffer]

Thanks for the explaination, mams. I appreciate it very much. Things are going well in looking for a property.