NJ fam. looking for get-away home in Poconos, lotsa questions (Wilson: HOA, how much) - Northeastern Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania (PA) -Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pocono area - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

r11 · 09-20-2010, 06:25 AM

Went to Wallenpaupack on Sat. Ride was fairly pleasant us having started nice and early.

Saw some properties by the big lake. I guess lake is such an attraction to all power boat loving people that the communities we saw had their houses stacked closer to ea o than houses here where I live in NJ

. Wife didnt like it none too much.

We decided to drive around on our own, going south from the lake. I got us a map and off we went. Came across Pocono Springs (on 196?), got a listing of properties for sale from the guard at the gate, will call our agent to get some appts. Couldn't enter the community as it is gated.

Next one we came across is Big Bass Lake (on 507). Same thing, got a list of properties for sale.

What do folx here feel about Bass Lake and Pocono Springs ? Any gotchas etc ?

I think we shall stay away from Straudsbourg and Bushkill areas ? Latter is right in the DWG but property taxes are simply through the roof (some some in 5K area ... almost channels NJ).

Riverside4ever · 09-20-2010, 06:30 AM

Great area's But Both are community's .. Ive lived in a few , They all stink.. We own a tract of land now and would NEVER EVER buy in a community , . You can do as you wish but I would suggest you buy a house outside of one.. Go a little further north , Its MUCH nicer past Hamlin where 196/191 becomes 296

DavidWebb · 09-20-2010, 06:43 AM

Also keep in mind that although your ride was "pleasant us having started nice and early"...some weekends it may not be the case if it's a holiday weekend...especially in the Marshall's Creek area...Rt. 209 being a two lane road can get pretty congested on weekends and going to the local store for milk/eggs or what have ya can easily turn into a 1/2 hour or more ride...anywhere north or south of Stroudsburg and DWG are good...I live in Saylorsburg and am approx. 15-20 minutes from Stroudsburg away from the madness but close enough if I need to shop down there and I'm also 5-10 minutes from Rt. 33 for commuting...keep researching as much as you can before you make a decision and if at all possible stay away from gated communities...you'll find plenty of reasons why here on the board if you search for "gated communities" or "A Pocono Country Place" for example...good luck!!

memoriesbre · 09-20-2010, 12:09 PM

I love Lakeville and Lake Wallenpaupack. Boating is great and so is the area. Lackawaxen is also very nice! You can find some nice properties up in Honesdale too

LNTT_Vacationer · 09-21-2010, 06:28 AM

Make sure you identify what *you* want - there is nothing wrong with communities -- even gated ones, if that's what you desire. There are many that were built to appeal to the thousands of buyers such as you looking for a weekend vacation getaway.

You'll have added fees for the community's amenities (pool, tennis, golf, skiing, lake, gate manning, etc.) and some restrictions on property usage; virtually all of which are entirely reasonable to someone coming from a townhome in northern nj. If you buy outside a community you won't have these costs or amenities. . . but you can use state parks for swimming, boating etc.

fwiw, since you mentioned swimming, Wallenpaupack is a beautiful lake that we love visiting but it is a power boating lake and not very swimmer friendly. I believe swimming is virtually forbidden except for one small beach area.

Riverside4ever · 09-21-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNTT_Vacationer

Make sure you identify what *you* want - there is nothing wrong with communities -- even gated ones, if that's what you desire. There are many that were built to appeal to the thousands of buyers such as you looking for a weekend vacation getaway.

You'll have added fees for the community's amenities (pool, tennis, golf, skiing, lake, gate manning, etc.) and some restrictions on property usage; virtually all of which are entirely reasonable to someone coming from a townhome in northern nj. If you buy outside a community you won't have these costs or amenities. . . but you can use state parks for swimming, boating etc.

fwiw, since you mentioned swimming, Wallenpaupack is a beautiful lake that we love visiting but it is a power boating lake and not very swimmer friendly. I believe swimming is virtually forbidden except for one small beach area.

If you own your own land you can put a pool in your yard , and NOT have to share it with The community's children, You can Build your own pond if you have a machine ( backhoe) You can also , Paint , stain or side your house ANY color you want . AND not have to pay the POA a fee to let you work on your own house . Ive lived in community's , They are not good for anyone , Wanna live behind a gate , Then BUILD ONE around your house . In a community you have no say .. You can also join any YMCA and use their facility's and it will STILL BE CHEAPER then your yearly Dues to a community

okaydorothy · 09-21-2010, 08:44 AM

We have a place in WLE. While in the perfect world, I would love 8-10 acres, right now its not a perfect world for us. So a community is what suits us best for now. I like the fact that I do have neighbours who watch my house while I am away, but yet when we get there they are not in my face. I like the fact that there are amenities for the kids to do.

Communities are not for everyone, but they are good for some people. Ours is a small house, but nobody can build on two sides as it is next to a sanctuary. We still get the bears, bobcats, owls etc.

Riverside4ever · 09-21-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okaydorothy

We have a place in WLE. While in the perfect world, I would love 8-10 acres, right now its not a perfect world for us. So a community is what suits us best for now. I like the fact that I do have neighbours who watch my house while I am away, but yet when we get there they are not in my face. I like the fact that there are amenities for the kids to do.

Communities are not for everyone, but they are good for some people. Ours is a small house, but nobody can build on two sides as it is next to a sanctuary. We still get the bears, bobcats, owls etc.

Why do you need neighbors to watch your place when your away ? Is the community having problems with break ins? Or is security too busy with their radar guns writing tickets for going 3 mph over the speed limits .

LNTT_Vacationer · 09-21-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverside4ever

You can also , Paint , stain or side your house ANY color you want .

Given the same for you neighbor, is this an HOA pro or con?

If having a home color completely out of norm with reasonable neighborly standards is of great importance, I fully agree that an hoa is a bad idea.

IMO, private pools aren't practicable for a weekend getaway. Much less cost advantageous to hoa fees.

Irish Eyes · 09-21-2010, 11:02 AM

I love how people think all communities are the same. I'm in Towamensing Trails and people have private pools. There are also two houses on opposite sides of the street that are painted hideous colors. In many communities I guess you have the freedom to make your house as ugly as you want. But feel free to keep singing this tired, old song.

OP - Look at the area between exit 284 on I80 and the town of Jim Thorpe. 940, 903 and 534. Try Lake Harmony, Big Boulder, JF and the developments on 903. Plenty of private homes in that area as well. I like Jim Thorpe but the houses are close together. I prefer being in proximity to it, but not living there. They have a big fall foliage festival 3 weekends in October - maybe you can check out the area then. When in Jim Thorpe you can also go to the bike trail by the Lehigh Gorge. Beautiful for biking or cross country skiing in the winter. You can also white water raft or kayak there.