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Northeastern Pennsylvania Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pocono area
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Old 03-03-2014, 12:23 PM
 
7 posts, read 11,753 times
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Hello, new poster here. My husband and I both got jobs with Geisinger Wilkes-Barre and we are excited to move to either the Dallas area or Clarks Summit, based on ratings of the school systems for our 2 kids (1 middle school, 1 high school).

We are coming from NJ, but we are not NJ natives and have always vacationed in PA and wanted to move there for a less hectic, more rural life and more space for our dogs. Winter and winter driving does not bother us - both originally from cold climates.

More than anything, I want my kids to fit in and make friends. This is our first move with kids. Any thoughts out there regarding which school system would make for an easier transition for "new kids?" Sports would not be huge for them, they are more the quiet, computer club kinds of kids. However, they both snowboard and Elk has been our favorite mountain for years (one vote for Clarks Summit)

Is either area better for riding bikes to friends' houses?

Is Misericordia University an asset to consider in Dallas, like for cultural things?


And one quick house question -- a number of house listings we have seen online say "heat pump" as type of heating. We have no experience with these other than a neighbor in Baltimore 20 years ago telling us never to buy a house with a heat pump! Any reason to avoid these? (only ever had natural gas, forced hot air)

Thanks in advance to anyone who can advise us! We will finish school year in NJ, but would like to start house hunt soon.
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Old 03-03-2014, 02:04 PM
 
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Have you considered the Crestwood School District in Mountaintop? Much closer to the Geisinger Wyoming Valley complex than Dallas/back mountain.

Established areas in the back mountain and Crestwood have access to natural gas. If the houses are connected to public sewers, then they should have natural gas at the curb. You can check at UGI - Gas Availability Inquiry. Heat pumps are an OK alternative if nat gas is not available.

Abington Heights S.D. is at least a 45 minute commute to Geisinger and possibly more depending on the traffic through and south of Clarks Summit to the entrance of I-81. The homes on acreage tend to be much farther out towards Lake Winola and Factoryville and entail a longer commute.
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Old 03-04-2014, 07:47 AM
 
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Thank you for the advice, Wells5. Had a feeling the Abington commute would be pushing it...we've only tested the drive on weekends with little traffic. As for Crestwood schools, it is a good suggestion. A woman I'd met during my interview process has kids in Crestwood SD and told me she was unhappy and was looking to move into the Dallas SD, and that scared me off. Granted, it is one person's opinion, and we will visit all the schools and gather what info we can for ourselves.
Another person we met at Geisinger lives in Shavertown, which is Dallas SD, and loves it.

If we go with the Back Mountain area, we would welcome any opinions on specific towns or neighborhoods in which our 6th and 9th graders could make friends!

We are used to a very tiny back yard, so even 1 acre would be a dream for our dogs. I had a dream of chickens some day....

Thanks again!
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Old 03-10-2014, 10:05 PM
 
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I live in the Abingtons for 24 years, my kids went to ABington heights, It's a very good school, one of the best in Pa, and I worked in Wilkes Barre and it was on 25 -30 min commute, there are homes with land towns like Newton is beautiful views still in Clarks Summit
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Old 03-11-2014, 07:46 AM
 
7 posts, read 11,753 times
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Thanks for this - we have certainly seen some wonderful homes in Clarks Summit & Waverly via internet searches and we will come out in April to look around with a realtor. I assume most kids ride the school bus?
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