Are there any parts of NE PA that are nice?

[Wells5]

Check out Ithaca, NY. It's a couple of hours from Honesdale and has the vibrancy and small town/city feel that you're looking for not to mention the amenities of a major university town and surrounded by beautiful countryside. New York City sports channels are carried by the local cable system. See link.


Ithaca, NY at Night - SkyscraperPage Forum

[BPP1999]

How about Milford, PA?

[ConfusingRotary]

I have lived in both NEPA and CT, so maybe I can help a little. NEPA is on the whole very depressing and it has been that way for a long time. CT, especially in the western side, is very similar to upstate NY and the northern tier of PA, but they've benefitted from having a lot of money moving around from NYC. There are a lot of towns that look like spruced up versions of what you'll find in PA. Collinsville is really nice if you're interested in going that far over, but you're not going to be very close to Honesdale (at least 3 hours).

There are a ton of nice little towns along 84 in CT, but you'll still be 2+ hours away from Honesdale.

[Deluy]

Hawley is quaint and close to Honesdale.

[rowhomecity]

I would suggest the Lehigh Valley. It is only 90 minutes from your family, and quite a lovely area. Bethlehem, PA is really nice. Also Jim Thorpe, PA is a very very pretty town, that is slightly closer. But also puts you close to Bethlehem. Perhaps this is the balance you would like? Hawley, PA is also very pretty.

Pennsylvania has lots of charming small towns. But economically NEPA is a little depressed at the moment, so it is not as visually striking.

I really think you would really like the Lehigh Valley.

Take a trip to Center City Bethlehem. It is historic, has lots of charm. It is home to many renowned Universities and is very vibrant. Allentown, PA which neighbors Bethlehem, is undergoing over $1 Billion in new development in its downtown. The economy of the Lehigh Valley is strong, and you would be pleased.

If you want beautiful Pennsylvania rural areas, that would be in Bucks County Pennsylvania. Which is 100% comparable to CT.

[Duderino]

The issue with NEPA is that its urban centers/commercial main streets still need significant re-investment relative to adjacent regions, but there are still an array of solid residential areas.

No, NEPA doesn't have the Wall Street/financial services money and uber-wealth emanating from NYC into the Hudson Valley and Southwestern CT. But it's still largely solidly middle-class, despite unfortunate reputations. It's also a very beautiful area.

In addition to what's been mentioned here, I think Stroudsburg is another option. A solidy and charming community equidistant between the Lehigh Valley and most of NEPA.