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I have been reading the posts on these forums trying to learn about specific information on Plains, PA. I have discovered it is a "township." What is the difference between a township and a city or town? I also see that it is in Luzerne County. Other than that I haven't had much luck.
I am considering purchasing a mobile home in Plains. I have never been to PA in my life! I know virtually nothing about the area. Some things I need to know about:
I am a widow in my 60s, retired, live alone, on a fixed income. Is this a safe area in terms of crime, etc.? Are there closely-knit neighborhoods where people sort of watch out for one another? In other words, is it a friendly place, particularly for people my age?
What are the weather extremes? I have looked on C-D's lengthy pages of demographics for Luzerne County, but I don't find the information I need in order to make a decision.
I sure would appreciate it if anyone might be willing to help me out with answers to these questions. Naturally, I want to know the negatives as well as the positives of living there.
Thanks!
Last edited by Rocket Dog; 05-05-2008 at 08:47 AM..
Reason: typo
I have been reading the posts on these forums trying to learn about specific information on Plains, PA. I have discovered it is a "township." What is the difference between a township and a city or town? I also see that it is in Luzerne County. Other than that I haven't had much luck.
I am considering purchasing a mobile home in Plains. I have never been to PA in my life! I know virtually nothing about the area. Some things I need to know about:
I am a widow in my 60s, retired, live alone, on a fixed income. Is this a safe area in terms of crime, etc.? Are there closely-knit neighborhoods where people sort of watch out for one another? In other words, is it a friendly place, particularly for people my age?
What are the weather extremes? I have looked on C-D's lengthy pages of demographics for Luzerne County, but I don't find the information I need in order to make a decision.
I sure would appreciate it if anyone might be willing to help me out with answers to these questions. Naturally, I want to know the negatives as well as the positives of living there.
Thanks!
Hello, I think I can help. Plains and Plains twp. are both towns on the northern outskirts of the City of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Plains Borough is a descent sized town of(I'm guessing) between 10-13 thousand people? It has a small central buisness district with eateries, a drug store, a bank ect. Plains like many towns in the region is a sleepy, quiet town with a large elderly community. Crime is not a big problem in Plains, and most towns in the area have an active Crime Watch, and do watch out for each other. I'm sure Plains also has a Crime Watch program. Plains Township is a much larger area (in terms of square mileage) much of Plains Township is spread out, and includes rural, wooded areas, as well as more busy commercial areas(these busy, commercial areas border the city of Wilkes-Barre) Plains Twp is also home to the Mohegan Sun casino, Pocono Downs horse racing, the V.A. Medical Center, Woodlands Inn and Resort, and borders the largest shopping and commercial district in the region. Plains Twp. and Wilkes-Barre Twp share these commercial lands. Plains and Plains Twp. are part of the larger Wilkes-Barre/Scranton metro area with a population of around 500,000? I guess. Both city and country living can be found here depending on your preferrance. All in all Plains and Plains Twp. are both very good choices to by a home in this region. Good Luck! and Welcome to Northeast Pa. (if you choose to move here)
Actually, there is no such place as "Plains Borough." Plains Township encompasses a large geographical area that includes smaller villages like Hilldale, Hudson, Plainsville, and Irishtown, as well as a few mobile home parks, business parks, and upscale subdivisions. It is situated between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston in Northern Luzerne County.
I know this sounds confusing, but unlike in many other states where areas outside of city limits may be deemed as "Unincorporated ____ County," in Pennsylvania nothing is unincorporated. Generally speaking "borough" is equivalent to "town." It usually has a population of under 15,000 and can even be as small as just several hundred. Boroughs are generally older and more well-established with older homes, older populations, sidewalks, churches, mom-and-pop stores, and generally have smaller lot sizes; they are typically just a few square miles in size, if even that. They are generally governed by a mayor and a borough council of three, five, or seven members, usually designated by population. Townships are larger municipalities geographically that tend to have a lot of newer construction, lack sidewalks, attract lots of chain stores, and more younger families living on larger lots. Most townships are either rural or suburban, with a few like Hanover Township in Luzerne County feeling more "urban" because they are combrised of a series of dense villages that merged together to form a township municipality. Townships are generally run by a board of supervisors, but they may also be run by a board of commissioners. The only township I'm aware of in our area that has a mayor is Wilkes-Barre Township.
Regardless you'll be paying taxes to either a township or borough, be receiving services in return from them, have to undergo zoning approval from either entity, etc., so it doesn't really matter whether you call Plains a "borough" or "township," even though it is truly the latter.
Generally speaking if you want to live in a "neighborhood" and also live in a mobile home you'll have to settle for a trailer park. There really aren't many (if any) mobile homes that I can think of that are situated in the more established parts of the township. Is there any particular reason why you are opting for a mobile home? You can find small older two-story homes in the more populated parts of Plains Township with a mortgage that will not be much more than the combined cost of a mobile home and lot rental fee. I've seen some nice (perhaps with some minor paint and TLC) homes in parts of Plains Township in the $60,000-$80,000 range, which, even on a fixed income, could be doable.
Demographically Plains Township, just like most of NEPA, is very "gray." There are a lot of widows/widowers, and other active older adults. I think over 1/5 of our region is actually classified as being senior citizens, so you'll be in good company. As far as close-knit neighborhoods are concerned, I think perhaps you may wish to consider Hudson, or even the adjacent Miners Mills or Parsons neighborhoods in North Wilkes-Barre. Contrary to popular belief, ALL of Wilkes-Barre isn't crime-infested. I think one of these neighborhoods will have that close-knit feeling that you are seeking, along with generally affordable housing prices. Violent crime is generally non-existent in Hudson, Miners Mills, or Parsons, even though there are occasionally some issues with vandalism, public intoxication, etc. There is a drug problem in these areas as well, but it's mostly just "users." The dealers tend to cause the most problems in parts of South Wilkes-Barre, across town.
Economically speaking Plains Township is the ideal place to be right now. The newer Mohegan Sun Casino is pumping millions into the township's coffers, and those monies are going to repave roads, improve parks, beef up the police force, and otherwise beautify and revitalize the township community. A new part of the casino is slated to open later this year with a Ruths Chris Steakhouse, Johnny Rocket's, retail stores, etc.
If you had your heart set on a mobile home, then there is a rather large mobile home community at the top of Jumper Road, not far from the Mill Creek Acres subdivision or the Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Techinical School. Don't quote me on this, but I believe they've had problems over the years with the property owner of the park failing to pay utility bills, leaving people there without water for several days at a time. If it were personally up to me I'd search for a small, affordable, older home in Hudson, Miners Mills, or Parsons, where people seem to look out for one another more than in the more outlying parts of Plains Township.
I live just a few miles from the border with Plains Township in a community called Pittston Township. I'm very, very familiar with this part of Luzerne County, and if you have any specific inquiries, please feel free to let me know. I'd love to help!
The weather gets pretty cold in the winter. First snow fall usually varies between late Oct.- early Dec. and last into late March- early April. Snow fall amounts vary from year to year. Some years we hardly see anything, other years you may have to shovel out of two feat of snow if we get hit with a noreaster. Winter temps.- I'd say between 35-20 degrees on average? With Febuary being the coldest month. Plains is a town with a town center, houses close together ect. Plains Twp is spread out, like a suburb, and covers many square miles. The winters may take some getting used to if you're from Missuori, but when spring finally arrives, it's like being reborn! The drearyness of winter is suddenly replaced by colorful flowers, birds singing, warm temps. I think if I lived in the south, I'd really miss the changing of the seasons. Oh, I forgot to tell you The Pocono Downs horse racing isn't thoroughbred racing, it's harness racing (I don't want to mislead you). Anyway, there is a poster on this site known as ScranBarre, he is known for getting very detailed info. on this region. He'll probabaly be able to find you an info. you desire, and he usually has photos of the cities and towns around here also. The info I gave you is only my best guess, but is probably pretty good since I'm a life long resident of the area. He can find you specific statistics.By the way, the cost of living is not bad at all compared to the surrounding metro areas of NYC and Philly.
The weather gets pretty cold in the winter. First snow fall usually varies between late Oct.- early Dec. and last into late March- early April. Snow fall amounts vary from year to year. Some years we hardly see anything, other years you may have to shovel out of two feat of snow if we get hit with a noreaster. Winter temps.- I'd say between 35-20 degrees on average? With Febuary being the coldest month. Plains is a town with a town center, houses close together ect. Plains Twp is spread out, like a suburb, and covers many square miles. The winters may take some getting used to if you're from Missuori, but when spring finally arrives, it's like being reborn! The drearyness of winter is suddenly replaced by colorful flowers, birds singing, warm temps. I think if I lived in the south, I'd really miss the changing of the seasons. Oh, I forgot to tell you The Pocono Downs horse racing isn't thoroughbred racing, it's harness racing (I don't want to mislead you). Anyway, there is a poster on this site known as ScranBarre, he is known for getting very detailed info. on this region. He'll probabaly be able to find you an info. you desire, and he usually has photos of the cities and towns around here also. The info I gave you is only my best guess, but is probably pretty good since I'm a life long resident of the area. He can find you specific statistics.By the way, the cost of living is not bad at all compared to the surrounding metro areas of NYC and Philly.
Wow! Thanks for the plug! LOL! It looks as if we posted at the same time!
I'd rate everything W-B Proud said as being 100% accurate except for the "borough" vs. "township" issue. A lot of people just say "I live in Plains," but they REALLY live in "Plains Township." This is much the same as me telling most people I live in Pittston due to brevity's sake when I really live several miles from the town center in Pittston Township. This generally isn't a problem unless you're talking about Hanover Township because "Hanover" is actually a different town near Gettysburg, so when people say "I'm from Hanover," confusion arises. In my opinion there are just too many fragmented communities in the region that should be consolidated.
Wow, ScranBarre. That's a lot of information. Thanks!
I can see from reading your post that I should have been more clear about my reasons for considering moving to Plains. I'm sure it will give all of you a good chuckle. (What is this crazy old lady thinking?)
The reason I have considered moving to Plains has nothing to do with wanting to live in PA in general, nor Plains specifically. It just so happens that I really like the mobile home I'm considering buying, and it just happens to be in Plains. It is a really cute, remodeled home, and it is in my price range. Of course, I'm just judging by the photos I've seen, plus emailing back and forth with the seller. I know it's a big risk to buy something "blindly," particularly in a totally unfamiliar area of the country.
I wanted to get info from you c-d members rather than relying strictly on what I hear from the seller. So actually, if I decide against buying this particular mobile, I won't be moving to Plains. I'm still in the information-gathering stage, and have not made any commitment yet to buy the home.
I understand what you mean about buying a "real" home instead of a mobile, Scran-Barre, but even at the price range you mentioned, it is out of the realm of possibility for me. I need something like a mobile home that I can pay cash for and then only have to pay lot rent out of my SS check.
Naturally, I still have a lot of researching and thinking to do about making this big a move, and taking the risk of buying something sight unseen (kinda not very smart, really, right?)
One thing I have noticed, however, is that the subject of the weather seems to be falling through the cracks. Is it so bad up there that nobody wants to tell me?
After the tornadoes we had in Kansas City last Thursday night, and the weather extremes we have here, I don't think you will scare me away by telling me about the weather extremes in PA. At least you don't get these wild and unpredictable tornadoes every spring like we do here.
Sorry about that, W-B proud. I guess I replied to ScranBarre's post before I saw yours about the weather and the clarification of the racetrack.
Rather disappointed that it is harness racing instead of thoroughbreds. Oh well. However . . . Ruths Chris Steakhouse????? The best thing I've read so far. We have one here, and I wish I could afford to eat there more often. KC is known for the best steaks (and the best BBQ) so knowing there is a Ruths Chris there is a real plus for me. I don't expect to find good BBQ there, though.
The weather? Sounds like colder longer, and more snow than here, although we have just had an unusually rough winter.
Just so I understand correctly: Plains is close to the Poconos, right? wrong? I would love to be able to see mountains from where I live.
Sorry about that, W-B proud. I guess I replied to ScranBarre's post before I saw yours about the weather and the clarification of the racetrack.
Rather disappointed that it is harness racing instead of thoroughbreds. Oh well. However . . . Ruths Chris Steakhouse????? The best thing I've read so far. We have one here, and I wish I could afford to eat there more often. KC is known for the best steaks (and the best BBQ) so knowing there is a Ruths Chris there is a real plus for me. I don't expect to find good BBQ there, though.
The weather? Sounds like colder longer, and more snow than here, although we have just had an unusually rough winter.
Just so I understand correctly: Plains is close to the Poconos, right? wrong? I would love to be able to see mountains from where I live.
Yes, Plains Township is right near the Poconos and has some pretty nice mountain views from a lot of the community. I would say that we are fair game for snow anytime from late-November through early-April, and we generally only get one "heavy" (8+ inches) snow storm per season with several nuisance ones in the 3-6 inches or 4-8 inches range. It can be rather chilly here; the lowest temperature ever recorded was -21 back in the 1990s. It can also get rather hot; heat index numbers around 100 degrees aren't uncommon in July and August. Today was an absolutely fabulous day to get out and enjoy NEPA though. After my final exam on campus I headed over to Wyoming Borough to do some running along the Wyoming Valley Levee System. I was accompanied by a myriad of dog walkers, inline skaters, bicyclists, mothers with strollers, etc. with beautiful river views to my left and the Wyoming Valley Airport (small planes) to my right. I only ran 7 miles (I cut things short today believe it or not), but I hope to return tomorrow to run the entire length of the levee from Wyoming southwards to the Plymouth area and back.
They say that if you don't like the weather in NEPA just wait a few moments. We're very dynamic. Tornadoes aren't uncommon here, but it's rare that they hit populated areas. In 1998 the village of Lake Carey was decimated by an EF-3 tornado that killed two people, but since then most of the other tornadoes have hit rural areas. We've been having an absolutely phenomenal spring thus far. Two weeks ago we had a dry stretch of nearly two weeks straight with sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. We then had about a week of cooler, damper weather, and now we're back for a few days of sunny days near 70 before some more damp weather moves in later during the week.
As far as BBQ is concerned, I doubt we'll stack up to Kansas City, but there are a few local havens for the good stuff, including Stookey's Barbecue in West Nanticoke and Kundla's Barbecue in Hamlin.
Thanks again, ScranBarre. Your post was very descriptive. It does seem to be a really nice place to be . . . except for the weather. We have that same "saying" here: if you don't like the weather, etc., etc. Your weather is pretty much the same as ours, although I think we are way ahead of you in the tornado department. Be glad for that! We had a bunch of them late Thursday night. A small one went through my back yard, clipped part of a large tree, then went up and over my backyard workshop and fence, then down again in my next-door neighbor's yard and completely uprooted a very large tree, which then fell on the guy's shed and smashed it to pieces. The rootball on the tree is the size of a VW, not kidding.
I appreciate the "welcome," ScranBarre, but I'm not nearly close to making a decision at this point. The more I think about doing something like this at my age, the scarier it gets. But then, so are once-a-week tornadoes every spring.
Thanks again, and I'll probably bug you with more questions as I think of them.
Lanie
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I have been reading the posts on these forums trying to learn about specific information on Plains, PA. I have discovered it is a "township." What is the difference between a township and a city or town? I also see that it is in Luzerne County. Other than that I haven't had much luck.
. (What is this crazy old lady thinking?)
