Close to Philadelphia second home great for kids (Scranton, Chester: fit in, condo)

[MKE8244]

We are looking to buy a second home in the Pocoonos. From looking at this site, it seems like something like Fawn Lake or Hemlock Farm might be a good fit in terms of amenities for our three kids and price. However, both are really far from our main home south of Philadelphia. Anything close to the Philly burbs that might be good to check out. Arrowhead is on the list already. We have a limited budget of $350K, need 3 bedrooms and really want to be close to the neighborhood beach. Lake front would be ideal but I understand that isn't happening.

PLEASE BOLD FONT YOUR PRIORITIES

When are you moving? N/A second home, coming from Chester County PA
Where will you be working? Remote
Have you been here yet? Yes, to Arrowhead


Will you buy or rent? Buy
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House, 350K


Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with three kids under the age of 7
Do you prefer public or private schools? N/A
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Yard within a neighborhood
Are you keeping a car? Yes
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Calm and quiet but not desolate

What do you want to be closest to?
Work - Nope
Shopping - Not important
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) - yes
Nightlife - hah, no way. A drink at the pool or beach sounds nice though.
Near Bus stop? Please note that there is NO rail service in the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area. - no

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? We want an area with kids

Favorite beverage? A quiet beer

[charmed hour]

Have you looked at Indian Mountain Lakes & Towamensing Trails? Both are about 1.5 hours from Philly and offer a variety of amenities. One big thing to remember, the more a community has, the more you will pay in dues. For example, IML is about $1400 a year in dues and generally speaking, has a high property and school tax on properties as well. I live a few miles further up in Carbon county, in a small community with a lake and clubhouse. Our yearly dues is $275 and combined school and property taxes are nearly $8k in 2022.

[DavidWebb]

I live 1/2 hour south of IML & TT....from where I live (Saylorsburg) its a 2-1/2 hour drive to downtown Philly and that's taking the PA Turnpike....from those 2 places up north closer to 3 hours....

[Simons]

Stay home

[charmed hour]

Originally Posted by DavidWebb

I live 1/2 hour south of IML & TT....from where I live (Saylorsburg) its a 2-1/2 hour drive to downtown Philly and that's taking the PA Turnpike....from those 2 places up north closer to 3 hours....

It's about 75 minutes to Philly from the NE exchange entrance on 903 to Philly for IML & TT. My husband does it every day for work. I wouldn't want to come from Philly further north as you said it's at least 2 hours depending on the route needed. During summer holidays, my husband often finds it takes 2.5-3 hours to get to our exit NE exit.

We bought a new house that adds 15 minutes to his commute and he's crying. Meanwhile, it's break-even for me commuting to the Bronx (3 hours each way generally). Cry me a river, dude! :P We actually looked at a house in Saylorsburg. It was more than 30 minutes from our present home (near TT off 903). One frustrating thing about PA, there are few straightforward routes anywhere. It's take "this state route for 5 miles, turn left to that one for 11 miles, etc."

[quiet life]

^^^^Just curious about 903 in the winter. How does Penndot's finest take care of that route? I've driven down 903 to get to Jim Thorpe but rarely in the winter.

[charmed hour]

Originally Posted by quiet life

^^^^Just curious about 903 in the winter. How does Penndot's finest take care of that route? I've driven down 903 to get to Jim Thorpe but rarely in the winter.

They do a pretty good job. Stretches are a bit treacherous, near Maury road specifically, due to it being flat and either side is open farm fields. Lots of blowing snow in that area. Same with the fog over there. It’s terrible at times. Otherwise down the mountains into JT or towards Blakeslee are well taken care of overall.