Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My wife was recently offered a job in Pottsville PA. We currently live in FL and have been looking to relocate to the Lehigh Valley, so this will get us close to where we want to be, but Schuylkill county seems quite different indeed. We've been looking at the rental market in the area and are coming up totally EMPTY. Can anyone offer any insight on Pottsville and it's surrounding areas?
We plan to rent for a year or two to make sure we are happy with the area before purchasing. We're both looking forward to being able to spend time outdoors- we bike, hike and ski, and I scuba dive.
If anyone has any thoughts for us, particularly what areas to consider renting that are withing about a 45 minute commute to Pottsville, we would greatly appreciate it. We would like an area that offers quite a bit of activity and a sense of community yet offers individual privacy. Hopefully the following will offer some more insight. Any advice or suggestions would be very appreciated!
When are you moving? Early June
Where are you coming from? Palm Beach County, Florida
Why are you moving? We are looking forward to starting our family. The area we live in is not the type of community in which we want to raise our children- crime rate is very high, education system is lacking and there is no sense of community. Also, our families live in the Scranton area and Ohio so we are looking forward to being much closer to them.
Where will you be working? I work from home and my wife will be working in Pottsville.
Have you been here yet? No. I grew up outside of Scranton but never spent any time in Schuylkill county. After doing a good bit of research my wife and I spent 2 days in the Lehigh Valley this past winter and were very attracted to the quaint and friendly aura of that area.
Will you buy or rent? Rent until we get a feel for the area, and then intend to purchase 1 to 2 years later
.
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? When the time comes, single family home between 150-250K
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? Preferably single family home with a fenced in yard for the pups. Otherwise, likely a townhouse. $1,000-$1,400 range.
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Walk up
Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married and expecting.
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public
Do you have pets? Yes, two mid-large dogs.
Do you want or need a yard? Major want, preferably fenced.
Are you keeping a car? One car currently but this will likely have a need for another once we move.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? A bit of both! Currently live near Miami, Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, but we enjoy being in the quieter area between them.
What do you want to be closest to? Gym, parks, bike paths
Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? No significant preference.
We will definitely be exploring that option but can't seem to find much information or rental opportunities in the area. Are you familiar with the area? What can you share about life in Pottsville?
Any part of the Lehigh Valley to Pottsville would take you over an hour on average in good weather.
Why not focus your efforts on Pottsville itself?
I lived 30 mts north/northeast in Lavelle/Ashland. When I was working in Reading I would commute through Pottsville going to and from work.
In order to understand Pottsville one must understand Schuylkill County.
I love and respect Coal Country which goes a very long way in not only understanding the area but accepting the area.
Pottsville/St.Clair is the largest metropolitan area in Schuylkill County.
The Pottsville area is a concentrated version of the rest of Schuylkill County which overall is economically depressed and has been since a large number of coal mines were shuttered thirty plus years ago.
Because of this there is a very large population of multi generational white poverty coloring the landscape.
The area is very indicative of Appalachia, both in landscape and poverty found in southern West Virginia.
Pottsville has had it's share of problems due to the history I've mentioned.
You have a moderate undertow of drug problems, a persistent mistrust of outsiders by many long term residents and a stubborn unemployment/underemployment problem.
On the other side of that coin you have commuters that work in the Reading area and find Pottsville's low cost of living a huge plus.
Because of these residents you see commerce in the city.
Yuengling Brewery which is America's oldest brewery is located downtown and brings a decent share of locally good paying jobs and with that, money generation in the community.
There has been a long term revitalization effort in Pottsville by the city for many years and in many ways you can see it.
The city is nestled in a "" bowl "" being surrounded by the mountains of the area which in my opinion makes the city very beautiful from different vantage points.
The underlying issue with Pottsville and Schuylkill County as a whole is a lack of opportunity for long term residents concerning education and the opportunities afforded by that.
You will notice the poverty as it's reflected in the areas multi generational families.
You will also notice the commuters and their families as a sometimes stark contrast to the former.
Pottsville's "" bad "" areas of town are visually not a true assault on the eyes as is the case in the poor areas of Reading and Allentown.
The city has ample shopping for groceries and other staples of daily living.
I personally love Pottsville and if my wife and I didn't work in Allentown we would find ourselves back in Schuylkill County residing in that city due to the topography and history that is represented in coal country.
Pottsville's "" bad "" areas of town are visually not a true assault on the eyes as is the case in the poor areas of Reading and Allentown.
In the interest of fairness, I have to say that many of the poor neighborhoods in the city of Reading are quite visually beautiful, architecturally, and seemingly well-maintained, especially compared to the poor areas of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, etc. I had difficulty finding any real blighted spots in Reading, whereas it is everywhere you look in most of the cities of western PA.
Thanks all for the thorough and on-point information, this is exactly what I have not been coming up with in my searches.
The city of Pottsville sounds like it could be in line with what we're seeking in a hometown, however I am really coming up short in the rental search there which is what had us focusing elsewhere. I've found only a few appropriate rentals in Pottsville direct and all are row homes. We are really seeking a suburb-esque area, but would even manage with a rural setting.
Something that drew us toward the Lehigh Valley was the apparent sense of community that was evidenced through the various festivals and other town gatherings. I see a few things mentioned on Pottsvilles' website, but the overall (albeit possibly ignorant) sense I am getting is that locals stick with locals and commuters stick to themselves.
I've seen many comments of a drug/alcohol issue in the area. The bar scene is not one that we at all enjoy partaking in or being around, and I keep myself at as much of a distance between drugs and those who partake as I can. Drug issues having been mentioned in a high percentage of the posts I have read leaves me a bit concerned. Is this something that is evident even to those who do not associate with that crowd?
Alleghenyangel, you had mentioned finding a neighborhood in Pottsville that we are comfortable in. Can you share the names of a few neighborhoods in Pottsville? I am finding very little in Pottsville itself, but feel I must be missing something. I see that Tamaqua, Hamburg, New Tripoli and Orwigsburg are all nearby, but it sounds as if you are suggesting neighborhoods much closer than these individual locales.
Based on the insight you have both given, it seems that I've again fallen into a bit of contempt prior to investigation. It seems that Schuylkill County is an area that is best experienced rather than researched. Nevertheless, any further information will be much appreciated.
In the interest of fairness, I have to say that many of the poor neighborhoods in the city of Reading are quite visually beautiful, architecturally, and seemingly well-maintained, especially compared to the poor areas of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, etc. I had difficulty finding any real blighted spots in Reading, whereas it is everywhere you look in most of the cities of western PA.
I will agree with you concerning the architecture of many of the poor neighborhoods in Reading.
These neighborhoods are historically significant due to the fact that they once housed Reading's wealthy set.
The areas I'm speaking of are the typical row house streets that are framed many times by long vacated factories that act as a magnet for, weeds, graffiti and drug dealing.
Some of those streets housing row house stock are decently cared for but during my most recent tours of that area (2 weeks ago) there exists block after block of blighted, litter strewn streets with many of the row homes shuttered due to neglect from slumlords.
This makes Reading proper appear far down the list for desirable cities in which to live.
If I were working in Pottsville, I'd seriously look at living in norhtern Berks County and put up with a little longer commute. You'd be closer to more amenities and social activites and sporting events. It would still be very rural but a town like Hamburg could give you a more populated alternative. Even Leesport wouldn't be too far of a drive and you'd be getting closer to Reading for shopping.
I'm not downing Pottsville, its just getting further into the mountains where its more of a drive to places of interest. My one day dream is to have a weekend place near Hawk Mountain so I do like the area. I just wouldn't want to live there all the time. Maybe Orwigsburg would be worht looking at. I like the rural nature of that area along with New Ringgold.
Route 61 can be a bear of a drive as well as Route 222.
As for Reading, it is what it is. But I've said before and it still stands that crime drops dramatically at the city limits and you're a world away a few miles or 10 minutes driveaway from it. I certainly wouldn't worry about being somewhat close to the city given the good schools and quality of life surrounding it.
Thanks Icy Tea. Does the suggestion of Northern Berks County include Ontelaunee, Tuckerton, Temple etc., or are there other towns that are closer?
Under most circumstances my wife would likely be fine with a 45~ minute commute, but with her being newly pregnant and never having driven in the mountains at all (let alone in the winter) this has us paying extra attention to the roads. Are 61 and 222 just rough as far as traffic is concerned, or are they dangerous roads for a regular commute?
Even for the surrounding areas I am not seeing very much along the lines of rentals. Is this an area that we would have more success with just driving around looking for signs in yards, or are there just that few rentals available? I've reached out to an agent but with the holiday weekend have not heard back just yet.
Thanks Icy Tea. Does the suggestion of Northern Berks County include Ontelaunee, Tuckerton, Temple etc., or are there other towns that are closer?
Under most circumstances my wife would likely be fine with a 45~ minute commute, but with her being newly pregnant and never having driven in the mountains at all (let alone in the winter) this has us paying extra attention to the roads. Are 61 and 222 just rough as far as traffic is concerned, or are they dangerous roads for a regular commute?
Even for the surrounding areas I am not seeing very much along the lines of rentals. Is this an area that we would have more success with just driving around looking for signs in yards, or are there just that few rentals available? I've reached out to an agent but with the holiday weekend have not heard back just yet.
Happy Memorial Day!
Josh,
For close to a year and a half I commuted to and from Reading from Allentown on Route 222.
That route is both dangerous and deadly.
Other than at Kutztown the route is two lanes only the entire length between those two cities.
In dry weather on a typical workday it would take me approx 70 Minutes each way to get to my house in Allentown.
During my tenure on that road I witnessed at least 40 crashes with many more that I'm very sure I'm unaware of.
Because of the amount of traffic and just how the route takes you through small towns with speed limits you see plenty of road rage which causes a great deal of the crashes I just mentioned.
I for one am very perplexed as to why this is the fastest route between Allentown and Reading that's anything but fast.
It boggles the mind as to why 222 hasn't been widened to four lanes years ago.
That's my take on route 222 Josh, I'm very positive that others here will share my opinion on it.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
