moving to Schuylkill County

[gina0910]

I am looking at a property in the country near New Ringgold does anyone have an opinion on Tamaqua School District?

[cowboyxjon]

Originally Posted by gina0910

I am looking at a property in the country near New Ringgold does anyone have an opinion on Tamaqua School District?

My family still lives in the area and I have cousins who graduated from Tamaqua. I'd say the district is okay overall, although Pottsville and Blue Mountain districts are probably slightly better choices.

My dad grew up in New Ringgold and went to Blue Mountain.

[SmallTownLife]

Schuykill County is not as bad as some people may thing. Now, much of the views depends on location. I live in Cressona and think well of the section of Schuykill County I live in, but I will admit to some cons of living in Schuykill County, too. I will admit that, to the upper class, Schuykill County looks like a place for slobs, but I've only lived in small towns, so I prefer the small shops and forests.

Pros: For one thing, the teachers at the Blue Mountain School District, (Cressona, Deer Lake, Orwigsburg, Friendensburg and small sections of Schuykill Haven), focus on the students. Also, the school has a florishing musical department; including Band (Concert Band, Jazz Band and other honor bands) and Chorus (Concert Chorus, Drama Club and Show Choir). They also put acedemics before sports.
Plus, there are many things to do that the kids would enjoy. For example; there are many campgrounds, playgrounds and a few public pools. With in an hour or so driving distance there are mini-golf courses, amusement parks and malls. Also, there are many daycare centers. And one that I know of, Jerusalem Child Care Center (JCCC), takes the children to swimming lessons in the morning and they free swim three times a week in the afternoon. They also go to many playgrounds, too. Many block parties are held in the summer for all ages.
There are many 18 hole golf courses for the adults. And a few bars. Many small restaurants, ranging from Italian, Mexican, Chinesse, to small town eataries.
Many historical places like the coal mines and many different hiking trails like Hawk Mountain are in Schuykill County.

Cons: Some of the people don't always look presentable, but I assure you that almost all of them are friendly.
There is a limitation of high profit jobs in the direct area, but there are better job options with in an hour's drive, though.

I am not trying to presuade or change the views of someone, I'm just stating my beliefs one Schuykill County. I do understand that everyone has different thoughts one a topic and I know that I am only one person.
Thank You.

[lolo1956]

I do beg to differ on the crime rates. Especially since the influx of people moving to the area for the cheap row homes in Northern Schuylkill. My husband and son in law, in addition to nephews and cousins are all employed in our local Federal and State prisons. The inmates families have relocated to the area and we have seen a severe crime increase over the last 20 years. When I grew up here, (and I am a lifetime resident, except for a few years spent out of the state), people did not have to be afraid to let their children outside to play. There is such a high rate of pedofiles in this area, not to mention the drug and alcohol abusers, all you have to do is read the newspaper and you will see what I mean. Also check the Megan's Law list and you will also see what I mean. Check out our Local State college's record for crimes and you will see it is right up there compared to larger campuses throughout the state. It is terrible compared to how it was years ago. Yes, you can say that just about anywhere you go these days. But to give others a false sense of security, just isn't right. The drugs are terrible in this county, not only street drugs but also prescription drugs. My daughter lives in a Northern Schuylkill town and had her car window smashed out, just because for the first time in her life she had her hands full carrying groceries in her house and left her purse in her car overnight. The purse was found a couple of months later with all her cards and Id's intact in her wallet. The only thing missing was a prescription she had in the bag because she had wisdom teeth removed the day before. She had to spend over $250.00 because someone wanted a $5.00 prescription????? People have been beaten TO DEATH!!!! In this county because of racist views as most have read in the National and local newspapers!!! I've lived here the majority of my life and I don't even feel safe here, I don't even live in a town, I live in the country. I worry constantly about how much worse this county can get. Methamphetamines, Pot, Bath Salts, Prescription drugs, Alcohol, Heroin. Diseases, Hepatitis is rampant. Ask anyone who works in your prison systems. Schuylkill County is no different than any of our big cities. This is why when someone moves into our area, all of those people who were born and raised here are weary of new people and why we all basically keep to our own and don't take kindly to strangers. We don't know who or what you are. At least I know everyone in our area and they know me and I like it that way.

[MUtcd33]

If you wanna be close to NYC or Philly without all the bustle of the Poconos or Lehigh Valley, Southeasten Schuylkill is a good option. I live near Tamaqua. I'm 85 miles from NYC. People here who think the whole county is like backwater north central PA, well that simply is not true. Most of Schuylkill county does not enjoy quick access to public transport (hear me out on this one) I.e. I know of people who live here, drive about 45 miles into Jersey, and take the train to work. Also, we're closer to the Lehigh Valley (25-35 miles away from any given point in the Valley) than the rest of Schuylkill County, so we have better options for nightlife and culture. Tamaqua schools aren't terrible, and the taxes are low compared to Carbon or Lehigh County schools.

[Flaneuropa]

I will add that some of the backcountry around New Ringgold and Orwigsburg is gorgeous. Wooded hills and small farms and Christmas tree farms etc. The overcrowded sprawl of the Northeast (Bos-NY-Phil-DC) has penetrated well into the Pocono Mtns, Lehigh Valley, Reading, Lancaster etc, with formerly rural counties now invested with McMansions, but a change occurs when you get to Schuykill County. The sprawl stops there (even though it's convenient to the LV etc). It's not the wealthiest or healthiest county in PA, but there are some pockets of paradise tucked away back there.

[Jobless7485]

Let me get straight to the point.this place sucks.this is the most depressing place I've ever bin.theres not many jobs and there's absolutely nothing to do here.only good thing is the homes and rent is cheap.warning heads up don't move to pottsville.the cops there are *******s.they Harrass you for no reason.several times I got searched for no reason at all.i was doing nothing wrong.they assume everybody there is a drug addict or a drug dealer.its ridiculous.all they do is Harrass people.especialy if you are from out the area like reading,Philadelphia,or New York.last I knew I thought it was a free country but unfortunately you can't be yourself there.if you don't like to get harassed don't move to pottsville pa.i know a lot of people there that say the cops Harrased them but no one does nothing about it.myself I was harrassed on several occasions for no reason.i moved out of pottsville pa an I am much happier now.since I moved from there I haven't had no problems at all with other cops.its jus my opinion but move there and find out for yourself.

[auajr1]

One thing for certain, two for sure you had better get a reliable home security alarm system preferably one with a camera... My suggestion for the Philly area (where I lived for 40 years) is ADT 1 800 749-3178 "No long wait" toll free number.
Home invasion has started to become the new crime thing in SE pa lately, therefore, the afore mentioned security company office does provides "free home invasion protection features", as well as, "latch key" kid's protection. (after school monitoring for working parents) and a free senior citizen medical alert button. Then too, a free pet immune motion detector is offerred, as well.

What a beautiful but progressively urban part of the country the Schuykill has become, so please be mindful to protect your family and possessions. No way is this Kansas.....

[Sicilee]

Originally Posted by auajr1

One thing for certain, two for sure you had better get a reliable home security alarm system preferably one with a camera... My suggestion for the Philly area (where I lived for 40 years) is ADT 1 800 749-3178 "No long wait" toll free number.
Home invasion has started to become the new crime thing in SE pa lately, therefore, the afore mentioned security company office does provides "free home invasion protection features", as well as, "latch key" kid's protection. (after school monitoring for working parents) and a free senior citizen medical alert button. Then too, a free pet immune motion detector is offerred, as well.

What a beautiful but progressively urban part of the country the Schuykill has become, so please be mindful to protect your family and possessions. No way is this Kansas.....

[BPP1999]

I was in Pottsville over the weekend. Went into Schuylkill Haven and St. Clair as well. I was happy, and surprised, actually, to see the widening of Route 61 that has occurred (and is still going on). I commented to my friend that the area seemed a little less removed from the world because it was easier to get to. Hopefully the road capacity improvements help from an economic development standpoint.

I was dressed fairly nicely with a bright shirt and new sneakers but no one looked at me funny. Job market aside, the area seems very pleasant to me, although St. Clair, especially the east side of 61, seemed the most bleak of the three towns I visited (though the many ethnic Catholic churches there added to the fabric of the town).

I'd love to see SEPTA restore train service through Reading up to Pottsville but obviously that's a long shot. The excursion line seems to be doing a good job maintaining the stations and track. The Schuylkill Haven station looks like something out of a 1940's postcard (which I liked). Since mining and large-scale manufacturing are dead, infrastructure connections with other areas are more important than ever. It's unfortunate that all modes of infrastructure in PA are underfunded and neglected.