Tell me about the Poconos, PA as a place to retire

Hugh R · 12-28-2013, 02:53 PM

Was thinking Idaho, but visited Stroudsburg PA for the holidays to visit my daughter, son in law and one month old grandson, who live in Manhattan (2 hour drive).

We liked the area, taxes seem low, especially for retirees, and you can buy a nice place for dirt cheap, like 1/4 the price of a comparable house in Los Angeles area.

As retirees, we'd pay pretty much no income taxes, sales tax is 6% (10.5% in Los Angeles). If I did some consulting, I probably wouldn't make enough to pay any income taxes which are about 3%.

Cold in Winter, warm in Summer, Spring and Fall are apparently quite nice.

Any thoughts pro or con.

drcoastline · 12-28-2013, 03:18 PM

Not sure how it would affect you Hugh, but Poconos are infected with gangs, meth labs, big city problems. Being so close to NYC many low income families were lured there by section 8 housing, gov't assistance programs. Apparently this is a recent problem meaning has occurred since the early 1990's. That being said as a kid growing up we would go to the Poconos several times a year skiing. I loved it. Even went once in the summer to visit at one of those lodges. That was fun also.

Google Poconos, eth, gangs plenty of info on the problem.

Rick V · 12-28-2013, 03:22 PM

Hugh, you might want to look into W.Va. or even Va, if you like that environment but don't want the hassle. There are a lot of really great places here, and usually within five hours of your family.
I hope you like humidity, as Seahawk says, it is air you can wear

Nostril Cheese · 12-28-2013, 03:23 PM

Organized crime as well.

scottmandue · 12-28-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drcoastline

Not sure how it would affect you Hugh, but Poconos are infected with gangs, meth labs, big city problems.

YO! My man Hugh ain't steping back frum nutting yaknowwhati'm sayin?

dyount · dyount's Garage

My favorite spot in PA is Boiling Springs. This time of year (as you leave a classic tavern on the edge) they have a tree in the middle of the lake, it's a postcard moment. 2hrs from DC,Balt,Philly, and 3 from NYC. Trout fishing some of the best in the east and to me always home.

Hugh R · 12-28-2013, 03:47 PM

Bonus!

It's a carry state right?

I'll get to cap gangbangers!

mreid · 12-28-2013, 03:54 PM

I looked and almost bought a lot next to lookout mountain (same beautiful view). Then decided retirement was overrated and moved to TX for work and future retirement. I don't think it's bad at all, but could get lonely.

dyount · dyount's Garage

Not all that difficult to get a concealed license in what we call Pennsyltucky (Philly on one side,Pittsburgh on the other,Pennsyltucky in the middle). You don't want to get between the locals and hunting/fishing etc. Kids get the first day of deer season off as a scheduled holiday to give you an idea.
I've always seen northern PA as a bit out of the way other than close to NYC. Make a trip out this way and see south central pa , tons of history from Lancaster/York/Gettysburg/Carlisle and not far from Harpers Ferry and VA horse country.

dyount · dyount's Garage

Oh and icing? You're 20 mins from Hershey (think swapmeet in April)

nightheart · nightheart's Garage

I wasn't too impressed with the Poconos the last time I was up. I guess there are some really nice areas, but the hotel we stayed in wasn't in them. I should have done a little more research before making reservations, but live and learn. All that being said, if you want the country lifestyle with city conveniences, many parts of PA are it. The college town over from me has a place to tie your horses and a stall to put them in at the Walmart. You will learn to drive around horse and buggies here.

Carry permits are a form, fee, and 2 references.

Summers are hot, and its not a dry heat. Last summer was 100 with a heat index of 115 for a week straight. Winters are cold. Its not unusual to see single digit temperatures with a wind chill factor below zero.

All that being said, many people I went to school with, went all over the country and came back home.

I'll probably never live anywhere else.

KaptKaos · 12-28-2013, 04:40 PM

Outside of Florida, Pennsyltucky has the next largest population of retirees. Lots of Buicks too, go figure.

The Poconos is a fun area, with all of the seasonal stuff you could want. You're not to far from NYC which is good.

If you can handle the cold and the snow, I'd give it a serious look.

Also, it is the sticks. Lots of rednecks, but once you get to know them, they ain't so bad.

That part of Pennsy is dotted with small liberal arts colleges. You can take a class, or take advantage of their arts offerings, like plays and exhibits.

jwasbury · 12-28-2013, 06:31 PM

I don't know the Poconos area too well. If you're interested in PA, I suggest you also check out Bucks County, PA. I have a 2nd home in upper Bucks County. 1.5 hours from my primary in Jersey City (just across the Hudson from Manhattan). I think it's a great area and could easily see retiring there, or making it the primary residence if the job situation changed for the worse for me in NYC.

motion · 12-28-2013, 06:36 PM

Hugh, you should check into Billings, MT. Elevation is only about 3300, so winters are more mild than you might think. Also, Stevensville area in western MT is very nice. Its known as the banana belt of Montana. No sales tax, too

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Bucks Co. is as nice as it gets. But property taxes are pretty outrageous. Been a while, but I did a few loans in PA and the taxes and closing costs were eye popping. Still, it's a LOT better than NJ or NY.

fastfredracing · 12-29-2013, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyount

Not all that difficult to get a concealed license in what we call Pennsyltucky (Philly on one side,Pittsburgh on the other,Pennsyltucky in the middle). You don't want to get between the locals and hunting/fishing etc. Kids get the first day of deer season off as a scheduled holiday to give you an idea.
I've always seen northern PA as a bit out of the way other than close to NYC. Make a trip out this way and see south central pa , tons of history from Lancaster/York/Gettysburg/Carlisle and not far from Harpers Ferry and VA horse country.

A friend of the family recently moved here from the west coast. She is a second grade teacher, and used to big city living,
She was teaching her new classroom about the weather, and asked the class to name the four seasons , when one of her male students replied " small game season, dear season , archery season etc....."

widgeon13 · 12-29-2013, 03:28 AM

They do have cheap gas, relatively but I wouldn't go there if you paid my way.

Taz's Master · 12-29-2013, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgeon13

They do have cheap gas, relatively but I wouldn't go there if you paid my way.

Good advice, there are too many people in PA already, especially the rural areas.

genrex · 12-29-2013, 04:34 AM

Hugh, you might look to the south... the Cape May, NJ area is 3 - 3.5 hours from Manhattan, and from what I hear it's very nice. Is that too far?

jwasbury · 12-29-2013, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Bucks Co. is as nice as it gets. But property taxes are pretty outrageous. Been a while, but I did a few loans in PA and the taxes and closing costs were eye popping. Still, it's a LOT better than NJ or NY.

Property taxes are not cheap in Bucks for sure, but from my perspective (coming from NJ) they don't seem too bad. It's all relative. When the wife and I were shopping for a country home that was an easy weekend commute from NYC, I tried to steer towards Orange and Sullivan Counties in NY as I have an interest in being in close proximity to the track at Monticello. The Mrs. had zero desire to look there. Bucks was "it". There seems to be a much higher concentration of arts and culture in Bucks vs. most of the other areas that are "weekend warrior" distance from NYC. I suppose there are choices in the Hudson Valley, but I think the I-78 corridor is one of the best NYC "escape" routes. IMHO, YMMV, etc.