We are seriously considering moving over to PA due to many reasons in the spring and wondering where we should start looking.

 

I need to be accessible to NJ/NYC within a reasonable time because of my job and thought that by sticking around the 276 corridor would be the way to go.

 

Any suggestions of desirable/safe places to live ?

 

Ed

look into the portland/bangor area. nice and rural, and no crime.

Many people take Amtrak express train from pa to NYC going to work every day.

look into the portland/bangor area. nice and rural, and no crime.

 

just shot at some small range in Bangor yday!

just shot at some small range in Bangor yday!

 

SHHH otherwise it's not going to remain small.

just shot at some small range in Bangor yday!

SHHHHHHHH dont talk about my range!!!! I dont want MALL NINJAS or idiots to find out about it!

SHHHHHHHH dont talk about my range!!!! I dont want MALL NINJAS or idiots to find out about it!

 

Tool late...

Many people take Amtrak express train from pa to NYC going to work every day.

 

And many people drive their econoboxes from PA to NYC everyday. How about some useful information??

My wife and I really like the Dingmans Ferry/Milford area. Gorgeous, rural, quiet and best of all CHEAP! You get a lot for your money there unlike the NJ.

 

-Scott

My wife and I really like the Dingmans Ferry/Milford area. Gorgeous, rural, quiet and best of all CHEAP! You get a lot for your money there unlike the NJ.

 

-Scott

 

 

we have a house in Dingmans Ferry!

Bucks County... Closer to Trenton. Easy train ride to NYC from Trenton.

Easton,PA area

 

Ride I-78 all the way to NYC

Pm me. Ive been house hunting there. Ill tell you everything you need to know

Bucks County... Closer to Trenton. Easy train ride to NYC from Trenton.

 

This^^^^^^^^^

 

Yardley, Washington's Crossing area. Not cheap, but you're used to that living in NJ. Good train access and just about midway between metropolitan centers, for those with big city cultural addictions.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob<----lives on the wrong side of the river

It looks like Bucks County has most of the options we're looking for.

 

Thanks for the responses

Bangor is a shithole. And it's going to get worse as gangs continue to move south from the Poconos.

 

You people shooting at East Bangor or Rosetto? LOL, I'm guessing EB. Are they still $5 per year? I heard it went up. I lost the number for Jewls' bar to get the information.

 

I can't imagine a daily driving commute to NYC from any location in PA whatsoever. I have done a lot of long-range commuting on a routine basis but this is the worst, from any start point. I don't know about the trains, though, so I would definitely look at that, some hybrid plan.

 

Those turkeys running down 80 or 78 are completely insane. Heck, I run down 78 a couple times a week, I know!

Due almost solely to the draconian laws regarding firearms ownership and CCW in NJ, plus the fact that I can transfer fairly-easily to a location in PA, I've been looking for a place there as well.

 

Started in Easton, and saw more gang colors and hood rats than you'd see in a day in Brooklyn. There are some areas that have been gentrified, but I'm not interested in being the pioneer sort, so...

 

We started down Rt. 611 from Easton and found a couple of nice homes right on the river in Riegelsville and Raubsville. Only problem there was, due to the massive flooding from the Delaware (twice in the last decade) there were obvious signs of water damage, and the potential for mold issues in the future. If you look in those two towns, or in Williams Township, which is essentially Easton South, and go to the west a bit, you'll find some nice, rural areas not in the flood plain, and which can be had for anywhere from $159k to $300k, depending on the size and the lot.

 

Heading out on 78 West, we looked in Hellertown: very quaint, throw-back town, but a real b*tch to get in and out of, due to the fact that there is only one, two-lane road in and out of there. It's down the road from Bethlehem, which does have some very nice, old homes and a happening downtown area--as well as the Sands Casino, but also a high crime rate for its size. Emmaus is very nice, very suburban with decent access to roads and a good school system. Allentown...well, poor Allentown has seen much better days, I'm afraid. Despite it's solid housing stock and beautiful parks, it's downtown area (numbered streets) has turned into a hell-hole. My wife volunteered to do help out a high school color guard one day last year, and while standing outside the school was offered some "Diesel" by a local skell. Diesel being one of the more popular brands of heroin, apparently.

 

If you go due south of Allentown you'll come to Macungie, which has many gainfully-employed folks, thanks to the Mack Truck Plant, and a very rural feel. You can buy an old farmstead right outside of town for a ridiculous price, and the people are super-friendly. Macungie is the odds-on favorite for us right now, but we're always looking for that perfect home/perfect location before we make the move. Check out the above towns on www.trulia.com, or www.zillow.com for lots of good information and to get a good feel for the PA real estate market.

 

Lots of luck!

 

Scott

Due almost solely to the draconian laws regarding firearms ownership and CCW in NJ, plus the fact that I can transfer fairly-easily to a location in PA, I've been looking for a place there as well.

 

Started in Easton, and saw more gang colors and hood rats than you'd see in a day in Brooklyn. There are some areas that have been gentrified, but I'm not interested in being the pioneer sort, so...

 

We started down Rt. 611 from Easton and found a couple of nice homes right on the river in Riegelsville and Raubsville. Only problem there was, due to the massive flooding from the Delaware (twice in the last decade) there were obvious signs of water damage, and the potential for mold issues in the future. If you look in those two towns, or in Williams Township, which is essentially Easton South, and go to the west a bit, you'll find some nice, rural areas not in the flood plain, and which can be had for anywhere from $159k to $300k, depending on the size and the lot.

 

Heading out on 78 West, we looked in Hellertown: very quaint, throw-back town, but a real b*tch to get in and out of, due to the fact that there is only one, two-lane road in and out of there. It's down the road from Bethlehem, which does have some very nice, old homes and a happening downtown area--as well as the Sands Casino, but also a high crime rate for its size. Emmaus is very nice, very suburban with decent access to roads and a good school system. Allentown...well, poor Allentown has seen much better days, I'm afraid. Despite it's solid housing stock and beautiful parks, it's downtown area (numbered streets) has turned into a hell-hole. My wife volunteered to do help out a high school color guard one day last year, and while standing outside the school was offered some "Diesel" by a local skell. Diesel being one of the more popular brands of heroin, apparently.

 

If you go due south of Allentown you'll come to Macungie, which has many gainfully-employed folks, thanks to the Mack Truck Plant, and a very rural feel. You can buy an old farmstead right outside of town for a ridiculous price, and the people are super-friendly. Macungie is the odds-on favorite for us right now, but we're always looking for that perfect home/perfect location before we make the move. Check out the above towns on www.trulia.com, or www.zillow.com for lots of good information and to get a good feel for the PA real estate market.

 

Lots of luck!

 

Scott

 

 

I think you should look at areas north of 22, not everything south of 22.

mipafox:

 

No offense meant by sharing our experiences in looking in PA, but I could see now how generalizing about a relatively-small sampling could paint an entire region in a bad way.

 

I've been to areas north of 22, coming into PA through Belvidere, NJ. Saw a bit of Bangor, E. Bangor, Pen Argyl, Mt. Bethel, etc., and it was very pretty country. Commute would be a bear for me, though, as Rt. 78 is the straightest shot west for me to and from work. Having dealt with the now-infamous Rt. 33 a few times, that is not a road I'd want to rely on for a daily commute.

 

But there ARE some very nice areas up that way, I agree.

 

Best,

Scott

mipafox:

 

No offense meant by sharing our experiences in looking in PA, but I could see now how generalizing about a relatively-small sampling could paint an entire region in a bad way.

 

What? I don't understand what you mean. There was some sort of offense or painting of Lehigh Valley in a bad way? You lost me.

 

I've been to areas north of 22, coming into PA through Belvidere, NJ. Saw a bit of Bangor, E. Bangor, Pen Argyl, Mt. Bethel, etc., and it was very pretty country.

 

Shitholes.

 

Commute would be a bear for me, though, as Rt. 78 is the straightest shot west for me to and from work. Having dealt with the now-infamous Rt. 33 a few times, that is not a road I'd want to rely on for a daily commute.

 

I've been on the "now-infamous Rt. 33" almost every day for three years, including weekends, only seen a backup about once a year. As opposed to 78 in PA, which has backups monthly. Maybe you are thinking about 33 up towards the shithole Bangor, etc? I've never had a problem up there but I only go up there for a reason, not for routine.

 

But there ARE some very nice areas up that way, I agree.

 

Best,

Scott

 

 

When I said "north of 22" I meant ON THE NORTH SIDE OF 22. I didn't mean shitholes like Bangor or the Poconos. Palmer, Forks, Nazareth, College Hill, Bethlehem Township (not City). Everything south of 22 is congested and shitty. Now, I know you have looked into this quite a bit and you are an expert on it. So, I will defer to your judgment. I just have to throw in my 2 cents having lived here for 4 years.

 

It took me 5 years to find my house in PA because I was stupid and drew a circle on a map without thinking what might be outside it by 5 minutes. If only I had you to guide me, I'd still be living in NJ after 9 years of trying to move.

After reading this thread, I understand why most of us are still living in NJ and complaining all day long.

Nice of you to take this so personal. Didn't take me long to make friends on this board I see, LOL.

 

Listen, pal...I never claimed to be an "expert" on Pennsy real estate: I gave my honest, first-hand OPINIONS on what I've seen over the last few years. I gave specific locations and details that I'VE accumulated. You, on the other hand, pretty much crap on everywhere but wherever you've landed, and quote NORTH OF 22 as the place to be. Where NORTH OF 22? It's a big state. CENTRALIA is NORTH OF 22, but I have no desire to do my bbq'ing over a crack in my driveway.

 

Cripes, make some constructive suggestions rather than try to belittle me, okay? Man, you sound like just the sort of former New Jerseyean that these Pennsylvanians LOVE having shlep across the Delaware.

Nice of you to take this so personal. Didn't take me long to make friends on this board I see, LOL.

 

Listen, pal...I never claimed to be an "expert" on Pennsy real estate: I gave my honest, first-hand OPINIONS on what I've seen over the last few years. I gave specific locations and details that I'VE accumulated. You, on the other hand, pretty much crap on everywhere but wherever you've landed, and quote NORTH OF 22 as the place to be. Where NORTH OF 22? It's a big state. CENTRALIA is NORTH OF 22, but I have no desire to do my bbq'ing over a crack in my driveway.

 

Cripes, make some constructive suggestions rather than try to belittle me, okay? Man, you sound like just the sort of former New Jerseyean that these Pennsylvanians LOVE having shlep across the Delaware.

 

Take the good advice and consider constructive civil arguments and comments, ignore the rest. I see you're new on the boards, welcome.

Nice of you to take this so personal. Didn't take me long to make friends on this board I see, LOL.

 

Didn't take it personal one bit.

 

Listen, pal...I never claimed to be an "expert" on Pennsy real estate: I gave my honest, first-hand OPINIONS on what I've seen over the last few years. I gave specific locations and details that I'VE accumulated. You, on the other hand, pretty much crap on everywhere but wherever you've landed, and quote NORTH OF 22 as the place to be. Where NORTH OF 22? It's a big state. CENTRALIA is NORTH OF 22, but I have no desire to do my bbq'ing over a crack in my driveway.

 

I'm sure your first-hand opinions are more important that my... Umm... Real experience? Continuous real experience? Over the course of years? Every single day?

 

Then again, we all have opinions and likes and dislikes. Just don't pull your "first-hand OPINIONS on what I've seen over the last few years" on me since I live here for crying out loud.

 

Cripes, make some constructive suggestions rather than try to belittle me, okay?

 

 

Did you miss this?

 

When I said "north of 22" I meant ON THE NORTH SIDE OF 22. I didn't mean shitholes like Bangor or the Poconos. Palmer, Forks, Nazareth, College Hill, Bethlehem Township (not City).

 

Were those not constructive suggestions?

 

BTW, I obviously just re-read my post, and I have determined I was a serious dick And I apologize for that. At the moment, I can't even believe I was that much of an asshole. But I was. One more thing, it was all true as far as I can tell.

 

Once again, just to be clear, sorry about being a dick.

Didn't take it personal one bit.

 

 

 

I'm sure your first-hand opinions are more important that my... Umm... Real experience? Continuous real experience? Over the course of years? Every single day?

 

Then again, we all have opinions and likes and dislikes. Just don't pull your "first-hand OPINIONS on what I've seen over the last few years" on me since I live here for crying out loud.

 

 

 

 

Did you miss this?

 

 

 

Were those not constructive suggestions?

 

BTW, I obviously just re-read my post, and I have determined I was a serious dick And I apologize for that. At the moment, I can't even believe I was that much of an asshole. But I was. One more thing, it was all true as far as I can tell.

 

Once again, just to be clear, sorry about being a dick.

 

No biggie: keyboards don't allow for nuances, unfortunately. Hope to meet up with you at a Pennsy range one of these days. Just waiting on my SA XD M 40 to ship in, and then we're taking a trip west.

 

Regards,

Scott

Easton,PA area

 

Ride I-78 all the way to NYC

 

 

No No NO! Obviously you don't run 78 to/from work. Shall we start the discussion about the PA drivers on their morning commute? It's past time to blow up all of the bridges across the Delaware

Why do all PA drivers jump into the left lane and just sit there! Do they not look in their rear view mirror at the long line of cars behind them? Step on the gas dammit or get out of the way! Seriously!

Why do all PA drivers jump into the left lane and just sit there! Do they not look in their rear view mirror at the long line of cars behind them? Step on the gas dammit or get out of the way! Seriously!

 

They say the same thing about us.

 

In my experience, it breaks down like this. PA drivers are, on average, a little better at driving and a little more concientious and cooperative than South NJ drivers. BUT - they have an extremely small, but higher percentage of complete friggen morons. The kind of people that drive off the road or turn into a parking lot on the wrong side of the median into incoming traffic. I saw very little of that in NJ.

 

Also, PA drivers are FAR less tollerant of people hanging out in the left lane than NJ drivers are. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that people have been shot in PA for hanging out in the left lane. 33 south to 78 in Lehigh Valley is a great example, and I experience it every day. 33 spits into 3 lanes, one is 78 East and two are 78 West. I can be 100 yards from the split, and PA people are tailgating and giving me the finger because I am in the left lane and going less than 80 mph. On what is turning into a friggen exit ramp. They are going west, they are just trying to pass me on the exit ramp. I am going east, I can't do that without being in the left lane.

Why do all PA drivers jump into the left lane and just sit there! Do they not look in their rear view mirror at the long line of cars behind them? Step on the gas dammit or get out of the way! Seriously!

 

I think it's more of the eastern PA folks that do that, from riding through the state from all directions I can tell where I am by how the drivers drive, get with-in 25 maybe 40 miles from NJ and they are different drivers and your go right into your Joisey defensive mode.

 

Oh and the left lane crap, don't know but you know what they call them on NJ 101.5 right?? LOL

 

Harry

You could not pay me to listen to 101.5 so I have no idea what they call them!