Find Affordability and Appeal Nearby
By SHANNON ROXBOROUGH, SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
To drive to Pocono Pines, Pa., in the heart of the Poconos, from North Jersey is to immediately realize the bucolic region’s quaint appeal. As you head west, urban and suburban sprawl gives way to the hilly terrain of Sussex and Warren counties in northwest New Jersey. By the time you arrive, in even higher elevations, there’s no mistaking that you’re in the mountains.
The scenic alpine area has lured scores of vacationers for more than 100 years. But for decades, it was perceived as a gritty, low- end and almost languid backwater known for its seamy intrigue, post- nuptial frolicking and bare-bones natural appeal. This is where, in its ’50s and ’60s heyday, New York area families retreated from the hectic pace of urban life during the spring and summer months.
Though still a haven for tourists and honeymooners, it has more recently attracted second-home owners primarily from New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia who relish its outdoor charms and down-to-earth affordability. Now, out-of-towners arrive in SUVs and minivans to swim, kayak and fish in its many lakes, ski during the winter on expansive hillsides, and explore and enjoy the lush woodlands.
Jerry McNeil, a Bergen County native living in New York, had never visited the Poconos until friends invited him for a two-week stay last summer. He bought a home during that very visit, after having spent several years searching for the “perfect” place for him and his family to enjoy. “This is great,” said McNeil, whose friends live in Lake Naomi (570-646-9191; lakenaomiclub.com), a resort community on a 277-acre private lake. McNeil enjoyed his time at the development but found it too “contrived” for his taste. His three- bedroom, two-bath home in Tobyhanna, 25 minutes north of Pocono Pines, is a short walk to the Tobyhanna Lake and cost $109,000. “I couldn’t have bought a one-room shack in a lot of vacation-home communities for what I paid for this house,” he says.
Real estate agents from across the region estimate that one- quarter of the houses in the Poconos are vacation homes. Typical buyers are thirty- and forty-something city-weary couples with children who are seeking a weekend retreat close to nature. Houses range from small log cabins and mountain chalets to spacious Colonials and stunning contemporaries.
The notion of living in one of the several area resort developments, like Lake Naomi, is compelling for many. These intentional communities offer homeowners and vacation renters a range of amenities, including private beaches and pools, golf course and tennis court access, landscaping, snow removal, on-property restaurants and other perks.
Currently on the market is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom chalet on 1 acres for $159,000 (MLS# 06-6494), an 11-room, 4,738-square- foot traditional-style home, built in 2000, with four bedrooms and 2 baths on 1.3 acres (MLS# 07-356), listed for $379,900. And, there is a one-acre lot to build on, with an existing septic tank, priced at $34,000 (MLS# 07-462). All are listed with ERA Anderson Real Estate (30 North Ninth St., Stroudsburg, 888-236-7562; 4pocono.com).
“I fell in love with the Poconos’ natural beauty and simple living. Here, it’s not about being socially competitive and keeping up with the Joneses,” Jerry McNeil said. “In this day and age, places like this are hard to find.”
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Perks
Stretching across Pennsylvania’s Pike, Monroe, Carbon and Wayne counties, the Poconos’ 2,500 square miles of wilderness including hundreds of lakes, rivers and creeks is an outdoor lover’s dream.
Drawbacks
Winters are harsh, but residents make the best of it with cross- country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. And even in the spring and summer, nighttime temperatures in the Poconos can drop suddenly, meaning a warmer layer of clothing is a must. Also, there are no honest-to-goodness cities in or near the Poconos. The area’s largest town is East Stroudsburg, which has a population of 9,800.
The costs
The range of properties and prices is wide, but the Pocono Mountains are incredibly affordable. In many communities, two- and three-bedroom lakeside and lake-view homes sell for between $150,000 and $250,000. For those who don’t need to be right on the water, homes can start at under $100,000. Well-appointed and spacious luxury homes can be had for $300,000 to $400,000. In some areas, cabins can be found for as little as $15,000 to $25,000 (less in some cases).
Getting there
Take Route 80 west through Stroudsburg and follow Interstate 380 to the first exit. Pick up Route 940 west into Pocono Pines.
Where to stay
Pocono Pines Motor Inn & Cottages provides year-round accommodations with discounts for weeklong guests ($59-$219; 570- 226-2772; poconopinesmotorinn.com).
Shopping
Despite its rural nature, opportunities for shopping abound. There are major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot; full-blown shopping centers (Stroud Mall in Stroudsburg and the Crossings outlet mall in Tannersville); and antique shops and specialty stores of every stripe.
For more information
The Pocono Record is the region’s daily newspaper. Visit poconorecord.com. The Web site of Davis R. Chant Realtors provides information on many of the area residential communities. See chantre.com.
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Got a second-home story you’d like to share? E-mail Shannon Roxborough at ForeignPassport@aol.com
(c) 2007 Record, The; Bergen County, N.J.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.