On Friday nights we would pack up our things around 8:00 pm and be at our Mt. Pocono home by 10:30, ready for a quiet night’s rest and a fun weekend. Saturday was skiing, golf, shopping, tennis, boating, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, snow tubing, swimming, biking, mobile skiing, more shopping, $7 movies at the Casino at Mt. Pocono.. Well, you get the idea. Clean, crisp mountain air, millions of stars at night… friendly people and just relaxing with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy life until we came home to New York City on Sunday night.
There is a whole new lifestyle that your family can have, enjoy the countryside and the wonderful times that a vacation home in Pocono can offer. The Poconos offers some top attractions like Camelback Ski Resort, Camel Beach Water Park, rafting on the Delaware River, or a wide range of boating and water sports on the 13-mile-long Wallenpaupack Lake. Have all the fun you want or just kick back and decompress at your private country retreat!
Where to Shop in the Poconos
There are many gated communities to choose from in the Poconos. Each one has different services (lakes, golf, tennis, etc.) that you may find attractive. I recommend that you follow these suggestions when you find a community that best suits your needs.
1. Rent: The community should be a comfortable distance to travel during your weekend getaway. Around 100 miles is reasonable. It must be located in the center of the main attractions of your interest, so that you do not spend the whole weekend driving.
2. Water/Sewer: Many communities use septic systems, which require periodic maintenance and can sometimes back up. You don’t want these headaches for a vacation home. Instead, choose a community that has central sewer. The water supply is also a consideration. I prefer a community that has centrally processed water, as opposed to well water (which can become undrinkable from time to time).
3. Services: Make sure the community has enough snow removal equipment, as some areas get large amounts of snow in winter. Also check the road surfaces in the area to make sure the roads are well maintained. Some communities rely on state and local agencies for these, which tend to be slow or poor. You’ll also want to make sure you have regular trash pickup.
4.Security: Gated communities should have private security patrols for the protection you want, rather than relying on state police for such services.
Community debt will vary widely. It is based on the number of services offered and the size of the community. Make sure your chosen community has these features to make your Pocono vacation home as worry-free as possible.
It has never been more affordable
Traditional New York City bedroom community house prices are out of your reach, forcing you to cram your family into a condo or apartment. In the Poconos you can buy a modern 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on 1/3 an acre or more in a gated community…with amenities you could only dream of for just $125,000! It can even be a fabulous place to retire. Some families choose to team up with close friends or relatives and split the cost.
Instead of the two-week vacation you normally get, your family can vacation in the Poconos year-round and never run out of fun (or relaxing) things to do. Our adult children now have happy and loving family memories of our 20 years of vacationing in Pocono! That’s why my wife and I feel that our home in Pocono is by far the best investment we’ve ever made and that your vacation home in Pocono may very well be the best investment you’ve ever made.
