Best “Mountain Towns” in Pennsylvania to Live and Raise a Family

Submitted by Pierce33 t3_112dpgm in Pennsylvania

Hey All,

I wanted to get some local knowledge from the best on what are the best mountain towns in PA to live. I grew up south of the Poconos my entire life but moved away a few years back, I am planning to come back with my fiancé and start a family.

I know some general areas that have mountain peaks but not sure of the best communities to live so hoping you all can help!

Off the top of my head, some areas with the highest peaks are:

-Blue Knob -Mt. Davis -Ricketts Glen

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sketticat t1_j8jqzok wrote

Closest "town" to Ricketts Glen is Benton. Not at all a mountain town. More of a farming/hunting/high school wrestling town

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sketticat t1_j8js1z5 wrote

A town that seems like a good place for a family is Wellsboro. Surrounded by mountains and PA grand canyon. Not a lot of jobs, and fairly isolated though

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Allemaengel t1_j8jxbbu wrote

Yeah, my college roommate was a wrestler from Benton.

I'm not sure OP's ready for Benton, lol.

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midgetrage7 t1_j8l0009 wrote

I grandfather was actually friends with Landon rickett.

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degilliland36 t1_j8ksib9 wrote

I say none. I live in Bradford County, PA in the Endless Mountains. Meth labs are common. When we bought our fishing licenses we were given a paper entitled "How to recognize a meth lab"

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Griff82 t1_j8nbepg wrote

I hope there are better areas than ours. We seem too attached to not having change to develop decently. I bet some places closer to State College or Jim Thorpe would be nicer.

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WestWillow t1_j8nb1ld wrote

I go to a hunting camp out near Barclay. I pass though Dushore and Canton seem like nice little one-stop-light towns. Towanda is a bit bigger, but still seems ok. That's my perspective from the truck and occasional run to get supplies. How are those towns to settle in?

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KevinByMail t1_j8k9omc wrote

Outside of williamsport is a decent area. Plenty to do for the outdoorsy type. Not as much culture as state college but arguably more of a “mountain town”.

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the_dorf t1_j8kv67f wrote

Great choice, especially with some trails on the outskirts of South Williamsport/DuBoistown area. Not too far from most of the best mountain parts of PA. Plus State College is only an hour away for the nicer amenities.

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Optimal_Spend779 t1_j8ji4pw wrote

State College, if you can afford the cost of living.

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kerubino t1_j8juod8 wrote

I recommend State College also. Lived there for 13 years and I loved it.

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justuravgjoe762 t1_j8jj7s9 wrote

Well Blue Knob is barely a village. A place like Bedford has amenities but isn't too far away.

The Laurel Highlands ( Somerset) would be less amenities but more wild. Depends on what you're looking for.

State College gets you the most culture but your going to pay for it.

I can't speak for the northeast areas because while I've passed through but I haven't lived there.

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Allemaengel t1_j8jy1cb wrote

As for the northeast, I live outside Jim Thorpe which is usually a go-to for people asking this question in eastern PA.

I like it here but I'm not sure OP would - kinda touristy.

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shirleychief t1_j8l92le wrote

Dushore, PA?

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sscheiby95 t1_j8ljvda wrote

I second Dushore. I just moved my momma up there. It’s a lovely little place.

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Head-Tangerine-9131 t1_j8kntf0 wrote

One guy on YouTube says he’s going to buy a house in Honesdale Wayne County.

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illyrianya t1_j8l6lzc wrote

Bellefonte maybe? it's hilly at least

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bobjinpa t1_j8p7pvl wrote

Bellefonte would be a great choice. Beautiful town, stuff to do, trout stream down the middle of it, and lots of mountains

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Optimal_Spend779 t1_j8lnai9 wrote

Bellefonte, Boalsburg, Port Matilda are all nice communities around State College that are a bit more affordable.

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jbot14 t1_j8mpf4l wrote

Mahanoy City,. It's surrounded by a surreal mountainous landscape, the rocks of which can be lit on fire to heat your home. Cost of living is some of the most affordable in the US. Close to major cities while still feeling completely isolated from modern society!

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Blu_Skies_In_My_Head t1_j8ldifc wrote

Eagles Mere (Sullivan County)

Mountainhome/Cresco (Monroe County)

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tuckeram7 t1_j8n66i9 wrote

What field of work are you and your fiancé in? You should search for job market things first so you can afford the location you choose. People try to move to areas with good schools and the price to live in the area is usually higher. If you’re both working fully remote, then it doesn’t matter at all. Zillow has a school rating system. (it’s not always accurate, but helps when searching as large of an area as you are) If you’re looking for hiking and outdoor activities, look around the Appalachian trail and along rivers like the Susquehanna. North/West of Harrisburg is pretty good for things like that and you can make the truck to the ‘Burg for important things or even work. There’s a lot of state jobs in the area.

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sunfunbum1234 t1_j8qcvbi wrote

Can confirm living near Lewisburg or Danville are is fantastic, so many places to go and things to do, and hiking within an hour any direction

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degilliland36 t1_j8nc5av wrote

If I had to choose a place it would probably be Mansfield in Tioga County. It's a progressive college town with a Walmart. You don't realize how much you rely on Walmart till you have to start driving 45 minutes to get to one...

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Bear_fucker_1 t1_j8pt5ez wrote

There aren’t really any mountains in pa it’s all foothills.

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NativePA t1_j8kejl8 wrote

Need to better define ‘town’ for most of PA that’s less than 2,000 people I’d guess.

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club_frills t1_j8l1thx wrote

Hard to make a recommendation - does the town itself need to be up high or does it need to be within close proximity to the mountain?

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25Bam_vixx t1_j8l3cyb wrote

I just saw a map of effected areas from OH chemical spill , I don’t know if any area west of PA would be okay anymore . It’s so sad

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jralll234 t1_j8o923a wrote

Jesus this is getting ridiculous. Anything more than a few miles away is fine.

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Failedmysanityroll t1_j8z3nab wrote

That’s not how fallout works, much less water contamination when the contaminants hit the aquifers. Before you go off on me using the word “fallout,” anytime you burn something, there will be particulates that fall back to Earth.

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jralll234 t1_j8z4n94 wrote

Who are you replying to? Where did I say fallout?

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Failedmysanityroll t1_j8z5gyh wrote

You said a few miles away is fine. Which is clearly not true.

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jralll234 t1_j8z7qhx wrote

You specifically said fallout. I never did. And more than a few, and I’m talking like 15-20 when I say a few, is fine with regards to this air pollution.

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worstatit t1_j8oidoe wrote

Tidioute. For the name!

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dxploys t1_j8ygj7q wrote

Honesdale is a quaint town. Close enough to Scranton & developed area for shopping/outings, but also out there enough where there's farmland and rolling hills for miles. It has a small town main street with small businesses second best to Jim Thorpe. The Deleware River is 15 minutes away and the Catskills (3000-4000ft mountains) are only an hour away.

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wolfmasterflash84 t1_j8ljq5y wrote

Shamokin

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sunfunbum1234 t1_j8qcpvx wrote

Not unless OP wants to be shell shocked by coal country inhabitants

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wolfmasterflash84 t1_j8qdgnb wrote

Hahaha well said

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[deleted] t1_j8zo8by wrote

Seriously, I have family in Shamokin and I can attest to this.

Kulpmont and Marion Heights are two better parts of the Coal Region.

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