9 Best Places to Live in The Poconos in 2024

Living in Poconos towns like Jim Thorpe, Lake Harmony, Honesdale, Big Boulder Lake, Goldsboro, Milford, Arrowhead Lake, Blakeslee, and Lake Wallenpaupack offers a trifecta of safety, beauty, and fun. Surrounded by scenic mountains and pristine lakes, these towns provide a haven amidst nature's splendor. Crime rates are low, and residents enjoy a close-knit community vibe. From hiking along wooded trails to skiing down powdery slopes, outdoor adventures abound, ensuring endless fun for all ages. With charming local shops, cozy cafes, and cultural attractions, there's never a dull moment.

Jim Thorpe

Often referred to as the "Switzerland of America," Jim Thorpe is a picturesque town in northeastern Pennsylvania's foothills of the Pocono Mountains. Thanks to its small-town atmosphere and close-knit community, it has a low crime rate. Named after an Olympic medal winner, the town is well-known for its outdoor recreational opportunities. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of heart-pounding activities all season long. Hike or bike in the beautiful 6000-acre Lehigh Gorge State Park, try whitewater rafting in the Lehigh River, swim in Mauch Chunk Lake, or ski at Blue Mountain Resort.

Jim Thorpe offers a charming downtown area with unique shops, art galleries, and restaurants. The Mauch Chunk Opera House, one of America’s oldest vaudeville theatres, has a vibrant arts and music scene, with live performances and events throughout the year. Built in 1881, the theatre was a popular stop for wannabe vaudeville stars, and in 2024, it still hosts a variety of comedy shows, film festivals, and dozens of live tribute concerts to Elton John, the Rolling Stones, James Taylor, and more every year.

Lake Harmony

Lake Harmony generally maintains a low crime rate, benefiting from its status as a popular resort and vacation destination. This serene community centers around the picturesque Lake Harmony, the cleanest lake in the Poconos, offering residents and visitors access to water sports, hiking trails, and beautiful natural scenery. Thanks to the nearby Pocono Mountains and attractions like the year-round Jack Frost Big Boulder resort, outdoor enthusiasts can partake in various activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.

In Lake Harmony’s quiet downtown area, residents can enjoy waterside dining at Nick’s Lakehouse Restaurant or stop at the unique Piggy’s Restaurant, where children under 12 can order breakfast or lunch off the “piglet” menu before heading next door to Hog Heaven Ice Cream. Tucked between Jim Thorpe and Lake Harmony, Hickory Run State Park is 16,000 acres of sun and fun. Open year-round from sunrise to sunset, there are over 40 miles of hiking trails with names like “Shades of Death Trail,” “Hawk Falls,” and “Boulder Field”—an ancient landscape covered by rocks up to 26 feet long.

Honesdale

Honesdale is known as the “Birthplace of the American Railroad” and welcomed its first steam locomotive in 1829. In 2024, you can still catch a ride in a restored vintage railroad coach along the Lackawaxen River Valley on the Stourbridge Line, which runs festive holiday and seasonal excursions year-round for the whole family. Explore the historic Main Street, order a beer and a slice at the Here and Now Brewing Company, or shop for one-of-a-kind gifts at Gather. Visit the Wayne County Historical Society for insights into the town’s rich heritage.

The Christmas classic, “Winter Wonderland,” performed by everyone from Bing Crosby to Michael Bublé and over two hundred other artists, was inspired by Honesdale and written by resident Richard Smith in 1934. The cost of living in Honesdale is 11% lower than the U.S. average. Most of the residents of Honesdale own their own homes, and the median listing home price in 2024 is $340,000.

Big Boulder Lake

Situated near Lake Harmony, Big Boulder Lake offers residents the best of both worlds: lake life and city life. Residents can enjoy living on a lake minutes away from multiple cities. The lake is abundant with sports fish like bass, crappie, and trout and is a popular setting for summer fishing, boating, swimming, and paddleboarding. The town is also a golfer's paradise, close to the Jack Frost National Gulf Club, the Mountain Laurel Golf Club, and the Split Rock Golf Club. During winter, residents head for the mountains to ski, snowboard, and snow tube at the nearby Big Boulder Mountain Resort.

Within an hour’s drive of Big Boulder Lake, residents often head to the nearby cities of Scranton or Allentown. Fans of the iconic TV show “The Office” can pose in front of the Dwight Schrute mural or visit the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail to enjoy 70 miles of hiking, biking, or walking trails. Allentown is Pennsylvania’s third largest city and was once the hiding place of the Liberty Bell during the British occupation of Philadelphia.

Goldsboro

Goldsboro is a peaceful rural community with a reasonably low crime rate and many neighborhood parks. The median listing home price in 2024 is $350,000, and most residents are young professionals or retirees who own their own homes. Nature lovers will be in their element in Goldsboro, with activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and boating in Goldsboro State Park and Tobyhanna State Park, which has a 5,000-acre park and a 170-acre lake.

While Goldsboro itself is primarily residential, the nearby town of Mount Pocono offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and, because this is the Poconos, several tourist attractions like the Mount Airy Casino Resort-a Top Ten Casino Hotel, Pocono Rocks-a family-oriented recreational center with a climbing wall, inflatables, and a ninja warrior course, and Big Screen Escapes—themed rooms that challenge visitors to solve clues and riddles to escape the room in under 60 minutes.

Milford

Named one of Frommer’s “Ten Coolest Small Towns,” Milford, population 1200 in 2024, is a pretty riverside retreat along the Delaware River. Admire the town’s Victorian architecture by taking a walking tour of the historic district and visiting the famous Grey Towers—the home of the founder of the USDA Forest Service, who introduced the concept of conservation to America.

While there are many outdoor activities to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding Pocono Mountains, like the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Milford has a vibrant arts and culture scene that is well worth exploring. The Milford Readers and Writers Festival is an annual event held at the century-old Milford Theater, which first opened as a “silent” movie house. The theater also holds the Black Bear Film Festival, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in October 2024 and offers an award for films that highlight conservancy in the birthplace of the American Conservation Movement.

Arrowhead Lake

A private, gated community in Pocono Lake, Arrowhead Lake features two pristine lakes-Arrowhead Lake and North Arrowhead Lake-as well as amenities like beaches, playgrounds, a community lodge with a library, billiard and banquet rooms, and walking trails. Due to its status as a gated community with security measures in place, Arrowhead Lake maintains a low crime rate. The median listing price of a house in the area in 2024 is $600,000. Property taxes within the Arrowhead Lake community vary, but residents may benefit from community amenities and services covered by homeowner association fees.

For those looking to explore beyond the community, there are endless activities for residents of Arrowhead Lake, all within a 30-minute drive. The Crossings Premium Outlets is a popular destination with over 100 brand-name outlet stores. Families can enjoy an afternoon of endless fun at nearby H20oooh!—an indoor waterpark at Split Rock Resort with cascading slides, swirling rapids, a wave pool, and a leaping lilypad crossing zone.

Blakeslee

Living in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of rural tranquility and access to outdoor activities in the Pocono Mountains throughout the year. With minimal effort in nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park, hikers can discover two waterfalls near the Rockport Access to the park—Buttermilk Falls and Luke’s Falls. In summer, residents enjoy fishing and picnicking, while in the winter, residents enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing at nearby ski resorts like Camelback Mountain Resort.

Blakeslee has a close-knit community where neighbors often know each other and come together for local events and activities. Residents can enjoy a strong sense of community and support. Housing in Blakeslee tends to be more affordable than in urban areas, making it an attractive option for families, retirees, and those seeking a quieter lifestyle.

While Blakeslee maintains its rural charm, it does have several restaurants, cafes, and shops catering to locals and tourists. Nearby towns such as Pocono Lake and Pocono Pines provide additional amenities and services for residents and visitors alike, including grocery stores and pharmacies. For more extensive shopping trips, a night out in the town, or to catch a show, residents hit the highways to nearby cities like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Stroudsburg.

Lake Wallenpaupack

At 13 miles in length and 30 feet deep, Lake Wallenpaupack is the largest lake in the Poconos. Visitors to the area and residents take full advantage of the lake’s size to engage in water sports like water and jet skiing, scuba diving, kayaking, and swimming. In the winter, the lake becomes a popular ice skating and ice fishing destination. There are four islands on Lake Wallenpaupack, including Kipp Island. The islands are open to the public, but when eagles and eaglets are in residence, usually from January through July, the islands are off-limits to the public. The lake is home to 26 fish species, including Striped Bass, Walleyes, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout, and more.

With a population of 1100 residents, 90% of people own their own homes in Lake Wallenpaupack. The area boasts a crime rate far below the national average, making it a safe place to live and work. The town celebrates Wally Lake Fest every summer, a 3-day festival to help summer last a little longer. Float on the waves, watch live music performances, browse vendor fairs and markets, and get to know your neighbors at this community-wide event.

Discover Your Pocono Paradise: A Guide to the Region's Best Towns

The towns in the Pocono Mountains region of northeastern Pennsylvania offer diverse lifestyles and experiences for residents and visitors. From the picturesque charm of Jim Thorpe to the serene beauty of Lake Harmony, each place boasts its unique attractions and amenities. The abundance of natural landscapes provides endless opportunities for adventure, whether hiking through state parks, skiing down snowy slopes, or enjoying water sports on pristine lakes. Meanwhile, those seeking cultural experiences can explore historic landmarks, vibrant arts scenes, and annual festivals celebrating local heritage and creativity. With close-knit communities, low crime rates, and affordable housing options, these nine towns are perfect for individuals and families looking to embrace a relaxed yet vibrant lifestyle amidst the stunning beauty of the Pocono Mountains.