Your Hard-Earned Dollar Gets You So Much More In NEPA
When it comes to purchasing that first home, there are quite a few boxes to check. Most often, the list of mounting intangibles grows well beyond curb appeal. Think of property taxes, school districts, neighbors, walkability, nearby amenities to name just a few. Whether you’re relocating for your career, returning to your hometown after college, just moving across town or seeking greener pastures, there are plenty of advantages to buying that first home right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
From comparably lower taxes, an ever-growing economy, a significantly better quality of life, countless affordable housing options and so much more, NEPA has the edge over most similarly-situated regions around the country. Alongside top-notch public and private primary, secondary and post-secondary schools, the region is also home to world-class healthcare. And we don’t like to brag but our incredible parks, trails, lakes, rivers and mountains offer some of the best four-season outdoor fun around. And don’t even get us started on our pizza.
There are just too many great reasons to make that big move and buy your first home right here. But if you need a little more convincing, check out these unique advantages to calling NEPA home.
It Makes Good Financial Sense
Affordable & Diverse Housing Market
If you compare affordable housing in NEPA to nearby metropolitan areas like New York City or Philadelphia and their expansive suburbs, you’ll find we have significantly lower median home prices. We even have a considerable edge when it comes to taxes and monthly expenses, which means that making your start here is a clear choice when it comes to affordability.
Another unique benefit to living in NEPA is the variety of diverse housing options. Whether you’re looking to spread out with a ranch style home on a few acres, renovate a historic Victorian, or enjoy the convenience of a brand-new townhome, you’ll find your perfect place in NEPA.
Convenient Location
NEPA is centrally-located within the Northeast Corridor, a region including New York, New England, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. That places us conveniently within easy driving distance to several major metropolitan areas. This proximity via many of the Northeastern Corridor’s major interstate highways allows access to reasonable job commutes, pleasure travel and it creates an advantageous atmosphere for national and global manufacturing and distribution employers that have played a major role in propelling NEPA’s regional economy forward.
A Lower Cost of Living
Alongside NEPA’s affordable housing market, you’ll also find significantly lower property taxes than our neighbors in New York and New Jersey. This translates to long-term savings, reduced monthly expenses and a clearer picture of the financial future for first-time homebuyers. In addition, our lower cost of living is integrated into everything from groceries and utilities to healthcare, transportation and so much more. Overall, it adds peace of mind to the process of making a start for recent college grads, young families and new professionals.
It’s About a Better Quality of Life
Easy Access to Nature
You’re never far from the great outdoors in NEPA. And no matter the season, there’s always a trail to explore, a slope to ski, fish to catch and incredible sights to see. The summer months are all about hiking, hitting the water and enjoying all 18 of our state parks. NEPA truly shines in autumn with long foliage-seeking drives in the mountains, camping and putting your feet up by a fire. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, winter’s got seven amazing mountain resorts calling your name. And in the spring, if you’re not angling for trout, you’ll need your camera as NEPA’s abundant flora, fauna and waterfalls come roaring back to life.
Dining, Shopping and Entertainment
From quaint, small towns to bigger (but not too big) cities, the dining, shopping and entertainment scenes across NEPA can’t be beat. Just about everywhere you find yourself in NEPA, there are gourmet restaurants, corner pubs and pizza shops and plenty of unique eateries celebrating our rich, diverse cultural landscape. You never have to travel far to find a craft brewery, a local winery or distillery. And whether you prefer arena style shows highlighting big acts or smaller, more intimate venues, NEPA is home to a thriving local music and live theater scene.
Top Quality Education
Throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, strong, community-based education is the foundation upon which our region is built. NEPA’s 10 counties are home to 64 public school districts, over 30 private, parochial and community charter schools and 8 career/technical schools. And when it comes to planning for the future, our 19 colleges and universities welcome over 60,000 local, national and international students every year.
Access to Top-Notch Healthcare
Your health is a priority in NEPA. Our four, expansive healthcare networks, their affiliated hospitals, clinics and specialty practices deliver some of the country’s most comprehensive and award-winning care. NEPA is also home to the renowned Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, where their model of community-based, patient-centered education is the future of healthcare. Many of our 19 colleges and universities also offer training, certifications and degrees in healthcare.
You Can Build a Future Here
Safe, Long-Standing Communities
NEPA offers a relaxed, less stressful pace to life. That’s certainly not to say things move slowly around here. What it means is that you have the ability to choose your own path and your own speed. We also pride ourselves on our safe, quiet, well-established neighborhoods. Settling down, starting a family, opening a small business means you’re going to need to make connections in the community. And you’ll do just that at our local churches, farmer’s markets, festivals and countless community events.
Fast Growing Economic Development
Over the last few decades, Northeastern Pennsylvania has enjoyed a fast-moving, forward-thinking economic trajectory. Every day, new small businesses are opening on our local Main Streets. Tax incentive programs, a low cost of living and affordable housing are drawing in businesses from out of state.
The region has grown into one of the nation’s largest and most efficient manufacturing and distribution hubs. Recently, we welcomed major businesses like Amazon, Lowes, Home Depot and many more. They’re competing alongside homegrown success stories like Olympia Chimney and Venting, US Hydrations and Gertrude Hawk for a coveted, hardworking and talented NEPA workforce. And they are all opening new career pathways for residents and transplants alike.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania features a variety of state-supported programs that offer both financial assistance and incentives for first-time homebuyers. Many of the programs are designed to help homebuyers secure lower interest rates, competitive loan options, help with down payments and more. Check with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for more information on assistance for first-time homebuyers.
You Grow Where you Are Planted
NEPA has always been proud of its deep community roots. Plenty of our neighborhoods stretch back to dirt roads, mule carts and coal stoves. Many of the foundations laid centuries ago still support our bustling and growing downtowns. Old businesses shake hands with startups. One generation passes the keys to the next, or from one family to another. And what has always made these community roots stronger is that there was always room to spread out and take hold, there was always rich, fertile ground from which to grow and always a welcoming smile and a helping hand to nourish new seedlings.
Go ahead and find your good patch of ground in NEPA, And see what you can grow.
