Planning on moving to the Tamaqua / Hometown area. What are some nice areas in this general vicinity?

Submitted by STEVE_HOLT___ t3_zvzd0l in Pennsylvania

I apologize if this has been asked before, I haven't seen any discussion on this here. Sorry if this breaks any rules!

I'll be moving into the Tamaqua / Hometown area for a job. What are some nice places around here I should be looking for?

I saw awful things about Hazelton online, so I figure that's out. But that doesn't leave many choices. Macadoo, Hometown, or Tamaqua itself? Hopefully I can find something that is safe and not depressing (although I'm willing to compromise on the depressing part if need be).

I appreciate any help!

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Allemaengel t1_j1s0qb9 wrote

I grew up south of Tamaqua in the New Tripoli area and would recommend West Penn Township which is everything between South Tamaqua and Blue Mountain/Lehigh County line. Nice farm/woods country but with convenient access via 895 or 443 to 309 north into Tamaqua/Hometown.. Basically anything between Andreas/Normal Square to the east and New Ringgold to the west.

4

STEVE_HOLT___ OP t1_j1s6jyx wrote

Unfortunately doesn't look like there any available listings closer to the East side near West Penn. Would you recommend further down to the west, like New Philadelphia or Pottsville?

2

Allemaengel t1_j1sdeym wrote

I don't know that area nearly as well but what I do know is that you need to do your homework diligently.

Both are actually IN the Coal Region unlike West Penn or the Mahoning Valley that are next to it.

Coal town housing tends to be really cheap, really old and filled with maintenance/renovation nightmares if you're planning to buy.

3

STEVE_HOLT___ OP t1_j1sew51 wrote

I have no plans to buy property in the area, just renting. I guess with this in mind, the coal towns would be worth it for the cheaper prices.

1

Allemaengel t1_j1tnhy9 wrote

In that case, yes. Just try to avoid the firetrap rodent/roach ones.

3

Odd_Shirt_3556 t1_j1se9a4 wrote

If it’s Broad Street.. you want East Broad Street. Check out Lake Hauto. It has both Tamaqua and Nesquehoning addresses

4

STEVE_HOLT___ OP t1_j1sf76d wrote

I see, is the East side a better part of the city than the West side?

Just took a look. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any listings near Lake Hauto. Thank you though

1

Odd_Shirt_3556 t1_j1sgnih wrote

Above Hometown look at Stillcreek, Weatherly, Packer Township, Ryan Township, Rush Township.

1

the_dorf t1_j1s0w67 wrote

I would be kind of closeby for the winters if you have to travel to work. Tamaqua is quiet for how rough it looks at places, but it has enough for the essentials to get by.

2

STEVE_HOLT___ OP t1_j1s40zf wrote

I thought so too. Would you recommend near Broad street? There's a gym within walking distance and a super walmart just 5-10 minutes away

1

the_dorf t1_j1sqxqc wrote

I'm just a traveler in the central/eastern part of the state, so sadly I don't know what is or isn't recommended in the borough. On a maps search, I saw the gym is near a library and historical society, so I guess it would be okay. The Walmart is in basically the shopping center outside of town and its a middle of the road location (not great, but not terrible). A suggestion is to make a trip up there if you can and hit all your marks before making your final housing decision.

1

A_Generic_White_Guy t1_j1sewy4 wrote

Everyone hates on hazleton. It's bad, but it's not that bad lmao.

Macaddoo is... Well macaddoo.

It's just houses, it's a coal town residence if you catch my drift.

Your best bet is to look on Google maps and drive through the streets.

Remember, winters suck here. We are on top of a mountain, so if you don't have a car for it you need to be close to where you work.

There's not a lot of indoor entertainment around here outside of bars. But we got some great trails, hunting land and slopes if you like outdoor stuff.

Best of luck

2

STEVE_HOLT___ OP t1_j1sfrce wrote

I actually just drove through the area today! Hazleton in person seems pretty nice when I drove through. Less run down than Tamaqua too.

Tbh I'll just be renting, so as long as I'm safe within the area, I should be fine. But I haven't heard to many good things about the coal towns as a whole...

Yes, I'm planning on bringing a car. Hopefully a sedan with winter tires should suffice! May just settle on Tamaqua though, since it's the closest to work

1

CoalCrackerKid t1_j1utkty wrote

Jim Thorpe is nice, if the drive to work isn't too much for you.

2

Flimsy-Lie-1471 t1_j1u6sko wrote

I would avoid going down that mountain in the winter if you can. So staying closer to Tamaqua would probably be your best bet.

1

STEVE_HOLT___ OP t1_j1we0rs wrote

I thought so too. Commuting from my native Lehigh valley would absolutely suck during the winters.

1

Responsible-Mud-9501 t1_j1utgng wrote

I grew up in Tamaqua, I wouldn't recommend to anyone moving anywhere near there. But I guess it depends on what your version of nice is. There are some farm like settings around it, like west penn or new ringgold, but it's generally a very depressed area, and very heavy on the conservative side.

1

STEVE_HOLT___ OP t1_j1wdx4o wrote

Tbh I’ll see if I can tolerate a year there. If not, I can either quit or apply for a job somewhere else in the city.

Worst case, I can come back to the Lehigh Valley to live with my family again if Tamaqua ends up being too much for me. Or even commute an hour from my parents, I’m just taking this way out cause I hate to drive

2

Responsible-Mud-9501 t1_j20b4jp wrote

That’s understandable, just look for something outside of the city proper of Tamaqua and you should be alright. Also go to La Dolce Casa if you’re into cheesesteak and pizza.

1