Eagle Rock Resort anchors the housing market in rural Black Creek
Black Creek covers a wide swath of land among the Blue Mountains, but many of the township’s homes are packed into its southern tip. That’s because of Eagle Rock Resort, a gated community spanning several townships, including Black Creek. The development’s wooded properties, lakefront homes and amenities ranging from horse stables to ski slopes attract a mix of year-round locals and seasonal residents who vacation here before driving a couple of hours home to Philadelphia, New York or New Jersey. “If you’re looking for a mountain retreat home, some place to retreat from the busyness of the cities, it’s a great place to come up here and relax,” says Kathy Sappie, a Realtor with Keller Williams and an Eagle Rock resident. Sappie says the lack of shops and restaurants in the area gives pause to some buyers moving from bigger cities, but she also says that’s what makes the region peaceful. “I get people from New Jersey and Philly who are looking for the convenience of where they live, but they want less traffic. You can’t have both.”
Homes range from houses in gated communities to rural estates
Homes are concentrated in residential developments on Black Creek’s southern end, namely Eagle Rock. There, custom homes and condos were built among the woodlands around Lake Choctaw and Lake Susquehanna, while empty lots are still available for new homes. Sappie says the community has a variety of views and landscapes. “We have mountain views that are gorgeous. There are lake areas. You can buy houses that back up to a golf course.”
To the north, there’s a development of New Traditional houses called Black Creek Estates. Homes are sparser in the rest of the township, where split-levels and ranches sit on acre-plus lots or are grouped into small subdivisions. Across Black Creek, single-family homes usually cost between $230,000 and $545,000, but large lakefront homes have sold for $1 million to $1.2 million. Condo prices in Eagle Rock start around $300,000.
Black Creek’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Eagle Rock has swimming and skiing, with more recreation to the north
There’s plenty of recreation for Eagle Rock residents. People can board their horses and go for trail rides at the Eagle Rock Equestrian Center, swim at Lake Susquehanna’s beach and ski down the community’s slopes. Golf legend Arnold Palmer co-designed Eagle Rock’s private 18-hole course, which is down the street from the Aquatic Center’s indoor pools. Most amenities are covered by an annual HOA fee of $1,560. Sappie says the cost stands out for many buyers, who find the fee reasonable compared to similar communities.
Outside of Eagle Rock, Nuremberg Community Park’s volleyball pit, basketball court and shaded playground are open to the public. The northern half of Black Creek features Sugarloaf Golf Club, a public course that turns into a walk-through holiday light display every December. At Whitetail Preserve Shooting Range, people can shoot skeet and take part in guided pheasant hunts. A ramp in neighboring Nescopeck Township lets boaters set out on the Susquehanna River.
Extensive arts education in Hazleton Area School District
Children in kindergarten through eighth grade can take classes about 3 miles east of Black Creek at Valley Elementary/Middle School. GreatSchools scores it a 5 out of 10, while giving Hazleton Area High School a 4 out of 10. Students can audition to join the Arts and Humanities Academy, which is housed within Hazleton Area High. The academy consists of seven studios, each focusing on a field such as communication arts, drama and humanities. In addition to taking classes, students in the academy headline local events, screen short films and perform up and down the East Coast.
Country food and cold drinks in Black Creek, retail in Hazle
One of Black Creek’s only restaurants is Sally Pursell’s Country Inn, which serves comfort food in a former stagecoach stop. The Towers serves drinks and pub food in a smoky barroom that sometimes hosts line dancing. Eagle Rock residents can make quick shopping runs to the Dollar General just outside the community. About 5 miles east of Black Creek is Hazle Township, where Walmart, Aldi and other retailers surround Laurel Mall.
Close to I-80 and I-81
Sappie says the fact that Interstates 80 and 81 are close by is a selling point for the area. Hazleton, Luzerne County’s second-biggest city, lies roughly 10 miles west. It’s home to Lehigh Valley Health Network, the closest hospital for Black Creek residents. Between Black Creek and Hazleton, drivers can get on I-81 to go 30 miles to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
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Alex Soderstrom
