Rural area with a private community in Clifton Township
Clifton Township, in southeastern Lackawanna County, about 15 miles southeast of Scranton, is nestled in the northern half of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. A mix of residences along state roads, state game lands and lakes characterize this area. About 1,500 people live here, mostly concentrated within the private Big Bass Lake community in the eastern part of the township. “It’s a really nice lakefront community,” says Kristin Doerger, a Realtor with Keller Williams Real Estate. “It’s out on the outskirts of the Poconos, so you don’t have the crazy congestion, but you can still get to the Poconos in 20 minutes.” The Big Bass Lake Community Association organizes events and maintains shared amenities. “The amenities are second to none,” Doerger says. “What you’re getting is a gated community with all the amenities, but also the privacy of being in the trees. You won’t see your neighbor's house from yours.”
Varied styles and price points, mostly in the Big Bass Lake community
The median sale price in Clifton Township is $375,000. Recent sales within Big Bass Lake have cost anywhere from $210,000 to $840,000, so there is a wide variety of price points here. “The prices are a little higher, but you get a lot of bang for your buck with the privacy and amenities,” Doerger says. Big Bass Lake homes come in a variety of styles, including New Traditional, Craftsman and ranch-style designs. “You can also do short-term rentals here, which is a big deal,” Doerger says. “Many of my clients are looking for vacation homes or to use for short-term rentals.”
Beyond Big Bass Lake, pockets of homes line the roads stretching through the township among woods, fields and water, some lying on wide lawns or among outbuildings and farmland, others tucked back deep in the trees. A handful of split-levels lie on the shores of Lake Champagne. The township has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2, lower than the national average of 4.
Hunting, fishing and state parks and forests to explore
Outdoor recreation is important to this area’s character. Clifton Acres Park Trail has recently opened, according to the town’s website. Locals can fish at any number of nearby lakes or hunt, trap and fish in the state game lands that surround the area, provided they have the appropriate permits. Pinchot State Forest, Gouldsboro State Park and Tobyhanna State Park provide more natural areas to explore, as do hiking spots such as Prospect Rock and Frank Gantz trailheads.
Well-regarded North Pocono School District serves the area
North Pocono School District earns a B-plus from Niche. Moscow and Jefferson elementary schools earn A-minus grades, while North Pocono Intermediate School, another elementary school, scores a B-plus. North Pocono Middle School and North Pocono High School both earn B-pluses. The high school offers Dual Enrollment classes in cooperation with Lackawanna College, a private college in Scranton that also has an Environmental Education Center just outside Clifton Township.
Park gatherings, and the Big Bass Lake Community Association organizes events
Fridays in the Park are events for older residents that rotate among different local parks. Tuesdays in July is an art and music series. The Big Bass Lake Community Association hosts movie nights, a polar plunge, and holiday parades such as a July 4th celebration and much more.
A car-dependent area with interstates and airports nearby
Interstate 380 cuts through the township, connecting to Interstate 80 to the south and Interstates 84, 81 and 476 to the north near Scranton. Philadelphia is about 115 miles south, and New York City is 107 miles east, so residents can get to those big East Coast cities in about 2 hours. Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is the closest airport, about 18 miles away, though for more flight choices, residents may want to fly out of Philadelphia or New York. There isn’t public transit in the township, so residents will likely require a vehicle. Commonwealth Health’s Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton is about 16 miles away.
A few local restaurants and bars, with shopping in Daleville or Scranton
Between the rural areas and the gated private community, shopping and dining choices in the township are limited. “You’re not overloaded with stuff,” Doerger says. “It’s very rural, but you can get anything you need by driving 20 minutes.” Businesses mostly cluster along Drinker Turnpike, including a handful of national chains. Diners can stop at Lombardi’s Bar and Grill, Damien’s Eatery and Sofia’s Pizza and Trattoria along the turnpike, while Passing the Thyme is a member-only restaurant in Big Bass Lake. Dutchman Tavern in Gouldsboro serves classic American fare. While the township has a Dollar General and a gas station, residents may want to head to the ShopRite in Daleville for groceries. For shopping malls, the best bet is to head to Scranton or Wilkes-Barre.
