Rural lifestyle close to nature in Luzerne County
Conyngham Township in Luzerne County is a rural area flanked by the Susquehanna River. It includes the small community of Mocanaqua, a former coal company town, which is now home to a handful of quiet residential streets. The main appeal of Conyngham Township lies in its rural lifestyle close to nature where homebuyers can find properties under $200,000. This Appalachian township mainly consists of forests and fields. “The area is very mountainous with a beautiful fall season,” says Jenine Finarelli, a real estate agent at Century 21 Signature Properties who lives and works in Luzerne County. “We get a whole lot of fall foliage, so there’s a lot of people visiting in the fall,” Finarelli says of the northeast Pennsylvania region. The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Fishing in the Susquehanna and hiking in Pinchot State Forest
When it comes to outdoor recreation, locals can go fishing for bass and trout in Lily Lake and in the Susquehanna River. The river is well known as one of the better fishing areas in the state. Walleye are a popular target for anglers, but the river is also home to trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish and carp. Residents can get fishing and kayaking gear at Five Mountain Outfitters directly across the river in the town of Shickshinny. Those who venture down to test their luck with the fish need to be aware that the riverbanks carry a flood risk, especially in the spring.
For more terrestrial recreation, residents can head to the Pinchot State Forest. home to hiking trails and waterfalls. The 54,000 acre area was established in 1902 as a response to the depleting of forestland throughout the area following the clear-cutting of native old-growth trees by industries. It was named for conservationist Gifford Pinchot. In addition to winding their way along the many trails, outdoor enthusiasts can also go mountain biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and horseback riding along the state forest’s recreational paths. The Mocanaqua Loop Trail, commonly called the Moc Loop, is a system of four trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels, passing by forests, hills, the river and occasionally relics of the area’s coal mining past. For even more outdoor adventures, Council Cup Campground is a 400 acre parcel with more than 100 year-round camping sites, ranging from tents to cabins. The pet-friendly campground also has a special area for RV camping. Campers can fish for trout in the stocked stream, hike the more than 6 miles of trails, play a round of disc golf on the nine-hole course or burn off some energy at the playground.
Single-family homes in rural Conyngham Township
Conyngham Township has hilly terrain, and houses often feature views of the rugged Appalachian Mountains. Homes are clustered along a few roads, which otherwise stretch past large swaths of trees and farms. Buyers can find older homes built in the 19th and 20th centuries, including Victorians and farmhouses. Prices typically range from about $100,000 to $200,000.
Public education in nearby Nanticoke
Students are zoned for the Greater Nanticoke Area (GNA) School District, rated C-minus on Niche, and public schools are clustered in the nearby town of Nanticoke. Kennedy Early Childhood Center, not yet rated on Niche, serves prekindergartners through second graders, while GNA Elementary Center, rated C-minus, serves grades three through five. Middle schoolers may advance to C-minus-rated GNA Educational Center, and high schoolers may attend GNA Senior High School, rated C. According to U.S. News & World Report, 89% of students at GNA Senior High are considered economically disadvantaged, and the high school boasts an 87% graduation rate.
Conyngham Township’s small selection of restaurants and stores
Shopping and dining options are limited in Conyngham Township. In Mocanaqua, locals can grab pizza at Slice of Heaven or sit down at Main Street Bar and Grill for steak and seafood. Heller Orchards is a farm market that’s supplied the area with fresh local produce for over 100 years. Known for their apples, the small business hosts the Apple Festival every October, which also features local wine, beer and food vendors. For more comprehensive shopping options, residents can head to Bloomsburg, about 30 miles west. Buckhorn Plaza in Bloomsburg is home to Walmart Supercenter, Lowe's, Marshall's and a variety of other stores and restaurants.
Driving through Luzerne County
Conyngham Township is a car-dependent community. State Route 239, the only major road in town, runs parallel to the Susquehanna. It connects drivers to Interstate 80, which stretches east-west across Pennsylvania. Air travel from Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is about 30 miles north, and locals can get medical care at Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
