Set along the Upper Delaware River between the Poconos and Catskills, Damascus is the kind of place people come for the quiet and end up staying for the lifestyle. The township is rural, scenic and feels far removed, yet it’s still within driving distance of Scranton and New York, which makes it a popular choice for second homes. At the same time, plenty of people live here year-round and embrace the slower pace of country living.
If space and privacy are high on your list, Damascus delivers. "A lot of people come up for their second homes, and a lot of people are also looking to work remotely from up here," says Barry Becker, a local Realtor who lives across the river in Narrowsburg. The township has a mix of ranch-style homes, historic farmhouses, rustic cabins and log homes. You’ll also find waterfront properties here, some with deeded Delaware River access and others on Duck Harbor Pond. As with any home near the water, it’s smart to review flood maps and insurance requirements for specific properties, including those near smaller streams and creeks. If you want room for animals or hobby farming, homes farther north tend to have larger lots. Prices generally range from the lower $200,000s to the upper $400,000s, but properties on substantial acreage sell from the lower $600,000s to the upper $800,000s.
There are a few practical things to know about living in Damascus. These considerations matter most for full-time living, but they’re also worth understanding if you plan to use a home seasonally. Because public utilities aren’t as widely available here:
Living near the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River is a major perk. "The river is the biggest thing for kayaking, canoeing and fishing," Becker says. There are several public boat launches where you can access the river, and on hot summer days, you’ll see locals wading into the water to cool off. In addition to the river, Damascus's outdoor attractions include:
Damascus is part of the Wayne Highlands School District. Most students go to the highly rated Damascus Area School from prekindergarten through eighth grade before heading to Honesdale High School. Both schools are small and community-focused, and families should expect a longer bus ride once students head to Honesdale High. For private school options, St. Dominic’s Academy is less than 20 miles away in Honesdale.
You’ll need to head outside Damascus for most shopping and dining. You do have a few local stops, though, like the Milanville General Store, Dutton’s Tyler Hill Diner and Eagle View Saloon. Agriculture is also an important part of the township, so shopping local can mean places like Wahoo Farm Market and Calkins Creamery.
When it’s time for a bigger run, most people make the 25-minute drive to Honesdale. That’s where you’ll find Weis Markets, Walmart and Wayne Memorial Hospital. For a change of pace, some cross the river to Callicoon in the town of Delaware or to Narrowsburg in the town of Tusten for smaller supermarkets, restaurants and theaters.
Like many rural communities, Damascus is car-dependent and lacks fixed-route public transit. Most roads are two lanes, with many dirt or gravel back roads that can be challenging in snowy winters. While the township isn’t directly off an interstate, smaller highways connect residents to Interstates 81 and 84.
Damascus is close enough to larger cities to work as a weekend getaway, but far enough that most full-time residents work from home or commute to nearby towns rather than major metro areas. Scranton is about 50 miles away and typically around an hour’s drive, while Binghamton is closer to an hour and a half. From New York City, plan on a roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive for the 120-mile trip. "We came up here as weekenders from Manhattan, and now we're here full-time. There are a lot of us up here who made the switch," Berker says.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Barry Becker
Keller Williams Hudson Valley
(845) 513-3430
140 Total Sales
10 in Damascus
$150K - $1.1M Price Range
Dawn Curreri
Eagle Valley Realty
(845) 375-3931
229 Total Sales
12 in Damascus
$79K - $635K Price Range
Joe Scarpaci
Iron Valley R E Innovate
(570) 576-9633
133 Total Sales
2 in Damascus
$229K - $395K Price Range
Robert Carmody
RE/MAX Wayne
(570) 616-8071
153 Total Sales
23 in Damascus
$18K - $525K Price Range
David Good
RE/MAX Wayne
(570) 616-1409
93 Total Sales
8 in Damascus
$25K - $400K Price Range
Lisa Perry Smith
CENTURY 21 Country Lake Homes - Lords Valley
(570) 569-0887
154 Total Sales
2 in Damascus
$288K - $349K Price Range
On average, homes in Damascus, PA sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Damascus, PA over the last 12 months is $394,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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