Convenience and calm in Montoursville
The borough of Montoursville sits on the banks of the West Branch Susquehanna River, providing a small-town atmosphere to just under 5,000 residents. “It’s the typical old American hometown with a strong sense of community spirit,” says Sarah Morgan, a clerk with the borough who has worked in the area for three years. “It’s also centrally located to shopping in Williamsport and other attractions in Hughesville and Muncy.” With an array of commercial development in the borough, along with direct connection to Interstate 180, accessibility is a significant draw. However, the community maintains a quiet, residential feel.
Higher housing prices and bigger lots than in Williamsport
Buyers will primarily find single-family ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and colonials in suburban neighborhoods. New Traditional homes have also come onto the market in previous decades. Sidewalks line most streets, and lots often feature modest lawns, driveways and garages. On the borough's outskirts, properties are larger and have a more rural, secluded feel. The median sales price hovers at about $290,000, which is higher than the median in Williamsport, which falls around $200,000. The median lot size in Montoursville is also nearly 10,000 square feet larger than in Williamsport.
Outdoor activities on creeks, rivers and land
Indian Park is the central recreation space in Montoursville, with its open green fields, picnic pavilions and a pond often populated with ducks. The park’s amenities include a disc golf course, tennis courts and baseball diamonds. It’s also the grounds for the Kiwanis Fall Festival, an annual celebration to kick off the season with live music, games and vendors. Just across town, the Mill Street Recreation Area provides access to Loyalsock Creek and fields for baseball and soccer. Locals can kayak along the Susquehanna River and fish for trout. Golfers can get a membership at the private Williamsport Country Club, 2 miles away, and State Game Lands are within 20 miles for hunting.
Independently owned restaurants and major retailers
Despite its small size, the borough has plenty of commercial development. “You’ve got Broad Street, which is an old-school downtown area, and then Loyalsock Avenue has the big-box options,” Morgan says. Old brick buildings house shops and restaurants on Broad, including Johnson’s Café, which has served seafood and meat dishes since 1963. Mel’s Deli & Café features a welcoming exterior, with outdoor seating shaded by a striped awning during the warmer months. Shopping plazas on Loyalsock Avenue provide a Walmart, Weis Markets and Lowe’s without leaving town.
Education through the Montoursville Area School District
Children may attend Lyter Elementary, earning a B-plus rating from Niche, or B-rated Loyalsock Valley Elementary. Students head to C.E. McCall Middle, rated B-plus, and B-rated Montoursville Area Senior High. Kids in the district can also attend the Warrior Academy, an online option for kindergarten through 12th grade. Private education is available 4 miles away at Williamsport Christian School for prekindergarten through 12th grade.
One main interstate and 6-mile proximity to a hospital
Interstate 180 skirts the northern border, leading to Williamsport, 5 miles west, and Muncy, 10 miles east. River Valley Transit Authority buses stop along Broad Street. Daily flights to Washington-Dulles International Airport take off from Williamsport Regional Airport. Residents are 6 miles from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Williamsport.
