On the southwestern slopes of Penobscot Mountain, close to where the peak meets the inclines of Nescopeck Mountain, the aptly-named city of Mountain Top sits at an elevation of over 1,500 feet and has a population of around 11,000. “It’s on top of a mountain,” says Antonio DeRosa, an associate broker with Lewith & Freeman Real Estate. “Our town was discovered because we have a lot of natural spring water, so there’s a little historic town inside our town that was Glen Summit Springs. Trains would run right by it and stop for fresh water. People started to see what a nice area it was and settled here.”
The modern-day Mountain Top is bisected by the northern and southern sections of Mountain Boulevard, a central artery of the region. Residential streets and subdivisions branch off the thoroughfare, and locals have quick access to local restaurants, stores and chains. “It’s a small town with a really great quality of life,” DeRosa says. “People really care about their homes, the town and the way it looks. Recently, we’ve had some commercial growth to expand some businesses in the area, and there’s a lot of room for more.” With Wilkes-Barre less than 10 miles north of Mountain Top, residents can also get into the larger downtown area without having to hit the highway.
Mountain Top is small community sitting atop the Penobscot Mountain, it has panorama views of the whole valley.
Mountain Top was discovered when trains would stop for fresh water in the area, a Train car sits on the edge of town to commemorate the towns founding.
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Residential streets branching off the boulevard
Single-family homes occupy much of Mountain Top’s landscape, many centered around or close to the boulevard that runs through the city. “It’s a really sought-after residential community,” DeRosa says. “There has been a lack of housing here for the last couple of years. It’s just a very nature-forward, family town.” The median home price over the past 12 months is $323,500. However, when single-family homes are available – inventory is typically low – prices often range between $400,000 and $650,000, but some homes can sell for under $300,000. “The price range of $300,000 to $400,000 is the highly sought-after homes, so it’s kind of hard to get in that range,” DeRosa says. “The homes are more for families, but there’s also a good amount of ranch-style homes, so it’s a great place to downsize or retire as well.” Architectural designs include ranch-and Craftsman-style homes, Cape Cods and more.
The Mountain Top area’s elevation lends itself to cold winters with temperatures well below freezing. Average snowfall in January can average over 10 inches, and snowy weather often lasts from November to March.
Recent crime data is not readily available for Mountain Top or Luzerne County.
There are may styles of home including Craftsman, Ranches and more, an average home in Mountain Top goes for around $300,000.
Most of the homes in Mountain Top are situated right off of South Mountain Blvd.
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Hiking trails, state parks and mountain slopes nearby
Nescopeck State Park sprawls southward from the lower portions of Mountain Top, encompassing over 3,500 acres and almost 20 miles of trails on the mountain. The western reaches of Pinchot State Forest, which contains over 50,000 acres in total, lie near northern Mountain Top and also encircle Crystal Lake nearby. “There’s a strong recreational community,” DeRosa says. “There are parks and some lakes around for people to enjoy.” State Game Lands 119 sits east of the city and accommodates hunting, boating, wildlife observation and fishing. Wright Township Recreation Park is located within Mountain Top and offers visitors sports facilities, trails winding through the surrounding trees and a dog park. Penobscot Knob rises over 2,000 feet to the northeast of Mountain Top, and a trailhead for the D&L Black Diamond Trail sits nearby.
Hunters and outdoorsman from Mountain Top can take advantage of State Game Lands 119.
Mountain Top is a very outdoor oriented area, you can take a hike along many lakes and trails.
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Shopping and dining along Mountain Boulevard
Mountain Boulevard, also designated as Route 309, vertically bisects the city and serves as a hub of shopping, dining and more. “Everything runs through North and South Mountain Boulevard,” DeRosa says. “Everything branches off of it.” Residents can find numerous places to eat along the road’s northern half, ranging from numerous pizza stops to bars, barbecue spots and international menus like Chinese and Mexican food. A Weis Markets along the boulevard serves as the area’s primary grocery stop. More restaurants and stores can be found in Wilkes-Barre, less than 10 miles north.
Adelina's is a family owner Pizzeria with a banquet hall for rent located right on 309 in Mountain Top.
Weis is the biggest grocery store in Mountain Top, but there are many shopping options including independent grocers and pharmacies.
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Access to multiple highways
Mountain Top residents are less than 8 miles away from Interstate 81. “It’s pretty easy to get around,” DeRosa says. “We have two exits off 81, and then Interstates 80 and 476 are right outside the border of town. We’re really nicely connected to those highway systems, which makes it easy to get around.” Access to Interstate 80 is also less than 8 miles away, while on-ramps to 476 are about 11 miles east of central Mountain Top. Wilkes-Barre is 10 miles north, and Philadelphia is over 100 miles south.
Crestwood Industrial Park occupies a portion of southeast Mountain Top and encompasses over a dozen buildings operated by a variety of companies. “We do have the prominent industrial park,” DeRosa says. “There are a lot of people that work there, on and off the mountain. It’s an easy commute.” Tenants and employers of the park include PepsiCo, Mission Foods and Philips Lighting.
A two-school system for Mountain Top students
The Crestwood School District receives a B-minus from Niche and serves the city. Two elementary schools, which span kindergarten through sixth grade, serve younger learners. Crestwood Secondary Campus gets a B-minus and is the only high school in the area, encompassing grades seven through 12. Nearby private schools include the Catholic St. Jude School. Area college campuses include Luzerne County Community College and the private Wilkes University, both in Wilkes-Barre.
Luzerne County Community College is a short drive away from Mountain Top and has seven additional campuses in the area.
Crestwood High School in Mountain Top has over a dozen athletic programs for local students to take part in year round.
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Written By
Adam Cheek
Photography Contributed By
Vincent Mauriello
Video By
Adam Lapallo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Emmanuel Valerio,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Mountain Top, PA sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Mountain Top, PA over the last 12 months is $425,000, up 65% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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