Rural Ross Township has country homes and parklands in Luzerne County
Ross Township's rugged backcountry landscapes are ideal for residents seeking spacious homesteads and distance from neighbors. It has been a rural, tree-topped community since its beginning as a 19th-century farming town. Locals can explore thousands of acres of vast parklands for hiking, hunting or wildlife watching around town. It's also beneficial for Wyoming Valley commuters, as the town is roughly 45 minutes from Wilkes-Barre or Scranton by car.
Mountainous homesteads in Sweet Valley and Bloomingdale
The median sale price for a home in Ross Township is $260,000, which runs slightly higher than the median sale price in Luzerne County. Ross Township is comprised of two smaller communities, Sweet Valley and Bloomingdale. Forests and farmland make up the southern half of town around Sweet Valley, while craggy mountainsides and steep hills define the northern half. Sweet Valley is the most developed area, with most of the town's small businesses and the post office. Bloomingdale is in the southwest corner and is defined by winding country roads, tree-tucked homes and Bloomingdale Bible Church. Styles include farmhouses and rustic cottages, often featuring spacious multi-acre lots. Some buyers search in Ross for lakefront homes and rural retreats, though there is also a solid community of primary homeowners in town.
Hunting at State Game Lands 206, and Ricketts Glen State Park to hike
Within town is State Game Lands 206, a state-protected preserve spanning over 1,500 acres. It is a popular place for hunting white-tailed deer, squirrels and wild turkeys, and there is an outdoor rifle range. West of Ross is Ricketts Glen State Park, with the Falls Trails System for folks to explore picturesque free-flowing waterfalls. Guests have a wide variety of activities to try at Ricketts Glen, from swimming, boating or fishing at Lake Jean, to hunting, horseback riding and camping.
Local businesses and Wilkes-Barre downtown diners
Though the town is commercially sparse, Main Road hosts several small businesses, including Payton's Place, serving bacon and eggs for breakfast or wings and chili for lunch. Mountain Fresh Supermarket is along Pennsylvania Route 118 for nearby groceries. Folks can also head to Main Street in Wilkes-Barre for diners and shops, like Avocado's Restaurant + Pizzeria, which offers hot pies and Cuban sandwiches.
Lake-Lehman School District extracurricular activities
Lake-Lehman School District serves Ross Township. Students can attend Ross Elementary School and Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School, which both get B-minus ratings from Niche. Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High hosts the Mission Academy, where incoming students can join as "squires" and rise in different ranks of knighthood through academic success, mentorship and community service projects.
Less than an hour from Wilkes-Barre
Due to Ross Township's rural nature, locals are car dependent. Commuters can take Route 118 just 20 miles east to Wilkes-Barre, while Scranton is 37 miles east. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is a 28-mile drive from home and offers domestic flights.
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
