Outdoor adventures and suburban perks meet in Stroud
Located in East Pennsylvania, Stroud blends suburban benefits with rural seclusion. “Stroud Township is at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, so it’s a tourism area at large. But Stroud is off the mountain, so it’s more temperate,” says Xander Weidenbaum, a local Realtor and President at Redstone Run Realty. “We’re also just off the New Jersey border, so it’s easy to commute to Jersey and New York.” The Monroe County town is home to nearly 20,000 people, most of whom appreciate their proximity to both outdoor recreation and the interstate. While surrounded by nature preserves and full of scenic trails, Stroud is also bisected by Interstate 80, which connects residents to New York City, about 75 miles east. “You’re also very close to Downtown Strasburg, which has some nice historic shopping and restaurants,” Weidenbaum says. “Actually, anyone from Bartonsville on the west side all the way to East Stroudsburg would consider themselves as living in Stroudsburg.” The township consists of high-end residential neighborhoods, commercial centers and public parks, all while being near the popular mountainside destination of the Poconos.
Community parks and nearby Poconos offer diverse recreation
Stroud locals don’t need to venture far for outdoor recreation, as community parks surround the township, and the Poconos Mountains are about 15 miles west. “The Poconos has Camelback Ski Resort, Great Wolf Lodge and the Mount Airy Casino,” Weidenbaum says. “We’re also near the Jersey border, so there’s the Delaware River recreation area with lots of hiking trails and spots to kayak. It’s all within 15-20 minutes in either direction.” Closer to home, Jay Albertson Park has a playground and a pond that freezes over in the winter, offering the chance for park-goers to play ice hockey. Big Pines Park is where the town’s Little Leagues play, and Yetter Park has a public disc golf course. Hikers can access the Appalachian Trail from Stroud’s southern end. “There’s also the Levee Loop Trail, which follows along a creek and a big levee,” Weidenbaum adds. “It’s very picturesque. We have a big cycling community here in Stroud, so you’ll find a lot of biking trails throughout the town.” Golf enthusiasts can play a round at the public Glen Brook Golf Club, which offers 18 holes and membership options.
Retail along the 611 corridor and Downtown Stroudsburg events
The central region of Stroud, just off Interstate 80, is populated with retail and industry, including the Stroud Mall. The mall is home to typical department stores like JCPenney and a newly added ShopRite, and the commercial-heavy area that surrounds the mall offers both chain and local eateries. Momento is an upscale Italian restaurant and wine center, and Spice Kitchen serves classic Indian cuisine. Across the interstate, Triplets Family Restaurant is a popular, laid-back American diner that opens early for breakfast and stays open through dinner. “Along the Route 611 corridor, there’s everything, like Target and TJ Maxx,” Weidenbaum says. “It’s been built up like a residential shopping area.” Weidenbaum also mentions that residents have proximity to two major hospitals. “East Stroudsburg has the Lehigh Valley Hospital, and on the west side bordering Bartonsville, there’s St. Luke’s Hospital.”
Stroud Township residents typically head into Downtown Stroudsburg for community gatherings. “It feels like there’s an event there every weekend,” Weidenbaum says. “The Concerts in the Square is a big one every Thursday night.” Held at Courthouse Square from June through August, the free summer series allows locals to listen to live music in Stroudsburg’s quaint, historic setting.
Homes in Penn Estates, Blue Mountain Lakes and Arlington Heights
Housing in Stroud Township is generally split into subdivisions, from which residents can reap the benefits of different conveniences, from green spaces to nearby interstate access. “There are two main communities in the northern half of Stroud: Penn Estates, which is gated, and Blue Mountain Lakes,” Weidenbaum says. “We call them luxury amenity communities. You have some second homeowners that want to be near the mountains, but most of Stroud is made up of full-time residents.” Penn Estates offers contemporary-style homes and Colonial Revivals, many hidden in the woods on about a half-acre. Prices typically range from $250,000 to $650,000. East of there, Blue Mountain Lakes surrounds two small lakes and offers a clubhouse. New Traditional homes can sit on about an acre and cost from $375,000 to $500,000. On the south side of town, the Arlington Heights area is situated around Interstate 80 and the town’s major retail corridor. Ranch-styles and Colonial Revivals generally sit on smaller lot sizes and range in price from $350,000 to $550,000.
Stroudsburg public schools and the local East Stroudsburg University
The Stroudsburg Area School District, which receives a B-plus rating from Niche, serves students living in Stroud. Students can attend one of the four elementary schools before advancing to Stroudsburg Middle School, which holds a B, for fifth through seventh grade. Learners can then attend Stroudsburg Junior High School, which has a B-minus rating, for eighth and ninth grade. Students can finish their public schooling at Stroudsburg High School, which receives a B-plus.
High school graduates who want to attend college close to home can continue their studies at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, which is just east of Stroud in East Stroudsburg. The school serves nearly 5,000 undergraduates and 750 graduates each year and is known for its strong business-related programs.
Interstate 80 and the Pocono Pony serve Stroud Township
The main thoroughfares that serve Stroud are Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 209, both of which run east-west through town. “Stroud is also just off Route 33, which is another good highway for commuting,” Weidenbaum adds. The Monroe County Transit Authority, nicknamed the Pocono Pony, offers several bus routes throughout the community. For further destinations, residents can fly out of Lehigh Valley International Airport, located about 40 miles south in Allentown, or Philadelphia International Airport, about 70 miles farther south of there.
According to data submitted to the FBI, Stroud’s crime rate is on par with the state average. This rate is slightly below the national average.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
