Connect with a Building Expert

  • By submitting your information you agree to our privacy policy.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Why So Many People Are Moving from New York and Philadelphia to the Poconos

Waterfalls_Bushkill_Falls_30_PoconoMtns_19b8c5df-4cc8-43c7-aa12-f569e507e356
Discover why more New Yorkers and Philadelphians are relocating to the Poconos for space, savings, and a better quality of life.

Major cities like New York and Philadelphia offer culture, dining, and excitement—but more and more people are choosing to leave them behind in favor of the Pocono Mountains. Some are purchasing vacation homes, others are relocating permanently to retire or enjoy a more peaceful, spacious way of life. Here’s why the Poconos are becoming the top choice for city dwellers looking for something better.

More Space, Less Stress

City life often means tight quarters, high costs, and constant noise. In contrast, the Poconos offer room to breathe—both inside and outside the home. With larger lots, modern floor plans, and quiet surroundings, families enjoy more privacy and space to grow. Instead of looking into your neighbor’s window, you’re surrounded by trees, mountains, and lakes.

Remote Work and Reduced Commutes

Remote work has given many professionals the freedom to live anywhere. The Poconos provide a scenic, affordable alternative to daily traffic and long commutes. With lower gas costs and no crowded subways, your workday starts in a quiet home office, not in a traffic jam.

Natural Living with Easy City Access

The Poconos span thousands of square miles of protected parks, lakes, rivers, and forests. Residents can hike, ski, fish, or relax by the water—all while still being a short drive from New York City or Philadelphia. Upcoming rail projects may soon make that trip even easier.

Affordability and Value

From land to new homes, the cost of living in the Poconos is dramatically lower than in the city. Taxes are lower, homes are more affordable, and many properties offer options to expand in the future. It’s a place where your investment stretches further—whether you’re building your forever home or a vacation property.

A Better Quality of Life

The pace is slower in the Poconos—and that’s exactly what many people are looking for. There’s less noise, less crowding, and more time to enjoy family and the outdoors. And because the region has long been a vacation destination, it offers the best of both worlds: natural beauty and year-round recreation, without the city stress.

Thinking about making the move? At RGB Custom Builders, we help families from New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia design and build homes that match their lifestyle—and take full advantage of everything the Poconos has to offer.

Testimonials

After searching for more than a year for a company willing to even bid on my custom home design, I came across RGB and almost immediately felt I had found my builder. I had been turned down by numerous large firms because my design was either too difficult or too complicated, but Bob Brown never expressed even the slightest doubt that they could do the job. Throughout the process of refining the design and quoting the job, I was struck by their attention to detail, their focus on the highest quality standards, and most importantly, a level of forthright honesty I never could have believed possible. Even through the pandemic they managed to make consistent progress on the house, and were very communicative. Their employees and contractors were all very friendly, efficient and quality focused, and the spectacular results speak for themselves. “A builder to believe in”? Almost right. It should be “THE builder to believe in”!

— Glenn Geisler