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Community Profiles
October 14, 2022
Welcome to The Greater Mountain Top Area
Jonathan Davies
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Get to know NEPA! From its quiet, rural villages to its bustling small cities to its historic towns, our little corner of Pennsylvania offers something for everyone — whether it’s all about work, play or just having that place to call home. Follow along as we take a closer look at all of NEPA’s convenient, safe, affordable and family-friendly places to live.

A Quiet, Suburban Retreat Between NEPA’s Largest Cities

The Greater Mountain Top Area serves as one of NEPA’s most recognized suburban enclaves. The relatively small community sits buffered by Wilkes-Barre to the north and Hazleton to the south. Through its proximity to both populous cities, residents enjoy convenient access to hundreds of amenities, public transportation, healthcare and so much more. Along with convenience, Mountain Top’s handful of towns, boroughs and townships also deliver on quiet, comfort and safety.

Upon its founding In the late 18th century, the greater Mountain Top Area earned notoriety as one of Northeastern PA’s important lumber producers. The area also saw marked expansion during the railroad and anthracite boom of the 19th century. Even today, Mountain Top serves as a fundamental link in the economic transportation corridor between Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and points north within the Wyoming Valley, New York and New Jersey.

Living in the Greater Mountain Top Area

 

A suburban sanctuary only minutes from the action.

The Greater Mountain Top Area offers plenty of options to call home. Many of the community’s towns and boroughs feature quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods just off the main thoroughfare. From all points within the Greater Mountain Top Area, residents are only minutes from many of the region’s major highways.

Convenience is key in the Greater Mountain Top Area. PA Route 309, which runs directly through the community provides an easily accessible assortment of shops, restaurants and amenities. The main road also connects directly to Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton. And for added convenience, the Hazleton Public Transit system runs regular bus routes to Wilkes-Barre through the Greater Mountain Top Area.

 

Mountain Top Hose Company No. 1, Mountain Top, PA

 

The heart of the Greater Mountain Top Area resides in its secure, family-friendly neighborhoods. Local and state police agencies prioritize community safety. A mix of professional and volunteer fire and ambulance companies ensure round the clock protection. Geisinger Health System and Commonwealth Health operate outpatient facilities throughout the community.

The Crestwood Area School District serves the Greater Mountain Top Area via 3 top-rated public schools – Crestwood Area High School, Rice Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School. St. Jude’s Catholic School also offers private, parochial, K-8 education.

 

Crestwood Area High School — Home of the Comets

 

The Greater Mountain Top Area also enjoys a relatively close proximity to all of NEPA’s colleges and universities. Local students make easy work of commutes to nearby King’s College, Wilkes University, Misericordia University and Luzerne County Community College to name a few.

There are hundreds of reasons the Greater Mountain Top Area ranks among NEPA’s favorite places to live. From quiet streets and close proximity to NEPA’s largest cities to easy highway access and some truly awesome local restaurants, it’s an ideal place to plant roots. And you can do just that at a cost of living well below the national average.

Out & About in the Greater Mountain Top Area

Pinchot State Forest Crystal Lake Tract

 

Outdoor adventures await!

NEPA’s great outdoors are all around you in the Greater Mountain Top Area. From every small town or borough, you’ll enjoy easy access to local parks, playgrounds and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Nescopeck State Park borders the southern edge of the community. The 3,550-acre park offers miles of hiking trails, fishing on Lake Frances and Nescopeck Creek, picnic areas and so much more. Nearby Pinchot State Forest allows access to the Black Diamond Trailhead, a popular local trail for easy hiking and biking. And little ones can’t get enough of the state-of-the-art playground at the Wright Township Recreation Park.

 

Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club, Mountain Top, PA

 

Regardless of the season, there’s always something to do in the Greater Mountain Top Area. In the winter months, many locals flock to nearby Jack Frost Ski Resort. And die-hard hockey fans head down the line to catch their beloved Penguins on the ice in Wilkes-Barre. Come spring, the greens at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club are loaded winter-weary golfers.

Summertime in the Greater Mountain Top Area is all about hitting the farmers market and the biggest party of the year – the annual St. Jude Parish Picnic. And if you’re not in love with this place by now, stop by in the fall for a brisk, colorful walk along the Big Wapwallopen Creek Trail.

A Regional Economic Leader

Crestwood Industrial Park, Wright Township, PA

 

A bustling industrial center nestled in the green mountains of NEPA.

Along with all of the benefits of a peaceful, suburban oasis, The Greater Mountain Top Area also rests within the crucial I-80/I-81 transportation corridor. And, you might not know it, but tucked away, within the trees of Wrigth Twp., you’ll find the Crestwood Industrial Park. The modern business park, one of the region’s largest, is home to major companies like Mission Foods, Pepsico, Cardinal Glass and Tempur Sealy to name a few. The park currently employs over 3,000 local workers.