Amblebrook
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Coudersport, Pennsylvania
What It Is Like to Retire in Coudersport
Coudersport, Pennsylvania, is the county seat in Potter County, affectionately known as "God's Country". Coudersport lies in north central Pennsylvania, approximately 25 miles south of the New York State border. The community is surrounded by forests and State Parks with the Commonwealth owning much of the neighboring land. The area was caught up in the lumber boom from 1890 until 1910 in which every hillside was denuded. However, the lumbermen left the seeds of a diverse natural forest that flourishes today supporting wildlife and creating an aurora of fiery colors in autumn. The population of Coudersport Borough was 2,546 in 2010, with the county population just over 17,000. The town is very walkable, yet a short car ride can take you to a forest in a State Park.
Where to Retire in Coudersport and Home Prices
Trulia reports the median sale price of homes in Coudersport was about $76,500 in mid-2019. Many hunting and fishing cabins used as second homes are located a few miles outside of the town.
What Is Special about Coudersport
Coudersport was the home of the "The Untouchables" Eliot Ness at the time of his death. The town is also the backdrop of the Judy Bolton mystery series written by Margaret Sutton, who grew up in Coudersport, (but changed the name of the town to Farringdon in her books), and Coudersport celebrates her with an annual "Judy Bolton Day" each October. Although it is in an isolated area in Pennsylvania, it is close to many natural and beautiful attractions: The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is a deep gorge with waterfalls and offers hiking and rafting; Cherry Springs State Park is popular with astronomers due to it's claim as the blackest sky in the east, where sometimes over 10,000 stars can be displayed. As shale and gas production increases across northern Pennsylvania, Coudersport may see both the good (economic) and the bad (environmental) effects on the community in the near future. The two biggest employers are the town hospital and a carbon manufacturing company.
What Is Not Special about Coudersport
Coudersport is isolated. There are no shopping malls or large airports nearby. Erie is approximately 110 miles away and Pittsburgh is 180 miles. Buffalo, New York, is the closest large airport, but is about 100 miles away. The winters can be long and harsh and if you don't like the outdoors, you may get cabin fever.
Who Will Like Retirement in Coudersport
Coudersport is a paradise for those who love the outdoors and enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing and snowmobiling. All four seasons offer outdoor activity, with many outdoor clubs to keep active retirees active. Those who are looking for a small, walkable, and conservative town, and who don't mind the winter months, would enjoy it here.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Farming and logging are important to the area, with tourism and recreation helping the economy somewhat. The town's hospital, UPMC Cole is one of the biggest employers. With the natural gas pipeline going through the county, along with shale fracking, jobs are being created and workers are moving to the area.
Climate and Physical Environment
The average low January temperature is 15 degrees and the average high July temperature is 82. The rainest month is June. Snowfalls can start as early as November and appear into early April.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
For a small rural town, Coudersport holds many festivals in the town square. During the summer of 2018, the town held an Eliot Ness Fest to celebrate his career and final two years of his life in Coudersport. With a Roaring '20's theme the event drew huge crowds and will be celebrated again each July; in the spring, during the Maple Festival is popular when maple producers sell their products; The Falling Leaves Festival is an annual event held each fall when the leaves are changing color; the town has a movie theater (open four nights a week) and a historical museum. The Bark Peelers Convention is held at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum outside of Coudersport, each July; also worth a visit is a quaint ice cream parlor, "Sugar and Cream", that serves ice cream made at Penn State University and is a popular and friendly spot.
Crime
The crime rate is low, although there are reports of more activity with the influx of workers coming to the area.
Medical facilities
UPMC Cole Hospital is located in Coudersport and is one of the bigger hospitals in the region. It offers a Wellness Center where residents can purchase memberships to their staffed exercise facility.
Transportation
There are no modes of transportation close to Couderport. Bradford Regional Airport is 35 miles away and offers a few flights to Pittsburgh each day. Buffalo International Airport is the closest large airport, and is about 100 miles away. Access to Interstate 80 is about a two-hour drive, and Interstate 86 is about one-hour away.
Valuable Links
www.pagrandcanyon.com www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks www.coudersport.org
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