Amblebrook
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
What It Is Like to Retire in Wellsboro
Wellsboro is a small town of just over 3,000 in northcentral PA . The county seat of Tioga County, Wellsboro appears to be bigger than that because of the large and charming downtown. It is a popular tourist center because of that downtown, which features antique gas lamps and beautiful stores, homes, buildings, and a very large central park. It is by far the nicest town in the area for a long ways. There are several very popular festivals during the year including the Laurel Festival in mid-June. The area is popular with retirees because it is so attractive and because the outdoors offers many possibilities. The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is in a nearby State Park and well worth a visit. The area is booming because of energy development (fracking) and that has created some conflict between local residents, tourists, and the people who are making a living in the energy boom.
Where to Retire in Wellsboro and Home Prices
The Main Street coming in from the west has a splendid stretch of restored Victorian homes. We are not aware of other developments but there could be some. The median home value in late 2021 was $191,621. Average real estate taxes would be about $2500.
What Is Special about Wellsboro
Wellsboro is the nicest town in the region. It has a very charming downtown and there is plenty to do. It is the county seat of Tioga County. The town was the home of George W. Sears, a sportswriter for Forest and Stream magazine in the 1880s and an early environmentalist. His stories, appearing under the pen name, "Nessmuk", popularized self-guided canoe camping tours of the Adirondack lakes in open, lightweight solo canoes and what is today called ultralight camping.
What Is Not Special about Wellsboro
The energy boom from the Marcellus Formation has distorted prices and produced a lot of truck traffic. There is some conflict between those who love the low-key charm of the town and those who are here to make a living. Winters are cold, and the area is a long drive from a major city.
Who Will Like Retirement in Wellsboro
People who want to live in rural Pennsylvania and enjoy the outdoors will like it here. Pennsylvania is a good retirement state from a tax standpoint.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Tourism and the energy boom drive the local economy.
Climate and Physical Environment
The average January temp is about 20 and the average July temp in the mid to high 60s. Wellsboro is in mid Pennsylvania near the NY border. Corning is the nearest big town. The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is just a few miles outside of town.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
The town celebrates the heritage of its famous writer, "Nessmuk". It is also home to several festivals including the Laurel Festival and the Endless Mountain Music Festival. As a tourist center there are a number of restaurants including the Diner and the highly rated Native Bagel restaurant.
Crime
Crime rate is very low, although there are stories of crime associated with the influx of new workers in the area.
Medical facilities
Corning (NY) has the nearest big hospital, but there is a Soldiers and Sailors hospital here.
Transportation
You pretty much have to drive to get anywhere from Wellsboro. South of town is I 80 and north is Rt 17 in NY State.
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