Living in Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, PA

In short: Living in Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg means being close to everything. The two boroughs sit side by side in Monroe County, with walkable streets, shops and restaurants on Main Street, parks, and East Stroudsburg University. Hiking trails, lakes and the Delaware Water Gap are a few minutes away, New Jersey is about 10 minutes east on I-80, and New York City is about 1.5 to 2 hours by car.

Where Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg are

Stroudsburg is the county seat of Monroe County, and East Stroudsburg is right next to it. Both are along I-80, about 5 miles from the New Jersey line at the Delaware Water Gap.

Market numbers

Single-family homes, townhouses and condos sold in the boroughs of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, October 2025 to September 2026. Source: Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS® (PMAR) MLS, pulled October 2026.

Homes and communities

• Historic and Victorian homes on the boroughs' tree-lined streets
• Single-family homes in Stroud, Hamilton, Smithfield and Middle Smithfield townships
• Condominiums and townhomes
• Larger homes and lots on the edges of town

Penn Estates

Penn Estates is a large gated community a few minutes from Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, and close to Tannersville and Bartonsville, where you find the stores, the outlets and the resorts. It is a good fit for buyers who want amenities and want to stay close to New York and New Jersey. It has central water and sewer, and it allows short-term rentals: several homes there bring in strong income as vacation rentals, so both buyers and investors look for homes in Penn Estates.

Most of Penn Estates is in Stroud Township, which makes an exception to allow short-term rentals there. A small part is in Pocono Township, which does not allow them in residential areas, so check which township the home is in before you plan on renting it.

Ryth's take

Some homes near Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg have public water and sewer, which is very convenient if you are not familiar with a well and septic system. It is definitely a plus. Taxes also vary a lot from one area to the next, so I'd check the taxes first.

Getting around

• I-80 runs along the edge of both boroughs, with exits for each.
• US 209 and Route 611 connect the townships around them, and Route 33 starts at I-80 just west of town.
• New York City is about 75 miles away, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car. Allentown is about 50 minutes south and Scranton about 45 minutes north.
• Commuter buses to New York City run from the area. Ask Ryth about current schedules.

What to check before you buy

• Water and sewer. Homes in the boroughs, and in some communities around them, have public water and sewer. Many homes a few miles out use a private well and a septic system, which need their own inspections.
• The annual tax bill. Taxes change a lot between the boroughs and the townships around them, so look at the actual bill early, before you settle on a price.
• The municipality and school district. A Stroudsburg or East Stroudsburg mailing address can be in a neighboring township. The boroughs are served by the Stroudsburg Area and East Stroudsburg Area school districts.
• The condition of the house: a full home inspection, plus a radon test, which is standard in Pennsylvania. Homes built before 1978 come with a lead-based paint disclosure.
• Flood zones near Brodhead Creek and McMichael Creek, and whether flood insurance is required.
• Short-term rental rules, if you plan to rent. Neither borough allows short-term rentals in its residential districts. See Investing in a Pocono vacation rental.

Sources

• Borough of Stroudsburg: short-term rental zoning amendment (PDF)
• Borough of East Stroudsburg: short-term rentals ordinance 1379 (PDF)
• Stroud Township: short-term rental application, guide and ordinances (PDF)
• Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission: Delaware Water Gap (I-80) toll bridge

What clients say

I have never met someone so willing to go the extra mile for his clients. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Ryth — thanks to his dedication, guidance, and hard work, I was able to close on my dream home. Ryth is young, but he is extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and always willing to help.

Questions

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