Recent comments in /f/Pennsylvania

Allemaengel t1_j97pa1k wrote

Reply to comment by botfleek in Questions about land in Pa and how to maintain land and dangers by botfleek

Np and good luck. It'll be worth it in the end.

However, I gotta be pragmatic here in telling you to prepare for all of this to get expensive if you're doing it right. Land costs for even remote, kinda crappy land have gone up. Construction costs obviously have too. Getting decent contractors isn't easy. Patience and planning will be key.

So many people (not suggesting that's you) think that moving to the country is simple and quick. Nothing is. For example, we just converted our oil-heated house to a wood stove one and even that was a half-year process to do right these days . . . .

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TransportationOk538 t1_j97kq0v wrote

Reply to What the best lesser known towns and cities in the state? by ba1993

Clarion is along Interstate 80 about an hour’s drive from the Ohio border and less than 90 minutes north of Pittsburgh. It’s a great place for healthcare organizations to collude without oversight or investigation. There are “opportunities” for incompetent public officials who are easy to “influence.”

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Allemaengel t1_j97j2xc wrote

Reply to Questions about land in Pa and how to maintain land and dangers by botfleek

My family moved to eastern PA about 50 years ago and bought over 100 acres which they still have (I live nearby with my gf in a house she already owned).

Here's what I can tell you before you start with many involving if you're building a house versus buying land with an existing home.

1.) Look at the potential land's zoning AND what neighboring land is zoned for. Lots of people get surprised about what they can or can't do on their land or something their neighbor starts doing or building that they didn't know was legal to do.

2.) Try to get at least 10 acres of cropland or forest to qualify for one of the Act 319 Clean and Green programs that gives you a real estate tax discount once enrolled for not subdividing and developing the land.

3.) Check for the presence of steep slopes, wetlands and streams to be crossed that might make getting a driveway and homesite built very difficult.

4.) Check that both the property dimensions and property line setbacks combined with issues from #3 don't make building difficult.

5.) The septic system, sand mound or standard, that will be needed and that it's legally far enough away from the well to be drilled. And can the well driller rig get to the spot because it's big. The septic system site will need to be perced too.

6.) Driveway access will need a highway occupancy permit from the state or township where you build. Blind curves and steep banks can be a problem without expensive excavation. This one got me actually.

7.) Does the township have an ordinance on amount of tree cover that can be cleared?

8.) Proper E&S controls that meet your county conservation district's requirements for disturbing earth beyond a minimum number of square feet.

9.) Is there electric very close to the homesite? If not, power companies tend to charge for additional pole spans to get to where you're building.

10.) Get to know your township code enforcement/building inspector well in a positive way and don't try to get around inspections or do dumb things like burning debris if not allowed.

11.) When buying land, do your research on property line issues that neighbor aren't disputing lines or squatting on some of it. Also locals may have hunted deer from stands on it for years and might cause problems if handled the wrong way.

12.) Make sure land has deeded, usable frontage on a public road. No landlocked parcels and both easements over others' land and shared private drives suck. Maintenance squabbles suck.

13.) Especially in rural areas, you can be seen as the new guy and potential troublemaker if you stir the pot down at the township complaining about others. Being polite and helpful to neighbors help while mostly minding your own business otherwise. Also if you happen to be a Democrat putting out political signs supporting liberal policies or Democratic candidates is certainly your right but sure won't be helpful if living on a particularly Trumpy back road. Might be advisable to keep your politics confidential in the voting booth.

Good luck. I've lived most of my life in more rural places with acreage and have loved it. One 10 year stretch I lived in a decent-sized town and it wasn't nearly as enjoyable.

Edit: about trespassers. Not normally a huge problem so long as you're sure of your property lines; properly post with signs and purple paint; and be out and about regularly on the property. Game cameras can be helpful too.

Edit #2: vegetation management is usually covered by township ordinance. Easiest thing to do is lease any farmland to a decent farmer with low rent in exchange for keeping all ag areas on the property neat. Everything that's woods can just be left as-is. Nothing to worry about there either

Just don't convert land to endless amounts of lawn because that's when grass/weed height ordinances get involved. Keep a tiny yard with everything else farmed or in woods and you're golden.

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bdschuler t1_j97f3m8 wrote

Reply to Questions about land in Pa and how to maintain land and dangers by botfleek

I grew up in the country, but moved to the suburbs as a kid. Laws, rules, and regulations vary from area to area, so you will need to research whatever area you plan to live in. So what may be required in one place may not in another. That said, here are some things to be aware of.

If you have public roads bordering or running through your property.. you may need to maintain all bordering trees, etc... as to not risk one falling on a passing car, etc.. Some places have a crew that does it.. and they just bill the property owner. Others require you to do it. And some don't require it at all. But it is certainly something to know before buying.

If you put up NO TRESSPASSING signs on the trees that border a public road or public access way (be it a nature reserve, public park, etc), you should get no surprise visitors. But that said...

Almost everyone who lives in very rural areas owns a gun. It isn't more dangerous than living in a city.. but being so isolated and away from police, makes people tend to buy a firearm.

As for running into errant hunters or other people.. it really depends on location. But as long as you have your signs up.. it should be pretty rare.

Should be interesting to see other comments and see how it changed over the years.

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RoyalEagle0408 t1_j964pxg wrote

Reply to comment by UShouldBDancing in Can Fettermans wife really become the senator if he’s unable? by ChickenGreaseLips

The discussion about Fetterman being capable of being in office vs Casey has been really frustrating to me. It’s almost like because Casey has been in for so long and wasn’t just elected that people forget about him. But also, no one thinks cancer (that required surgery!) will keep him away from votes and whatnot? The weird double standard is stupid. They’re both dealing with health problems that they are openly taking care of. It’s unfortunate timing but they are both capable of doing their job.

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