Blakeslee, PA

Blakeslee is the kind of place people discover on a ski trip and end up buying a house in. Tucked into the heart of the Pocono Mountains in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, it sits at the intersection of Routes 940 and 115 — which sounds modest until you realize that puts it 15 minutes from most of the major ski resorts in the region and about 90 minutes from midtown Manhattan on a good run up I-80.

The housing stock here is a mix of lakefront cottages, chalet-style homes, log cabins, and newer construction within planned communities like Buck Hill Falls, Pocono Farms, and the areas surrounding Blakeslee Lake. Buyers tend to fall into two groups: those looking for a vacation property to use on weekends and rent during peak seasons, and those who have decided the Poconos lifestyle is worth making permanent. The relative affordability compared to New Jersey lake communities makes Blakeslee a legitimate option for both.

Year-round activity is the real draw. Winter means skiing at Jack Frost and Big Boulder, both just a few miles away. Spring through fall brings hiking on the Appalachian Trail, kayaking and fishing on local lakes, and mountain biking throughout the region. The Pocono Premium Outlets in Tannersville are close enough for a casual afternoon, and the overall pace is slow enough to feel like a genuine departure from the metro area without being truly remote.

For buyers considering a Pocono purchase, Blakeslee offers one of the best combinations of access, amenity, and value in the region. It does not have the congestion of the more touristed strips along Route 611, and the community character has stayed residential and unpretentious even as the broader Poconos market has attracted significant outside attention.

Blakeslee sits at the junction of Routes 940 and 115, giving quick access to I-80 a few miles to the south. I-80 east connects directly to I-78, the Garden State Parkway, and the broader New York metro highway network. Under light traffic conditions, the drive to the George Washington Bridge runs approximately 85 to 95 minutes. Weekend and holiday traffic on I-80 can push that to two hours or more in peak seasons.

There is no direct NJ Transit or SEPTA rail service to Blakeslee. Trans-Bridge Lines operates bus service from select Pocono area stops to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, with stops accessible within a short drive. This option works well for occasional trips but is not ideal for daily commuters. Blakeslee is best suited for remote workers, retirees, or those commuting only a few days per week.