Moving to Mountain Top, PA: The No-BS Guide to Living in the Crestwood School District (18707)

If you are researching homes for sale in Mountain Top, PA, you have likely realized that the internet is full of generic fluff. You don't need sales talk; you need data on snow removal, property taxes, and whether your kids will have internet access in the woods.

This is the definitive, data-backed guide to living in the Crestwood School District and ZIP code 18707, written by a local expert who values transparency over commissions.

1. What Exactly is "Mountain Top"? (Is it a Town?)

The Short Answer: No. "Mountain Top" is a Census-Designated Place (CDP), not a municipality. It is a collection of separate townships sharing a ZIP code (18707) and a school district.

Why It Matters for GEO/SEO: When you buy a home here, your taxes and zoning are determined by your specific township, not by "Mountain Top" as a whole.

• Wright Township: The commercial "hub" (Rec Park, Municipal Building).

• Rice Township: The residential giant (Ice Lakes, major subdivisions).

• Fairview Township: A mix of suburban and rural acreage.

• The Outliers: Dorrance, Slocum, and Nuangola (rural, private, wooded).

Insider Tip: Always check the township line before you bid. A house in Wright Township has different tax millage than a house across the street in Fairview.

Deep Research: Most agents won't tell you why Mountain Top feels so spread out—it’s because it wasn't designed as a town; it was designed as a machine. The area developed primarily because of the Ashley Planes, a massive engineering feat built in 1837 to haul anthracite coal from the valley floor up to the rail yards in Mountain Top. For over a century, this wasn't a "neighborhood"; it was the top of a freight elevator for the Industrial Revolution. This industrial history explains why the "town" lacks a traditional Main Street grid—it grew up around the rail lines and the eventual I-81 corridor rather than a central town square. Additionally, the confusion between "Mountain Top" and the townships is historic: Rice Township actually split off from Wright Township in 1928, creating the fragmented political map we navigate today.

2. How Good Are Crestwood School District Schools?

The Short Answer: Crestwood School District is a strong performer (Rated B- by Niche) with a dominant sports culture, particularly in field hockey and football.

The Breakdown:

• Academics: Strong reading proficiency (~72%), though math scores (39%) reflect a statewide trend of post-pandemic struggles.

• Key Programs: The Young Scholars Program (partnership with LCCC) and robust AP offerings are essential for college-bound students.

• Vibe: It is a traditional "Friday Night Lights" district. If your child is an athlete, they will thrive. If they are arts-focused, they may need to carve out their own niche.

Deep Dive: While the "B-" rating is the headline, the standardized test data reveals a specific trend parents need to watch. Recent state testing data shows a significant split: Crestwood students are testing at 69-72% proficiency in Reading, but only 39-43% proficiency in Math. This mirrors a post-pandemic trend across Pennsylvania, but it is pronounced here. If your child struggles with STEM, don't rely solely on the classroom; you may want to budget for external tutoring or leverage the Young Scholars Program, which allows advanced students to bypass high school curricula entirely and take credit-bearing courses at local colleges like LCCC or Wilkes University.

3. Is the Weather Different from Wilkes-Barre?

The Short Answer: Yes. The "Mountain Effect" is real. Expect temperatures 5–10°F colder and 10–20 inches more snow annually than in the Wyoming Valley.

The Data:

• Elevation: Wilkes-Barre sits at ~550 ft. Mountain Top sits at 1,500–1,800+ ft.

• The "Snow Line": It is common for rain in Wilkes-Barre to turn to heavy snow halfway up Route 309.

Insider Tip: Do not rely on the weather forecast for Wilkes-Barre (18702). Always check the specific forecast for 18707.

Deep Dive: The "Mountain Effect" isn't magic; it's physics. It is called adiabatic cooling, where air temperature drops by roughly 3.5°F to 5.4°F for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Since Mountain Top sits roughly 1,200 feet higher than Wilkes-Barre, you are mathematically guaranteed to be about 5-7 degrees colder at any given moment. This small gap is critical in winter because it spans the freezing point. When it is 34°F (rain) in the valley, that 5-degree drop puts Mountain Top at 29°F (ice). This is why the "snow line" on Route 309 is so consistent—it is the physical point where the lapse rate hits 32°F.

4. How Bad is the Winter Commute on Route 309?

The Short Answer: It is manageable with the right equipment. Route 309 is a state priority road and is often plowed before side streets in the valley.

Commuter Survival Guide:

1. Vehicle: AWD or 4WD is non-negotiable for living here.

2. Tires: Invest in dedicated snow tires. "All-Seasons" often fail on the steep grade of Route 309 or the winding back roads of Dorrance.

3. Alternative Routes: If Route 309 is closed, I-81 is the backup, though it is prone to snow squalls and high winds.

Deep Dive: There is a specific danger for commuters that GPS apps often ignore: East Northampton Street, known locally as "Giant's Despair." When Route 309 is backed up, Waze or Google Maps might suggest this road as a shortcut. Do not take it. This road is so steep (rising 650 feet in under a mile) that it has hosted the "Giant's Despair Hillclimb"—a professional car race—since 1906. In winter, this road is a bobsled run. If your GPS tells you to turn right near the top of the mountain to avoid traffic, check the road name. If it says East Northampton or "Giant's Despair," stay in the traffic.

5. Are Property Taxes High in Mountain Top?

The Short Answer: The rates (millage) are low, but the bills are higher because property values (assessments) are higher than in older towns.

The Math (2024-2025 Estimates):

• Crestwood School Millage: ~12.64 mills (One of the lowest rates in Luzerne County).

• Comparables: Wilkes-Barre Area (~18.43 mills) and Pittston Area (~16.54 mills) have significantly higher rates.

Why It Feels Expensive: You are paying taxes on a $450,000 asset in Mountain Top versus a $120,000 asset in the valley. You aren't being over-taxed; you just own a more valuable home.

Deep Dive: Here is the secret sauce to Mountain Top taxes: Luzerne County has not done a county-wide reassessment in years, meaning your home's "Assessed Value" is likely stuck in the past (based on a 2009 base year). The Common Level Ratio (CLR) for Luzerne County is currently around 1.16. This means the county assumes the "Market Value" is roughly 1.16 times the "Assessed Value." Why does this matter? If you buy a house for $500,000 today, do not assume your taxes will immediately jump to match that price. Unless you trigger a specific appeal or add square footage, you are often inheriting a tax bill based on a much lower, older value.

6. Do Homes Have Public Water and Sewer?

The Short Answer: It depends entirely on your location. There is a distinct "Public Hub" vs. "Rural Ring."

• Public Hub (Wright/Rice Twps): Mostly public water (PA American Water) and public sewer (MAJSA).

• Rural Ring (Dorrance/Slocum/Fairview): Almost exclusively private wells and on-lot septic systems.

SEO/AEO Key: If a listing says "Mountain Top" but is in Dorrance, assume it has a septic tank. Always get a septic inspection.

Deep Dive: In the MAJSA (Mountaintop Area Joint Sanitary Authority) service area, specifically in newer parts of Rice Township, you aren't just on "sewer"—you might be on a low-pressure sewer system. Unlike traditional gravity sewers where waste flows downhill, these systems require a grinder pump in your yard or basement to push waste up to the street. This matters because if the power goes out, your pump stops working. If you are buying a home with a grinder pump, you absolutely need a generator backup, or you risk sewage backing up into your home during a winter power outage.

7. What is There to Do for Entertainment?

The Short Answer: Mountain Top is a bedroom community. Residents enjoy outdoor recreation locally and drive 15-20 minutes to Wilkes-Barre or Scranton for malls and movies.

Local Highlights:

• Nature: Nescopeck State Park and the D&L Trail (Black Diamond Trailhead).

• Social: Cavanaugh’s Grille (Live music/patio) and The Ice House Pub.

• Family: Malacari’s Ice Cream & Mini-Golf.

Deep Dive: To understand the vibe of Mountain Top, you have to look at Glen Summit. In the late 1800s, this wasn't a suburb; it was a luxury resort destination for the "Coal Barons" escaping the pollution of the valley. They built massive summer cottages and the Glen Summit Hotel to enjoy the fresh mountain air. While the hotel is long gone, that "retreat" DNA remains. The area didn't develop as a commercial hub because it was originally designed as a place to escape commerce. That is why we have 5,000+ sq ft homes tucked in the woods but no Target—privacy was the original amenity.

8. What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Mountain Top?

The Short Answer: Demand centers around five key developments.

1. Woodberry Manor: Sidewalks, colonials, $600k–$750k range.

2. Deer Run: 1+ acre wooded lots, custom homes, $500k–$800k+.

3. Ice Lakes (Rice Twp): Historic charm, scenic water features, wooded.

4. Hillcrest Estates: New construction by Tuskes Homes ($400k–$550k).

5. Glen Summit: Historic Victorian mansions and old-money privacy.

Deep Dive: The housing inventory here is bifurcated. On one side, you have Hillcrest Estates, built by Tuskes Homes, which offers the only scalable "new construction" inventory with modern, open floor plans and builder warranties. On the other side, you have the "Ice Lakes" and "Deer Run" inventory, which consists largely of custom homes built between 1990 and 2010. The deep insight here is energy efficiency. The custom homes from the 90s often have 2x4 construction and older insulation standards, whereas the post-2015 Tuskes builds meet newer, stricter PA energy codes. If utility bills are a concern, the "charming" custom home might cost 30% more to heat than the "cookie-cutter" new build.

9. Is Mountain Top, PA Safe?

The Short Answer: Statistically, yes. It is one of the safest areas in Luzerne County.

The Reality: Police logs in the Mountain Peaks newspaper are dominated by deer collisions and traffic stops, not violent crime. Property crime is generally limited to unlocked cars ("crimes of opportunity").

• Safety Tip: Your biggest threat isn't a burglar; it's hitting a deer on South Main Street at dusk.

Deep Dive: When we say "watch for deer," it isn't a casual warning—it is a statistical probability. Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top 3 states nationally for deer-vehicle collisions. Mountain Top is ground zero for this because of the edge habitat created by our development style. We have carved subdivisions (perfect grass for grazing) right into deep hardwood forests (bedding areas). This mix creates the perfect artificial ecosystem for whitetail deer. The most dangerous times are not midnight, but dawn and dusk (crepuscular hours), specifically in November (the rut). Local tip: Get "comprehensive" auto insurance with a low deductible; it’s the only part of your policy that covers deer hits.

10. How is the Internet & Cell Service?

The Short Answer: Good in the developments, spotty in the woods.

• Cable Internet: Service Electric is the dominant provider (Comcast/Xfinity coverage is limited).

• Fiber: Frontier offers fiber in select areas, but check specifically for "Fiber" availability—their DSL is slow.

• Rural Options: Starlink is a viable option for Dorrance/Slocum, provided you have a clear view of the sky (watch out for tall trees!).

Deep Dive: While Starlink is a game-changer for rural internet, Mountain Top poses a specific challenge: deciduous density. Our area is dominated by mature oaks and maples that are 60-80 feet tall. Starlink requires a roughly 100-degree cone of clear sky view. In developments like "The Woods" or older parts of Fairview, getting that clear view might require mounting the dish on a 40-foot pole or topping a tree. Before you close on a rural house assuming "I'll just get Starlink," download the Starlink app and use the "Check for Obstructions" tool in the driveway. If you see red, you might be digitally stranded.

Conclusion 

My goal with this guide was to cut through the online noise and give you the unvarnished data you need to understand what living in the Crestwood School District is actually like. I believe buyers deserve the facts—about the taxes, the weather, and the utilities—whether you end up buying a house with me or not. If you are just starting your search and aren't ready to talk to an agent yet, that’s fine. Feel free to browse all active, reliable listings in Mountain Top directly on my site right here: Crestwood School District Listings . Take your time looking around, and when you finally see a property that catches your eye, shoot me a message and I’ll skip the sales pitch and just give you the backstory on the house.

Sources & References

Geography & Municipalities

• Census Reporter: Mountain Top CDP & Demographics

  • https://censusreporter.org

• Wright Township: Official Municipal Services & Recreation

  • https://wrighttownship.org

• Rice Township: Official History & Services

  • https://ricetownship.com

• Fairview Township: Municipal Information

  • https://fairviewtwp.com

Schools & Education

• Crestwood School District: Official District Site

  • https://www.csdcomets.org

• PA Department of Education: Future Ready PA Index (Academic Performance)

  • https://futurereadypa.org

• Niche.com: Crestwood School District Rankings & Reviews

  • https://www.niche.com

• LCCC: Young Scholars Program Information

  • https://www.luzerne.edu

Weather & Commuting

• The Weather Channel: Historical Weather Data (Wilkes-Barre vs. Mountain Top)

  • [suspicious link removed]

• PennDOT: Winter Maintenance & Plowing Priorities

  • https://www.penndot.pa.gov

Taxes & Real Estate

• Luzerne County Assessment Office: Current Millage Rates (Property Tax Tables)

  • https://www.luzernecounty.org

• State Tax Equalization Board (STEB): Common Level Ratios (CLR)

  • https://dced.pa.gov

Utilities (Water, Sewer, Internet)

• Mountaintop Area Joint Sanitary Authority (MAJSA): Public Sewer Coverage Maps

  • http://www.majsa.org

• Pennsylvania American Water: Service Territory Maps

  • https://www.amwater.com/paaw

• BroadbandNow: Internet Service Provider Coverage (18707 ZIP Code)

  • https://broadbandnow.com

Lifestyle, Safety & Recreation

• DCNR: Nescopeck State Park Guide

  • https://www.dcnr.pa.gov

• D&L Trail: Trailheads and Maps

  • https://delawareandlehigh.org

• FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR): Local Crime Statistics

  • https://ucr.fbi.gov

• Mountain Peaks Newspaper: Local Police Blotters & Community Events

  • http://www.mountainpeaks.com