Why We Love Living in Schuylkill County, PA

©Journal Communications/Bill Derbes

Residents of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, love its affordability, hospitality, slower pace of life, outdoor recreation and cultural experiences. 

For Kelly Huber and Jon Marsh, the decision to put down roots in the area was one that each says has been one of the best choices they’ve made. Read on to hear about why they love calling Schuylkill County home. 

Kelly Huber 

Kelly Huber grew up in Barnesville, but after graduating from high school, she moved to Daytona Beach, Florida. After having her daughter, she moved to New Jersey to be closer to family while attending college. She returned to Schuylkill County, attracted by its affordability and slower pace of life. She is the finance and administrative director for the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. 

What made you want to return to Schuylkill County, and why has it been a great decision? 

New Jersey is very congested. By the time my schooling was over, I couldn’t wait to come back. It really made me appreciate what we have here. I have family support, a slower pace of life, everything is close by, everything is cheaper than it is in New Jersey or in Florida. 

Having smaller schools was a big thing for my daughter. Because of the smaller class sizes, students get more one-on-one attention. Another thing about people here is that they really do care about their community. 

What outdoor recreation/cultural options do you have in and near the county? 

We have three state parks here in the county. Locust Lake State Park and Tuscarora State Park have swimming, boating, trails and camping. One thing I really love is the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train in Ashland. They have shops, and you can ride the train into the mine. We’ve also recently had some wineries open in the area, which I love. 

Jon Marsh 

Jon Marsh grew up outside of Biloxi, Mississippi, before serving in the Marine Corps. He went to college at The Pennsylvania State University, where he met his wife, Liz, who is a Pottsville native. They moved to Philadelphia, where she attended dental school before they returned to Schuylkill County so she could join her father’s dental practice. They opened a popular ax-throwing venue and bar called The Chopping Block. 

What made you want to return to Schuylkill County, and why has it been a great decision? 

I followed my wife here, and I’ve come to love Pottsville. It was her home, and now, we have a home, children and a business here. It’s really an amazing area. Pottsville is a city, but it has that small-town vibe, which I really enjoy. You’re not too far from anything. If you wanted to go to Philly, you can be there in an hour and a half, New York in two and a half, and Allentown or Reading in 45 minutes. You’re not far from anything. Most people here know one another; they’re very welcoming and really nice. Owning a venue like The Chopping Block, I’m constantly meeting people. I’ve made a ton of lifelong friends in the area. There’s a lot of revitalization happening in the area, and there are a lot of people active in the effort to make the community better. 

What outdoor recreation/cultural options do you have in and near the county? 

There’s a ton of outdoor stuff around here – bike trails, lakes, a ton of parks, great fishing, and you’re not far from ski resorts. There will be a lot for my kids to do as they grow up. Being able to get them outside and connected with nature is a really important part of childhood. There are a ton of things to see. Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles is worth visiting, plus you have the Historic Frank D. Yuengling Mansion, which has a great free tour of the original Yuengling Brewery, which is still in operation and is the oldest running brewery in America. They take you into the caves in the mountain and show you the bricks they used to close it up during Prohibition. They give you a lot of history. We have the place where Muhammad Ali trained, Fighter’s Heaven, which I take everyone who visits to go see.