Scranton to NYC Metro? (condo, low crime, purchase)

[ScranBarre]

I posted the following on the NYC forum last week, but I only had a few "views" thus far, let alone a reply, so I'm hoping for a better turnout on the main NY state forum. Here it is, in all of its lengthy, bland, and unedited glory! LOL! Thanks in advance for any insight into the practicality of a long commute.

Good morning everyone! I'm currently enrolled at King's College in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and I'm currently at a crossroads in my life. Ever since I was around twelve I've taken a vested interest in wanting to remain in the Scranton area to raise my family as the quality of life here is outstanding. The one thing missing here is a plethora of white-collar, family-sustaining career opportunities (The locals here cheer when a new Wal-Mart opens for its "quality jobs!") As an Accounting major, I'm VERY interested in working as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers or Robert Half Investments in Manhattan, where starting salaries range very well in the area of $50,000-$60,000. I know that earning $60,000 annually would afford a very nice lifestyle here in Scranton for my future family, but the thought of commuting is still a bit blurred to me.

Is there anyone out here who used to live in PA and commuted to NYC for a while? My goal right now is to purchase a downtown condo in Scranton and drive to the Poconos, where I'd hop a Martz bus everyday into the city. The commute would probably take about 2.5 hours each way, but I'd be willing to endure a five-hour round-trip commute if it meant that my children could be raised in an area of excellent schools, low crime, and clean air. I know a new commuter rail line is currently being developed between Scranton and Hoboken, so that will be another option for me in a few years. NEPA truly is "home" to me, but the career outlook here is seemingly worse than it is in the rural South! I know there are many others from my high school in a similar situation---Torn between settling for being paid less than what they're worth to live in Scranton to be near family and pleasant living or leaving it all behind to chase the better opportunities in NYC and Philly. (I'm aiming for BOTH! I know I'm greedy! LOL!) I'd NEVER consider moving into NYC due to the high cost-of-living and high crime (Other than that I love the Big Apple), so I guess I'm stuck with a five-hour commute. Any suggestions from those who either have made the Scranton-NYC commute in the past or are currently doing so? Thanks in advance!