Middle aged guy with no kids thinking about moving to Scranton area (Allentown: cheap house, employment)

[tripod]

I'm seriously thinking about moving to eastern pa and buying a cheap mobile home or perhaps a VERY modest house. What I'm looking to get is probably a mobile home on a secluded piece of property in a country/rural setting because I really enjoy quiet living and the outdoors and don't have much money to spend on a place. So I'm thinking being somewhere within 10-20 miles of an area like Scranton/Wilkes Barre would fit the bill since I am looking to be in eastern pa and thought the area might have the combination of rural living with some cheap houses available here and there along with plenty of decent areas for outdoor activities like walking, biking, hiking, etc. I would like to be south, southwest, or southeast of Scranton since I am from NJ and would be coming back from time to time. I'm also very familiar with the Lehigh Gorge state park area and do like that area very much but probably wouldn't want to be all the way down there and be 30-35 mi from a major area like Scranton with the biggest town around there being <gasp> Hazleton.

Any thoughts?

[papatriot7]

I would check out the Sweet Valley area.

[tripod]

Forgot to mention I'd be looking for a semi-secluded property with few if any neighbors and would not be moving into any town neighborhoods even if it's a small town. More like a property by itself outside of town like off a county road or something or maybe down a little country road. Basically I want privacy although I don't want to be a mile from the nearest neighbor either if that makes sense. The main reason for wanting to live within 5-15 mi of an area like Scranton/Wilkes Barre is to be near a center that offers all the shopping, services, jobs, etc that a larger area has to offer but would not mind at all living out in a sparsely populated area especially if it has any decent scenery.

How far outside of Scranton/Wilkes Barre do you have to go to be in a sparsely populated area?

[johnqpublic]

to be outside Scranton in an area you describe.... 10 minutes...Newton Ransom/ Falls... Fleetville, Factoryville...

[W-B proud]

Back Mountain, Bear creek would be perfect.

[Riverside4ever]

Go just a little further ,, and check out Promised land , Blooming grove , Just a 1/2 hr to Scranton

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by papatriot7

I would check out the Sweet Valley area.

Originally Posted by johnqpublic

to be outside Scranton in an area you describe.... 10 minutes...Newton Ransom/ Falls... Fleetville, Factoryville...

Originally Posted by W-B proud

Back Mountain, Bear creek would be perfect.

Did any of you read this?

Originally Posted by tripod

I would like to be south, southwest, or southeast of Scranton since I am from NJ and would be coming back from time to time.

Easy commuting proximity back into NJ eliminates Sweet Valley, Fleetville, Factoryville, Newton/Ransom, Falls, and the Back Mountain. Bear Creek is a possible contender, but your best option given that requirement, OP, would be the North Pocono area---Daleville, Moscow, Roaring Brook Township, Mt. Cobb, Jefferson Twp., Elmhurst, etc.

[Mr Yuk]

If you want to be accessible to NJ, and rural, your best bet would be either the North Pocono area of Lackawanna County (Moscow, Daleville, Mt Cobb, Gouldsboro), which is close to I-380, or the Bear Creek area, close to Wilkes-Barre, but along PA-115 which would give you easy access to I-80.

[tripod]

Thanks for the all the help!


Is Scranton a place that is even worth thinking about relocating near? I mean, although I am thinking about moving to rural eastern PA i do want to be within a reasonable drive of a larger city like Scranton to hopefully have access to a decent amount of jobs, services, social activities , etc that might be available there. Will Scranton more than suffice for that? For example, I'm a little familiar with Hazelton and although I could easily live in the surrounding areas I don't get the feeling that having Hazelton as the only nearby city would substantially fit the needs that one typically looks for in a larger town. How does Scranton stack up against Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton? I mean, does Scranton have a lot more to offer overall than A-B-E?

[Mr Yuk]

Originally Posted by tripod

Thanks for the all the help!


Is Scranton a place that is even worth thinking about relocating near? I mean, although I am thinking about moving to rural eastern PA i do want to be within a reasonable drive of a larger city like Scranton to hopefully have access to a decent amount of jobs, services, social activities , etc that might be available there. Will Scranton more than suffice for that? For example, I'm a little familiar with Hazelton and although I could easily live in the surrounding areas I don't get the feeling that having Hazelton as the only nearby city would substantially fit the needs that one typically looks for in a larger town. How does Scranton stack up against Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton? I mean, does Scranton have a lot more to offer overall than A-B-E?

You'll find more city conveniences in Scranton/WB than you will in Hazleton. Around S/WB, there's plenty of shopping, entertainment, minor league sports, restaurants, etc. Its kind of the best of both worlds, because you're also close to outdoor recreation. And if you want to be in the bigger cities, NYC and Philly are only 2 hours away. Its not a bad place at all, as long as you already have a job and your move won't depend on finding a good job, that's kind of tough here.

As far as how the area stacks up against Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, I'd say the amenities in both areas are pretty much even. They're similar areas, although it may be somewhat easier finding employment in the Allentown area, and the Lehigh Valley is a bit more expensive than Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.