Moving to Scranton from Staten island New York (Washington, Dunmore: real estate market, hotel)

[GREGGO72]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to move to Scranton from New York because of the reasonable real estate market. The reason we are looking at scranton is because we want city living with a small town feel. Right now we are looking at the green ridge/west scranton/south scranton areas. We want to live in the city limits. I am going to be working in new york three days a week so does scrantons wage tax apply to me if i am not working there? Any ideas? Also i heard some bad things about south scranton. Any truth to the thought that you should not be buying in that area? We are going to be visting scarnton oct 7th 2007 to look at houses any input would be appreciated. Hey scrantonwilkesbarre any photo tours of south scranton. There is a house there i LOVE!!! thanks again! Greg

[go phillies]

Originally Posted by GREGGO72

Hi everyone,

I am looking to move to Scranton from New York because of the reasonable real estate market. The reason we are looking at scranton is because we want city living with a small town feel. Right now we are looking at the green ridge/west scranton/south scranton areas. We want to live in the city limits. I am going to be working in new york three days a week so does scrantons wage tax apply to me if i am not working there? Any ideas? Also i heard some bad things about south scranton. Any truth to the thought that you should not be buying in that area? We are going to be visting scarnton oct 7th 2007 to look at houses any input would be appreciated. Hey scrantonwilkesbarre any photo tours of south scranton. There is a house there i LOVE!!! thanks again! Greg

Yes...Scranton's wage tax applies to all residents, whether or not they work in Scranton. South Scranton is not all bad...Its the lower parts you want to avoid....Prospect Ave, Cedar Ave, Pittston Ave, and the area known as the "Flats" on S.Washington Ave, avoid these areas. Upper parts of South Side like East Mountain and the southernmost part of South Side known as Minooka are nice areas. Otherwise, I'm partial to West Side myself. Pretty much all of West Side is nice, just avoid the east side of Main Ave., and the lower parts of Washburn and Luzerne Streets. Green Ridge has some very nice older homes but also very pricey as well. The Hill section is nice in spots, but you pretty much want to stick to the upper part of the Hill section, the lower part is a little on the rough side, due to being right next to the University of Scranton and slumlord-owned off-campus student housing bringing down the neighborhood.

[scrantonluna]

There is another active post very similar to this one, so I will recommend you simply read or join in that one rather than have me repeat everything here. One thing I will say is that it only takes a few minutes to talk to prospective neighbors, and you will learn everything you need to know. You may also want to look at the hollywood section of Dunmore, which borders scranton, and the area surrounding Marywood. These are nice, safe neighborhoods with many large victorian homes.

[GREGGO72]

we are looking at North rebecca ave area code 18504 ash street same code
boulevard ave area code 18509 and cedar ave 18505 any thoughts on these blocks. I am a little concerned because three days out of the week i will have to leave my wife and son (6yrs old) and daughter(4yr old) alone in Scranton. Any thoughts on what public schools are the best. We saw that there seemed to be quite a few school is Scranton. We are prepared to make an offer on Sunday and we want to have the most input we can find. Thanks again everyone. By the way what thead are you talking about? Alot of them seem to be about single urbanites or couples with no kids. I did see one about a developmentally disabled child is that the one you are talking about? Thanks again
Greg

[scrantonluna]

Greg, I noticed you are posting in the other one, so you already know about it. 300k should buy you just about whatever kind of house you are looking for, so don't make a mistake. Most four bedroom homes will range from 160k to 200+. I wouldn't bother with the cedar ave home. If you are going through a realtor, ask to see homes near Nay Aug park (arthur ave), Lake Scranton (elmhurst blvd.), Marywood Univ. (woodlawn), and the Hollywood section of Dunmore. There are other nice areas, but these are in the top 10. Stay away from properties in south side, near the university of scranton (lower hill), and pinebrook sections. Also, the 'plot' section (race st, amelia, brown) is prone to flooding. Spend some time riding around and checking out various areas.

[scrantonluna]

Check out 1706 olive st. Only a three bedroom, though, don't know if you would be happy with that. 1350 sqr ft. Looks like a lot of house for only 170k. A block and a half from Nay Aug as well.

[mgb]

[quote=GREGGO72;1597520]we are looking at North rebecca ave area code 18504

That is a nice area. There is a grade school (John Marshall) just a few blocks away. (if you're looking in the 500-900 blocks)Also, a new grade school is planned for the Tripp Park area (nearby). When it is built, Marshall will be closed. You might want to check out that area as well.


"cedar ave 18505 any thoughts on these blocks."

Cedar Ave is very long. If you are talking about blocks higher than '2000', you are headed into Minooka, which is nice. The lower-numbered blocks of Cedar ave would not be on my radar.

"I am a little concerned because three days out of the week i will have to leave my wife and son (6yrs old) and daughter(4yr old) alone in Scranton."

They couldn't be in a safer place.


"Any thoughts on what public schools are the best."

John Marshall has one of the best reputations in the city, unless something has changed that I don't know about. I'm not too sure about other grade schools now.
Mary

[scrantonluna]

Greg, I would also check out 1115 electric st. It's a bit high price-wise at almost 290k, but it meets two of your requirements, having a church less than 500 feet away (unsure of the denomination, though), and a school within just a few blocks. The home is on a large-for-the-area lot, has five bedrooms and four full baths, is in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Scranton, and even has a small green space directly across the street.

[GREGGO72]

290k is a lot out of our budget. we can buy a home in staten island on the cheaper side at that price-price is a major issue. we are looking to spend 175 k max and the houses we are looking at are between 110 and 150 k. we don't care if the houses are a bit older. we would ideally like a block that has other blue collar new families. we like the fact that many blocks have block parties and people tend to take pride in their property and neighborhood. we will find out a lot when we visit scranton on october 6 and 7. we are going to stay at a hotel october 6 and see houses and other places of interest on sunday. hopefully the weather stays as nice as it was today.

[Retired Law 08]

I am also from staten island and have a home in clarks summit for about a year, I will be retiring in nov. clarks summit is about 8 miles from scranton, is a small town but has alot to do, you can get a nice home in your price range,
it is a good safe area, schools are great, taxes 1k to 4k the people are awesome, have great neighbors, very freindly and helpfull, my wife and I are very happy with clarks summit, it is rural, but at the same time you have nice restaurants and shopping.my dayghther will be going to marywood, near dunmore, another nice area, I did alot of research on the area before buying
if you have any questions feel free to ask,If you go to a realtor ask them about clarks summit.