Completely Unsure (Wilkes-Barre, Pittston: neighborhoods, college, stats)

[MovingOutOfNJ]

I'm going to be working right off of 81 and 309 intersection, and im tired of living 20 miles from where i live like i do now. its taxing on gas and i have a lease on my car. thats why im focusing on areas around 5-10 miles from Baltimore Dr Wilkes Barre.

[motomojo]

Gotcha. I would not reccomend going out towards Dallas... 309 is a pain... you are better off in say Avoca, probably can get the best deal for the money there, I think... and you arent too "buried" off 81. You dont want to go UP the hill to Bear Creek- there are some expensive homes up there, and you would need to deal with going up and coming down the big hill of 115. Avoca is south of Montage Mountain interchange... there is usually a lot of back ups between Montage and Scranton. Maybe also look in Dupont, Pittston, Plains and Duryea. You could probably get a nice deal- just remember - houses in those areas are built over the abandoned mine shafts, and every once in a while, the ground gives out... so you may want to investigate that... There are some nice homes along 502 in Moosic, and you are close to 81... there is a stream along there- so you just need to be wary of flooding. Mountaintop is nice, but you are kind of isolated, and there is only one way in and out from the north end (into Wilkes Barre) and there is a big hill there... What about going South on 81 to either the exit for Route 29- like Ashley, Sugar Notch, Hanover or Warrior Run, Nanticoke? Property want to avoid Forty Fort, Kingston, Wyoming, West Wyoming, and West Pittston- they are expensive area to live in ((wyoming Area school district). Hope that helps- Laura

[MovingOutOfNJ]

I plan on renting first before i Buy because i have no idea how long i'll be in PA. I'm moving for my job but i want to rent before i buy.

[Chefkey]

OK...Just to give you an idea of the crime that goes on here as compared to your current area read below.LOL

WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Robert DiMaggio, 44, of Albrightsville, was arrested late Wednesday night on charges he forced his way inside his ex-girlfriend’s apartment on Blackman Street and stole a can of spaghetti.

DiMaggio was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and criminal mischief.

According to the criminal complaint:

Lee Ann Ladner told police DiMaggio pried open a basement door and kicked open an interior door at about 11:30 p.m. While inside the apartment, police said, DiMaggio ate a can of Chef Boyardee spaghetti with meatballs.

Police found DiMaggio watching television inside a bedroom. Ladner told police DiMaggio was not permitted to be at her residence.

[MovingOutOfNJ]

criminal actions like that make me re-think my move out to PA ;-)

[jongig]

Where in Jesey. Parents move me here to Lake Wallenpaupack in 7th grade from Tenafly.

john

[MovingOutOfNJ]

The wonderful borough of 23,000 next to staten island, rahway, and woodbridge about 10 miles south of newark.

[jongig]

I own an insurance agency in Scranton and I deal in issues such as theft from homes and autos and I really don't see that crime is a big cause for concern. I will tell you that especially in the Wilkes Barre area it seems like there are some areas that do have problems but they seem isolated. Here in Scranton we have some areas also that I would not move to and these areas are a microcosm of the same issues faced by all cities. If I said I was moving to Newark NJ I’m sure I’d here people telling me the same thing and citing crime but I do know that some areas are quite safe. Having said that it’s true that some cities have more problems than others and that’s most likely due to management of the area but here in NEPA you’ll find some very nice places to live and you’ll feel very safe. I feel very safe here but I chose to live in a safe place. You need to speak to a realtor and explain what you want and a good one will direct you to the right area.

As for renting I would advise against it if you were not doing it because of money. I’ve watched properties increase in cost for years here and I don’t see it ending. True our prices have gone up too much in the two years preceding this year but prices are stable now and now is a good time to buy because of sales being down.

My 2 cents…

John

[Chefkey]

I agree with John that this area really only has some hot spots which are easy to avoid. There is not rampant crime here. You'll be happy when you see the area for your self on a daily basis.

[MovingOutOfNJ]

Oh, guys, i was just being a wise guy. based on the stats, i'm not worrieda at all about crime lol