carbondale pa.......how is it? (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: lofts, houses, buying)

[travman514]

hi everyone.im new here.i ive lived in nepa for 7 years.my parents are buying their first house and i would like to know how the area of cabondale is for a 58 yr old couple.their first home(or soon to be first home) is by darte ave.anyone know that particular area?crime?hows the community?thanks to all

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by travman514

hi everyone.im new here.i ive lived in nepa for 7 years.my parents are buying their first house and i would like to know how the area of cabondale is for a 58 yr old couple.their first home(or soon to be first home) is by darte ave.anyone know that particular area?crime?hows the community?thanks to all

Carbondale is your typical struggling small, former mining city in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It has its own YMCA, grocery stores, and a downtown that is attempting to revitalize itself, but most shopping areas are found about twenty minutes south via the Casey Highway (Route 6) in Dickson City. (Lowe's, Target, Viewmont Mall, Wal-Mart, Wegman's, Starbucks, etc.) The town itself has a bit of a "run-down" appearance, but it's actually very safe, tranquil, and friendly. It's mostly a case of a large concentration of poorer elderly homeowners living solely on social security payments who simply can't afford to upkeep their homes, and then younger families move in and renovate them after they die off. Housing prices in the area are very affordable; most sell for under $100,000. Carbondale is also only about 20 minutes from Victorian Honesdale, (see my thread "Northeastern Pennsylvania Photo Tour: Part Three"), with its quaint downtown, historic homes, and many festivals.

I hate to say this, but Carbondale is kind of like "the town that time forgot." While Scranton is beginning to find its niche as the region's urban center with new lofts, coffeehouses, etc., and Honesdale is a tourist destination, Carbondale, just twenty minutes from both, is still in disarray. The downtown is rather disorganized, and there don't really seem to be any long-term plans for renewal. Mayor Justin Taylor, who is only in his early-20s, is now in office, and many hope that he'll help to bring more of a "lively, energetic" feel back to the town. Basically, your parents will have nothing but peace and quiet, but may become bored out of their minds!

[imright]

Carbondale is an upscale area nestled in the mountains and is quite nice. The home prices in the area have been escalating, and there are people of all ages there. I know people who live there, and they are many many young families in the area. It is very safe, beautiful and peaceful.

[MrTudo]

Contrasting views

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

Contrasting views

I know. Carbondale is a "nice", "safe" area, but it's FAR from "upscale." If you want "upscale", then head to Clarks Summit, the Back Mountain, Mountain Top, or Glenmaura.

[FightinPhils]

Carbondale is jokingly referred to among locals as "Garbagedale," if that helps somewhat.

Also, Carbondale schools consistently rank at the bottom of all area schools in academic performance. Especially avoid it if you have children.

[JODY920]

How are the schools in honesdale compared to carbondale?

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by JODY920

How are the schools in honesdale compared to carbondale?

I'm pretty sure Honesdale schools are pretty good. Most NEPA schools are good. From reviewing test scores and rankings that are regularly printed in the local papers, I would say that these schools should be avoided:

Carbondale
Old Forge
Pocono Mountain


Most others are average/above average. Both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre city schools rank pretty well academically.

[Cavi]

Good Evening,
In reference to the status of Carbondale, PA. What would you say the town needs to get revitalized? What is special about the town compared to Honesdale and nearby Scranton? I am interested in your opinion. Thanks.

~Cavi

[imright]

Scranton is kind of dangerous, and dumpy. However, it too is not too bad. Honesdale is awesome, however, there is a Walmart there and it has a "sprawl" effect to it. Carbondale is a little town nestled in the mountains, apart from all of the other cities in the area, and it has a more community feel to it. Even though it is so far from Scranton, it is connected by way of a new highway and a fairly new (in the last ten years) business route 6 that is just a beautiful drive to shopping, in about 15 to 20 minutes away. The stores and homes in the Carbondale area are nice to look at, and the people are nice. The mountain ranges that it is nestled in between make the community feel very serene. The grocery store (Weis) just went through major renovations and looks very upscale. It seems as though life is good in Carbondale. It may have had a bad reputation before, maybe because it was so isolated from the other communities. However, since the two roadways have been put in (the highway and the business route 6) the area has become more and more refined and revitalized. The Governor just gave the City of Carbondale a 3 Million dollar grant to further upgrade the city. The prices of homes have been going up rapidly and now it is hard to find a nice three bedroom home for less than 75 to 80 thousand. Only two years ago, those prices would have been in the 50 thousand range. There are many more houses in this area going for much more than that.