What Would You NOT Change About Scranton? (Pittston, Hyde: apartments, lofts)

[skijmpr]

Allow me to turn my last question inside-out. What is one thing about Scranton (the city, not the gov't) that you wouldn't want to change?

I would say the character of the old buildings in the heart of downtown. Some of them are very cool to look at, and you just don't get that in a lot of places where they were torn down or left to crumble (yes I know Scranton has probably had its share of both of those too, but it still has a significant number of historic buildings).

[CHS89]

Excellent question.

The old world ethnicity of some of the neighborhoods, probably. Scranton has several predominantly Italian, Polish, German, Irish, Russian, Greek, and Jewish areas, and in those areas are churches/temples that have summertime festivals or other events that uniquely represents those heritages. From the Church of the Annunciation's Greek Festival to the Sacred Hearts picnic featuring haluski and pierogis to St Franci of Asissi's Polenta dinners, almost every neighborhood (even within the various sections) has a very distinct ethnic flavor.

[loveinbloom]

Originally Posted by CHS89

Excellent question.

The old world ethnicity of some of the neighborhoods, probably. Scranton has several predominantly Italian, Polish, German, Irish, Russian, Greek, and Jewish areas, and in those areas are churches/temples that have summertime festivals or other events that uniquely represents those heritages. From the Church of the Annunciation's Greek Festival to the Sacred Hearts picnic featuring haluski and pierogis to St Franci of Asissi's Polenta dinners, almost every neighborhood (even within the various sections) has a very distinct ethnic flavor.

I must agree...the "feel" of Scranton always made me feel good...now that I am a part of here...I love it even more!

BTW...my son is so proud of being called a Polish prince...and was amazed at how many other Polish princes and princess there are here! I think he may of thought he was a real one! LOL

[ScranBarre]

I'd likewise concur with the three of you. Our historic architecture needs to be preserved and nurtured---not torn down to make way for gawdy strip malls, drive-thru chain drug stores and fast-food restaurants, etc. (as they've done with decimating once-vibrant Downtown Pittston). Also, I think it's wonderful that Scranton is a "city of neighborhoods." Hyde Park has its own downtown area that while perhaps in dire need of a cosmetic facelift in the streetscape department is still quite full of vitality. Green Ridge and the Hill are replete with historic Victorians, Tudors, Greek Revivals, etc., including the mayor's rather ornate mansion. SouthSide is probably one of the more close-knit neighborhoods of the city that is now welcoming a growing Latin population. Center City could truly take off with the development of apartments, condos, lofts, etc. if we didn't have a bunch of idiots at the helm of downtown redevelopment initiatives. In a sense you could live in a medium-sized city of 70,000 while still feeling like you live in a small-town atmosphere of 10,000.

[FightinPhils]

I live in West Side, in Hyde Park, and definitely feel that I live in more of a small-town atmosphere with city conveniences nearby. I really like it here, and I would never want to live in a suburban McMansion development ever again. The only problem here is the political corruption, but that's not a problem exclusive to Scranton. The small town governments around here, as well as the county government, are probably as corrupt as Scranton.

As far as the ethnic flavor of individual neighborhoods, I haven't been quite able to figure out what the predominant ethnicity is of West Side yet since moving here. It seems to be a mix.

[to570717]

West side has always been an Italian area, lots of slovaks and the Lebonese, syrian Maronite community.

[WatsonWest]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

I live in West Side, in Hyde Park, and definitely feel that I live in more of a small-town atmosphere with city conveniences nearby. I really like it here, and I would never want to live in a suburban McMansion development ever again. The only problem here is the political corruption, but that's not a problem exclusive to Scranton. The small town governments around here, as well as the county government, are probably as corrupt as Scranton.

As far as the ethnic flavor of individual neighborhoods, I haven't been quite able to figure out what the predominant ethnicity is of West Side yet since moving here. It seems to be a mix.

I agree with the "neighborhood" feel here in West Scranton. I'd lived in a very small town before coming here. I knew more of my neighbors in Scranton in the first month of moving in than in the 6 years I'd lived in the other town. That's the one thing I really like about where I live.
I don't feel weird asking one of my neighbors if I can "borrow a cup of sugar" and we all watch out for each other.
I do feel in the minority not being Catholic though, especially living near St Ann's.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by WatsonWest

I do feel in the minority not being Catholic though, especially living near St Ann's.

That's pretty much all of NE PA....majority Catholic. Mainly because the predominant ethnic groups of the area: Irish, Italian, and Polish are mostly Catholic. Although in the minority, there are plenty of Protestants here as well....especially in West Side, where there seems to be a sizeable Welsh community.

[WatsonWest]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

there are plenty of Protestants here as well....especially in West Side, where there seems to be a sizeable Welsh community.

Yep, I married one of them.

[ScranBarre]

Yep. Me too! I'm guilty as charged. Protestant power!