Stroudsburg? (Allentown, Scranton, Bethlehem: relocate, transplants, for sale)

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by izzymare

Maybe I am the minority among this group with their love for Scranton and absolute hatred for Stroudsburg, but I am truly sick of the bashing that is going on here. I have walked in Stroudsburg, I'm sure alot more times than SWB and I have never, not once been approached by panhandlers. Where are you hanging out, and also for someone who is so young, you are such an authority? How could you possibly know everything by photo shoots. I really don't get it. Scranton has been going downhill for years, so much so that they even have to close the Catholic schools because people are leaving the area. I know you are entitled to your opinions, but honestly, do a little more research.

Could you possibly come off as being any more condascending? "Do a little more research?" Do you think I "invented" the story about being panhandled? Do you think WNEP "invented" the story of not only the elderly man being stabbed five times but also the man being bashed over the head in a botched mugging the NEXT day as well? Do you think Karen "invented" the story about her own brother being attacked? Do you think I "invented" the story about my ex-boyfriend seeing the gun at Perkins? Just because you don't like to hear the truth that your wholesome little town isn't quite as Mayberry-like as meets the eye doesn't mean that we all haven't personally had negative experiences with Stroudsburg. If you think it's the best thing since sliced banana bread, then more power to you, and I hope you're successful in turning that town around. As for me, I'm not going to keep quiet about my feelings that a borough of 6,000 or so residents should not be dealing with these aforementioned big-city issues.

By the way, I never proclaimed myself to be an "expert" on anywhere on account of my photo tours. I'm not even an expert on Scranton, even though I'm by and large its most vocal (if not ONLY) advocate. Where you got this notion of "everyone" loving Scranton when WeLuvPA, NYRangers, CHS89, Casper, etc. all bash it into the ground for its inept politicians is beyond me---I'd be inclined to even take that as a personal stab, as I'm visibly the ONLY one on this forum who doesn't bash the city. The only area I'm truly confident about is Greater Pittston, as I've lived here for the past twenty years and know it like the back of my hand. I realize there are others on this forum who are more knowledgeable about Stroudsburg than I am, but I can't sit back and let people talk about it as being some sort of Bedford Falls type of atmosphere with hummingbirds and pansies on every corner when my own experiences with the town have all been quite negative. If I'm not entitled to have negative opinions about Stroudsburg after only visiting several times, then what gives you the authority to have negative opinions about Scranton when you likewise don't live there?

I'll tell it like it is---I felt more threatened walking around that day in Stroudsburg than I EVER do walking around Scranton's notorious Hill Section, which probably has an even larger population within its neighborhood boundaries than the entire borough of Stroudsburg. One can take my observations with a grain of salt if they wish (most on here do anyways, so I don't know why you're getting yourself so worked up).

Finally, I'm tiring of everyone slamming me on account of my youth. If anything, you should all be thanking your lucky stars that an educated twenty-something is actually STAYING in NEPA to try to make it a better place while all of my peers flock to NJ/NYC. Do I paint a too-rosy picture of Scranton? Only if you prefer to dwell upon the negatives in life. On the other hand, I couldn't find many redeeming qualities that Stroudsburg offered to offset its crime issues. It's just my opinion---I'm sorry that it's unpopular on a forum where everyone loves Stroudsburg and hates Scranton.

[Lehigh Valley Native]

I'll make this real simple, Stroudsburg is a cesspool. Yes, it has a few charming streets off the main drag, but by and large it is a hell hole. If it isn't the rednecks, its the gangs, if it isn't them it's the pan handlers, or maybe a few motorcycle gangs, the list goes on. For such a small town, it truly is crime ridden.
As far as Scranton, for me I wouldn't live there, but mainly because I hate living in cities. It is however a great place to visit, IMHO.
Wilkes-Barre, that city is a cesspool too. Terrible streets, crime, depressed property values, poor schools. The only thing WB has going for it is its two colleges.
I live in Kingston and hate it(had to move here). Nice enough town I suppose, but as I said before not big on city life.

[izzymare]

SWB,
I am not "worked up".

I'm sorry you are so sensitive that you are being "bashed" for being young. Obviously, you stuck it to me.

[izzymare]

I was away for a few days with a very sick mother. For this reason I had not read the Pocono Record. I now understand what is going on after seeing the headlines from this week. My apologies to all for my ignorance.

[Summering]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

The majority on this forum like to slam Scranton into the ground, much to my chagrin, but I allow them to make their disparaging remarks about the city because I realize we're all entitled to our own opinions. Similarly, I'm entitled to my opinion that elderly people shouldn't be getting stabbed multiple times on the streets of a town of only 6,000 residents. A town of only 6,000 residents should not have gang-related graffiti tags just off the main drag, broken windows, etc. There were a lot of bright spots to Stroudsburg, but I truly don't understand what the "allure" is for new transplants when you have much, much friendlier, cleaner, more well-kept towns nearby such as Honesdale, Jim Thorpe, and Milford.

I'll concur that the Stroudsburg School District is above-average. As a recent high school graduate myself, we'd often be beaten in Science Olympiad competitions by their team. I never said "all" teenagers in the Poconos become hellions due to a lack of parental supervision---although you can't argue that the Hell's Angels came to Monroe County to battle the increasing gang presence for a reason. My ex-boyfriend, a transplant from Brooklyn, lives in Pocono Farms, and he made comments about known gang members living in A Pocono Country Place, not far at all from his own planned community. Considering my ex was an ex-gang member himself when he lived in NYC, I'd value HIS judgments about the level of gang activity in Monroe County over the biased tourism bureau or a bunch of 45-year-old soccer moms on an internet forum with an "it can't happen here" mentality.

I still have yet to hear a logical reason as to why a community of 6,000 residents has such issues with criminal acts. I can rattle of dozens of communities in NEPA that are even larger than that and seem to have a fraction of the crime issues that plague Stroudsburg. I'm not at all surprised that this man was stabbed multiple times for turning down panhandlers---I likewise felt threatened on Main Street when I also turned down panhandlers during my photo tour.

First impressions are everything, folks. Most people come to Scranton for the first time and think "Ick" due to its blue-collar nitty-gritty feel. Then again, I know of many who feel the same way about Stroudsburg when they have to dodge panhandlers, graffiti, and arson scenes, as I did. Not everyone is "cut out" for every community. I found the rudeness expressed by many drivers in Stroudsburg to be enough to make me want to get out. Likewise, I have yet to find a fellow forum member who has one kind thing to say about Scranton without harping on about politics, taxes, corruption, etc. You're all not going to convince me to like Stroudsburg after the very negative experience I had there, and I won't be able to convince any of you to like Scranton either. Let's just leave it at that.

I like Scranton it is such a typical, Pa downtown........ I don't know anything about its corruption, or politics..........I avoid those deep, intense issues.
I just know that I have enjoyed Scranton and the surrounding areas.
I loved Stroudsburg also.........
Sad, sad thing is.......Stroudsburg was a pleasant college town, warm and inviting. The people waved, and nodded when you went for lunch at MOLLYS or the corner Deli.
We'd take walks along the main street stopping at the home made icecream
store. Going to the printers for invitations. Visiting Tastefully Yours, and other places along the way. Craft stores, appliance stores, Agways.......
When the influx of inner city people came, the town changed. Its hard to put it that way. But, that is what happened.
This once wonderful town, is now in sad shape.
Should the police be taking care of these hoodllums who roam the streets.....or should parents make sure their child is a great token of this society. You can't work as far as NYC and have hours left for the kids, here in Pa. There is not enough hours in one day.

[Summering]

Originally Posted by izzymare

I was away for a few days with a very sick mother. For this reason I had not read the Pocono Record. I now understand what is going on after seeing the headlines from this week. My apologies to all for my ignorance.

Izzymare, I hope your Mom is ok......I am sure she loved you being with her.
I'm sure everyone understands...........
I wish we had a magic wand for Stroudsburg, to make its fast decline...vanish.

[karen_s]

Izzy, hope your mom is feeling better.

I second the magic wand Summering wants, if only we had one...

[Summering]

Originally Posted by Lehigh Valley Native

I'll make this real simple, Stroudsburg is a cesspool. Yes, it has a few charming streets off the main drag, but by and large it is a hell hole. If it isn't the rednecks, its the gangs, if it isn't them it's the pan handlers, or maybe a few motorcycle gangs, the list goes on. For such a small town, it truly is crime ridden.
As far as Scranton, for me I wouldn't live there, but mainly because I hate living in cities. It is however a great place to visit, IMHO.
Wilkes-Barre, that city is a cesspool too. Terrible streets, crime, depressed property values, poor schools. The only thing WB has going for it is its two colleges.
I live in Kingston and hate it(had to move here). Nice enough town I suppose, but as I said before not big on city life.

Lets not forget that Allentown is its own cesspool, if thats the word you seem to like......there is drugs, and shootings as well , right there.
Everytime I pick up the local paper in that area, some horror has happened.
Crime and drugs are all over the place now. Everywhere..........just go to the other states on city-data and its evident that everyone is complaining of the same issues. As much as I like Lehigh, it too has big problems.
I remember a teacher who went shopping at the Mall and was murdered that evening.( right there at the Mall lot) This was just before my own daughter was buying a home near there, and I was frightened for her.
Our towns are all getting wacked with this crazyness, of crime, drugs, hoodlums roaming..........Something has to be done, but what?

[Summering]

Originally Posted by karen_s

Izzy, hope your mom is feeling better.

I second the magic wand Summering wants, if only we had one...

Karen_s, I think we need to hire the Guardian Angels and let them use their magic wand.........roam that town and wack some sense into it.
Its a crime ( no pun intended) that this had to happen to such a charming,and appealing town.

[izzymare]

Thank you Summering and Karen. If you believe in prayer, please say a prayer for her.

Izzymare