Looking to move to Scranton area (Help Needed!) (Wilkes-Barre, Wyoming: cul-de-sac, fit in)

[miamiman]

I am looking to move to the Scranton area from Central Jersey. I am afraid, however, that the rural character of the area might be a huge shock for me. I am used to having a variety of malls around me, as well as Starbucks, which I couldn't survive without! Haha! I remember visiting the area a couple years ago, and being really surprised at the economic depression of the area. Many homes in Scranton and surrounding towns looked old and beat up, and many of the residents seemed pretty down-trodden, as well. For that reason, I am looking for a newer subdivision, in which I can be left in relative solitude, without my over-friendly, noisy neighbors at my doorstep every five minutes and where my house won't be collapsing around my ears. Haha Where in the area will I be most likely to find this?

Additionally, as I am in my thirties and still active, I have concerns that the area might be a little dull on the entertainment and dating scene. I can imagine that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area is pretty dull when it comes to both of those scenes compared to what I am used to. What is there to do in the area? What do you all do on the weekends?

Thanks a lot.

[FightinPhils]

yawn...another lemming searching for sterile shallow suburbia....


Sincerely,
a downtrodden, gloomy city resident who lives in economic depression in a beat up house who would rather eat at a mom-and-pop restaurant than the Olive Garden.

[engsmom]

I am once again shocked at how people percieve those of us wanting to relocate to the state of PA from any state. Is that what we have to look forward to as a welcome wagon? Being from NY I am shocked to see how many people from PA don't seem to want anyone else to move to PA, like it is "their" state and we are ruining it. I can not understand why people don't have more compassion, maybe people want to move to start a new life, make a better life for their children, or some other good reason, and not everyone who migrates to PA is terrible for the state, its' business, etc.

As far as the area, I am looking to relocate my family to PA - either Monroe/Pike County or the Lehigh valley. Both 2 entirely different regions, and I am doing a lot of research, but I have found that many of the realtors will send you information from the visitor's bureau w/ what each town has to offer, how close it is to other cities, etc. But the only way you will know for sure is to go there. I did contact each municipality to get information on each county, towns, etc. I do know the Lehigh Valley area is in closer proximity to Philly,which have more options. But if it is too far south for your commute to work, or other reasons, then I would first contact the local vistor's bureau for basic tourist information, then see what other information you can get from there. I am sure you can also find out census information on how many families vs singles are in the area and so on. Good Luck!

[FightinPhils]

no engsmom, my point was not to blast people from NY or NJ or from any other state. I'm just tired of people searching for sterile suburban cul-de-sacs, rather than looking into established towns/cities. Suburban sprawl is killing this area and this state. Why not look into Scranton, Wilkes-Barre or its immediate surrounding towns rather than cheaply-built sterile character-less McMansion developments that just serve to destroy the environment?

[engsmom]

Okay, I can see your point about the developments. Long Island has that fight going on for the Eastern End b/c they want to keep developing it w/ subdivision, etc and it is ruining the land or what is left of it, parks, wildlife, etc. But on my end, we are looking to move into an already existing home and are looking at homes for sale out of sub divisions, where for us, a good community and school is worth more than moving into an upscale sub division...much of LI is like that now and there is no sense of community left b/c it is every man for him/herself. Very dicouraging...sorry if I took it more personally, just that some of the boards about relocation to PA is met with resistance from many.

[bldginpa]

engsmom,
I have noticed a sometimes hostile tone the the NY & NJ folks looking to move to PA. I for one am looking for a better quality of life. I am tired of the rat race on Long Island, along with the high cost of living. I truly do not think I can retire here and live comfortably. So...it's off to PA we go. I cannot wait! Wide open spaces, friendly (I hope) people, scenery, and trees! Imagine, all I want is to look out my back door and see trees! Can't do that here.

[Wisteria]

I'm surprised you haven't talked to ScrantonWilkesBarre on this board yet. Check his posts. He seems to be the expert in that area!! Good luck!!

[miamiman]

Originally Posted by conorsdad

yawn...another lemming searching for sterile shallow suburbia....


Sincerely,
a downtrodden, gloomy city resident who lives in economic depression in a beat up house who would rather eat at a mom-and-pop restaurant than the Olive Garden.

I have every right in the world to live in "sterile, shallow suburbia" if I want to. It's funny to me that you know absolutely nothing about me, and yet you want to make broad statements about who I am what I'm looking for. Yes, I love Starbucks, but that doesn't equate to me searching for "sterile, shallow suburbia." I don't know how mom-and-pop restaurants figured into the equation. I guess since I frequent one chain, I must frequent them all, and look down on people who don't.

I prefer to live in newer housing, and not the type of older housing that seems to proliferate across much of the Wyoming Valley. If you prefer to live in an older house with "character" and not a newer subdivision, that is completely your choice, and I do not look down on you for it. I was just trying to get a feel for where I could find such housing, as it is what I am looking for. I thank others for positive, constructive input they can and have provided, and not people's snide personal opinions about who I am and what I am about.

[I LOVE PA!]

miamiman...well you basically are calling the area dull, compared to what you are used to. Referring to the entertainment and dating scene that is....
So, you are making a preconceived notion of the area, just like you think Conorsdad is making a preconceived notion about you, who you are, and what you are about.
Your post does give us an idea that you want to know where to look, but have already eliminated towns like Scranton and some surrounding areas because of what you have seen in probably a select few areas.
Your impression that the area is economically depressed can be 1/2 true. Many people here don't have a lot of money, but those who do, don't tend to flaunt it either. My vision of what is a necessity has changed since living here. That is one of the many things I loved about moving to Pa., no more competing with the Joneses, my kids not judging other kids about what kind of sneakers and jeans they are wearing.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not passing judgement on you, but your post makes me think you don't think you'd fit in the area that you saw.
There are many different kinds of people in Pa., just like any other state. And, yes, many don't like the influx of NY and NJ people that come here. I try to ignore that, but after 13 years, it still comes up, and sometimes I get real sick of it. From what I hear, there isn't a state in the country that accepts NYers with open arms. I don't know what gave us such a bad rep! My grandfather was a Pennsylvania coal miner back in the 1920's, and I'm still made to feel like an outsider at times.
I too, would love to find a nice newer home, but I can't afford the newer developments that are going up all around. I have nothing against them, I'd move there in a heartbeat, any one of them, if I could afford it. But I do want friendly neighbors to mingle with while strolling along on the sidewalk in front of my home. I live in the woods, surrounded by vacant house. I want neighbors! And I do love Olive Garden! I hope that doesn't define who I am...

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by miamiman

I am looking to move to the Scranton area from Central Jersey. I am afraid, however, that the rural character of the area might be a huge shock for me. .................Additionally, as I am in my thirties and still active, I have concerns that the area might be a little dull on the entertainment and dating scene. I can imagine that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area is pretty dull when it comes to both of those scenes compared to what I am used to. What is there to do in the area? What do you all do on the weekends?

Thanks a lot.

And you wish to move to NEPA/ Scranton because.........