Am I the Only "Pro-NEPA" Guy LEFT! Holy Canoli! (Scranton: low crime, home)

[okaydorothy]

We currently live on Long Island but have camped seasonally in pA for four years. We keep being drawn to buying something there ; have looked a few times. This year we hope to buy in Wayne county ; Hopefully it will be a retirement home for us eventually. I love the mountains, the views, the white water rafting etc. But yet it is all close to NYC.

dorothy

[bldginpa]

okaydorothy & storminateacup,
I'm so glad someone understands where I'm coming from. We have looked at locations in North Carolina because it seemed like all we heard were wonderful things. Well, if you love living in a "Levittown" type setting, it's great. What I mean is that they strip an area of all trees, subdivide the lots into 50 X 100 pieces and build, build, build. All the houses seem to be on top of one another. We were totally turned off. We needed the opposite...open spaces with lots of trees, one acre lots, no sprawl, no traffic, etc. NEPA just seems to be the perfect answer to our needs. Again, we are very excited. We are building the home we could never ever afford here on Long Island. After we have worked our tails off for 30 + years here, at least we feel we are finally being rewarded.

[HomeAgainInWestPittston]

I made the move back home to NEPA after 28 years in NYC - and I am generally happy I did it. There are huge differences and it has been a bit of a shock - I'm adjusting. I am also doing my part to become part of the community.

I was feeling a bit sad today about not having a relationship - Beltane is approaching and I want to be in love and I'm feeling a bit lonely, and then I read MermanMike's post and WOW! I got my answers. Thank you. The Universe does give me what I need... in the strangest places too. : )

This region is not for everyone and it does have it's problems. So does the rest of the world. If we all make it our responsibility to pitch in and make it a better place it will be.

When negative people start bashing the place that they live in - and do nothing to make it better - the problem is with them. 80/380 and 81 all run both ways -

Cheers!

Linda

[ScrantontoHoboken]

ScrantonWilkesBarre - I've been browsing these message boards for the past few months now, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts.

I grew up in Scranton, went to college at PSU-main, and have lived in Hoboken, NJ for the past five years. Since graduating college, I've made it home to Scranton for at least one weekend per month. Although I have a lot of friends in Hoboken and NYC, I absolutely love going home, and get anxious if I feel like it's been too long between trips. There is honestly a lot going on in NEPA, and I believe that it's only going to improve over the next few years. In fact, when I bring friends home to Scranton, they joke that I turn into a tour guide/Scranton cheerleader the second I pass the 'Welcome to Scranton' signs on the highway.

What saddens me is twofold: One, that I chose a career path (that I love) that does not allow me to live in NEPA. I work long hours, and work in 'corporate' - there aren't many corprorate headquarters in Scranton, and there's no way I can commute back and forth every day. Second, when I read the scrantontimes.com or these forums, there are a number of people who live in NEPA that are so vehemently convinced that the area is beyond recovery that they berate it every chance they get - how can you live somewhere that you hate so much?! Plus, I don't know where they ever GOT the idea that it's so bad...bad was the 1980's and early 1990's, not now, with all of the new development going on in the late 90's and 2000's.

Also, why would a company want to relocate to NEPA, or why would an investor want to spend money in the area if there is clearly a vocal minority that continually degrades the area and its elected officials? Negativity goes a long way...in my mind, that would clearly affect any decision making process. So even though they complain that not much is happening (which isn't true), I think it's actually their own fault...a Catch 22.

On another note ScrantonWilkesBarre, I'm also gay, and like others, don't really see myself as being different than anyone else. That being said, there is a significant gay community in NEPA (if you know where to look), and for the most part they are more welcoming, accepting and friendly than the large communities in NYC or Philly. Plus, the people who know or suspect that I'm gay in Scranton have always been nothing but nice and respectful...there's nothing worse than people assuming that because you're from a mid-sized town, people must be closed-minded, conservative or discriminatory towards minorities...that was not my experience in Scranton.

I'm now in my late 20's, but hopefully one day I'll be able to move back home. Until then, I'll keep on visiting every chance I get. Keep on posting ScrantonWilkesBarre, and good luck with school/job search.

[MB2]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Well, I'm just reading reply after reply after reply from very negative people in several threads who have done nothing but slam Northeastern Pennsylvania, more specifically the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metro. After seeing Scranton being referred to as an "armpit," I just felt I needed to say something. Sure, our area has its fair share of faults, but where else can you be within a two-hour commute to a six-figure career in Manhattan or Philly and come home to tree-lined streets, friendly neighbors, great schools, and beautiful mountain scenery for housing prices of only $120,000, on average? I'll likely be among the growing number of NEPA-NYC commuters myself after college, and to me this area is the best of both worlds---convenience to "The City That Never Sleeps" to further my career while still being able to come home to a "sleepy" town.

If you haven't done so already, please check out some of my photo tours to see that the area is NOT an armpit unless you're a sourpuss who got nowhere in life due to your OWN lack of ambition and are now blaming your shortcomings in life on the area itself:

Clarks Summit: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...t-waverly.html

Milford: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...hoto-tour.html

Scranton, Downtown: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...-part-one.html

Scranton, Nay Aug Park: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...-aug-park.html

Scranton, Hill Section: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...l-section.html

Scranton, Green Ridge: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...enjoyment.html

Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University Area: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...-part-one.html

Old Forge: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...art-seven.html

Mountain Top: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...-part-six.html

Back Mountain, Bulford Road Area: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...part-four.html

Back Mountain, Demunds Road Area: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...part-five.html

Honesdale: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...art-three.html

Tunkhannock: http://www.city-data.com/forum/penns...-part-two.html

I may only be 20, but I feel as if I'm mature enough to see a true "diamond in the rough" of an area right here in NEPA! There's a reason why Money Magazine just ranked Scranton as having the fourth-hottest real estate market in the nation and why our county just showed growth for the first time in 2006. The secret is out---Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is a rising star in the BosWash Corridor! It's unfortunate that I'm apparently the ONLY one on this forum anymore who can see that.

Hi there SWB
I am so sorry, and appologize for not coming to the "rescue" sooner....to preoccupied with my move. Yes, decision is made, we are going back to the Hazleton area because of a job offer, we simply can't refuse !!! YEAH!!!!!!!
You know, I am reading remarks too, but, I just let it "ROLL" off my back to wherever.
Why? Maybe because I'm selfish and want Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre/ Hazleton area all to myself???
Seriously, me and my husband went back several times......before the valentines snowstorm, and after. I was absolutely amazed, on how many out-of-towners live there now (mainly from NY and NJ!!!).
Cheaper living, but still keeping the commute going to work in the big city. Now isn't THAT a sweet deal!
I am going to sum it up a bit:
*Sourpuss people on here (they will NEVER be happy, no matter where they live!)
*Wieners...sorry, whiny people, which complain to no end, offer no solution, and do just that...NOTHING! But yet, they still b****, moan and complain.
*Misery loves company. 'nough said!
I LOVE PA, and can't wait to return,from a state I was certainly not happy in. Guess what? The shoe was on the other food, we b****ed, moaned and complained, and now we are doing something about it....we are MOVING back HOME!!!!
SWB...I am in YOUR corner...LOVE PA with all it's beauty, people and everything it has to offer! Maybe some of those people should go on roadtrips, open their eyes a bit wider, to see how truly breath taking and beautiful this state really is!
And, it certainly helps, to be involved in the community, to make friends. Our best friends, and there is a wole bunch of them, are sitting in PA right now, just waiting for our butts to get back up there. (They planned already a huge welcome back party!!)
So, how can you possibly NOT LOVE such loyal people and area?
I'm on my way comes may 4th, and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
And, the sourpuss people can be just that.....you are not throwing salt in my coffee!!!!
Hang in there SWB....there will come a time when only the "nice" people will remain.....and the "not so nice people" will reconsider!

[bldginpa]

MovingBack2PA,
Very well put...AMEN!

[Baltic_Celt]

Paul -

No, my dear, you're not the only one who doesn't NEPA bash as you can see from the lovely, inspiring comments above, which were all a pleasure to read. Although, honestly, I am rather bash-free in any respect. NEPA rocks! I'm happily returning to the W-B area for school after growing up there in the 60's & 30-years of living in every large coastal city you can name on each coast.

Several things I've noticed, no matter where I've lived are: there are lovely people to know everywhere; there are rude people to avoid everywhere; some of the most "educated" conversations I've had were with working-class folks who've never attended college & in some cases, never graduated highschool; some of the most prejudiced, narrow-minded conversations I've overheard were with folks with many letters after their names; in everyplace you can find the gambut from religious zealots to anti-religous & everything in between; everyplace has problems with drugs, alcohol & assorted criminal activities, in varying degrees, either hidden or exposed; wonderful & horrible bosses, neighbors, landlords, co-workers, friends, mates, rush hour drivers, retail clerks live everywhere. What we focus on becomes reality. I've allowed myself to see the good, attract better, fous on beauty & feel love around me, wherever I go.

Some places I've lived weren't for me & I've been shocked to know others who've lived in the same places with a reverse sentiment. It depends on where you go, whom you hang out with & what you're hoping to find. It also depends on frame of mind. The Dalai Lama & others have said that you can find happiness anywhere, as it is always from within. The loneliness you feel is a human condition at any age, in any city, in any family, etc. In my life, I've surprisingly found that when I've felt the most lonely was while living in an enormous city while staying in a less than optimal relationship. It's depended on my decisions, wholly. That loneliness, in my case, was the inspiration to guide me to better choices & end what wasn't in my best interest, whether a new job, relationship or apartment in another city or state. Sometimes it meant just leaving all the "not working" behind & being alone to heal. The lonliness you feel is your inner beauty prompting you to change something. You have an abundance of inner beauty, which is evident in the exuberance that springs forth from your posts. Lonliness a signal that you are not moving towards what is in your best interest. It may just be a shift in focus, attitude or mood. We all go through similar experiences. Beginning in my 20's, I was miserable & lonely for many years. It wasn't until I tired of myself & my own thoughts rolling around in my head & made the ever-so-slightest shift to begin another, then another, that I realized I'd kept myself in that state. Me, alone. Everyone is different in their shifts. Therapy didn't help me, although it helps others (talking about pain over & over only makes me feel worse) & neither did meds, although they help others (trying to function in a zombie-like state was how they affected me). I was getting nauseous of self-help books (reading is not doing) & waiting for something, someone, anything to pull me up & save me. Finally, one summer day as I heard everyone outside laughing & talking in the sunshine, I got a horrible anger & said, "Get up girl. Get out of the house. Get on with your bloody life. "The one" isn't going to fall through the ceiling & find you." It made me laugh out loud, get dressed, brush my hair & move my body. I still haven't found "the one", but I will & I'm enjoying my life along the way. Whenever I fall back into any state that isn't in my best interest, I say the same. "Get up, get out, get on."

You're a lovely lad & many would be lucky to know you. But, you need to get out of the house in order for others to meet you. If we didn't feel those pangs of loneliness, we wouldn't find the need to meet anyone, so there'd be no couples of any kind. We'd all be content working & coming home to watch TV all night long. I was onboard last year & left (about 4-6 mos ago) as I was online too much & reminded myself of the above. I now limit my daily online time to less than 1 hour. I've too much living to do & soon it will be back in my hometown in NEPA. When I'm retired & 80, I'm sure I'll be happy to have online friends. Now in my 40's, I'm still young, can move about freely & can find friends, for real. So, I do.

My apologies if this sounded preachy, as I was speaking more of myself & my experiences. But, we are all human afterall & at times, experience & feel the same. Some have too much time on their hands to write post after post about dissatisfaction of all kinds with most everything. I now skip their posts & don't enter the "discussion" boards where rants are common. I don't need that in my life. They do for some reason & blessings to them. I wish them well & avoid them, like in "real" life.

NEPA is full of wonderful people. It's safe, people are very kind, it's a wonderful place to raise kids, it's quiet, it's a wonderful place to walk about & breathe fresh air & see the stars at night. These things were lacking in every large city I've lived. Relax, enjoy & get out of the house more often. You'll feel better for it.

Mike, thank you for the Rilke quote. It inspired me. I'm now going to my library site to order a Rilke book. Glad I came across your posting. Kudos to all who've commented with such kindness & hopefullness. It was a nice source of light in my day!... VV

[jimthorpe]

No bashing here....I love NEPA! I'm in the western Poconos and it's an awesome place to be. One of my favorite things is the traffic jams, ya know, those darn turkeys are always messing up the flow I seriously am held up almost everyday by the 20 turkeys that cross the street one at a time, just when you think they're done here comes another. It's really cool when the deer & turkey travel together. They walk a path in the acre next to my house and it's so fun to watch them.

It cracks me up to see "tourists suck" bumper stickers, usually on the cars of hospitality workers. If not for them we'd have tumbleweed rolling down Broadway in JT.

SWB - I know a lot of gay couples in my piece of the mountain, no one single though. I think it's because they are all older, together for a long time, and moved here from somewhere else. Hmmm, pretty much like the hetro couples I know I would imagine it's hard to be young, single and gay.

Well, rock on NEPA lovers!

[ScranBarre]

After doing battle time after time with people who bash NEPA incessantly (yet refuse to RELOCATE), I must thank each and every one of you for your positive reinforcement. I'm especially overjoyed to learn that an old friend of mine (well, "old" as in "former", not as in "aged"), is now back on this forum and back in her beloved hometown after years in the big-city. (You know who you are, my comrade from the Garden Village!)

As far as the gay issue is concerned, please forget I even mentioned it. I only bring it up on days that I'm feeling the loneliest, but on days like today I'm too optimistic about my future political aspirations and other career goals to give a rat's behind about my shortage of romantic endeavors. I know that ten years down the line when I'm well-established in my accounting and real estate careers and am gearing up for a bid for Scranton City Council it would be much easier for me to land clients and gain support from the city's electorate if I were single as opposed to being in an openly same-sex relationship anyways. I know that for some reason or other the local politicians like to tout themselves as being "family men" to gain when they campaign for office (as if we're supposed to be impressed and awestruck by their unprecedented ability to stick it to their wives and pump out a few offspring), and that would be a huge disadvantage for me to overcome in an election in a city that is still rather conservative. In this sense, it's better for me to suffer now emotionally in hopes of a brighter economic tomorrow instead of being foolish and "living for today" when I know it is impossible to dabble in the best of both worlds.

Here are some of the reasons why I love living in our region:

Ricketts Glen State Park
Nay Aug Park
Kirby Park
Lackawanna State Park
Pinchot Trails
Hickory Run State Park
Frances Slocum State Park
Historic District-Tunkhannock
Historic District-Honesdale
Historic District-Scranton
Historic District-Waverly
Historic District-Wilkes-Barre
Historic District-Jim Thorpe
Historic District-Milford
Historic District-West Pittston
Everhart Museum
NEPA Philharmonic
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Baseball/PNC Field
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Penguins Hockey/Wachovia Arena
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Pioneers Football
Old Forge Pizza
Downtown Shopping Options
Low Traffic Congestion
Low Crime
Excellent Schools
Friendliness/Hospitality
Mountain Vistas
Route 307 Overlook
Manning's Dairy
The Preserve at Hillside Farms
Four Distinct Seasons of Variable Weather
Proximity to NYC, Philly
Electric City Jazz Festival
Electric City Film Festival
La Festa Italiana
Pittston Tomato Festival
West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival
Wilkes-Barre Fine Arts Fiesta
Northeast Fair
Bloomsburg Fair
Harford Fair
Honesdale Fall Harvest Days
Clarks Summit Festival of Ice
Inexpensive Housing Prices
Harvey's Lake
Lake Wallenpaupack
Lake Winola
Lake Carey
Lake Nuangola
Electric City Trolley Museum
Steamtown National Historic Site
Historic Scranton Iron Furnaces
Downtown Scranton Shopping/Dining
Mohegan Sun @ Pocono Downs Casino
Gertrude Hawk's Chocolates
Anthracite Heritage Museum
Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
Stourbridge Train Excursions
"The Office"
Colleges/Universities (Including upcoming Medical and Law Schools)



....should I continue, or would the "Chicken Littles" like to come on-board and tear each of these attractive options apart in a never-ending quest to destroy our region's image to outsiders?

[WasPA]

I'd say that you've done such a thoroughly (beyond) thorough job of presenting the area and reiterated much in various threads, that perhaps there hasn't been anything much for anyone else to add; there's an old saying that "if you do it best...you do it..."....lol

I personally haven't disappeared... I didn't see much need to post except to be the one to take up for Wilkes-Barre when I saw earlier that W-B was not receiving due credit or full contemporaneous representation by anyone.....I hope to have helped correct that lapse; I believe (having followed posts subsequent to my own comments, that I did)......my pleasure....