Archbald...how is it? (Scranton, Blakely: for sale, real estate, crime)

[help...needtomove]

I am pretty new to this forum so I was wondering if anyone could give me some information on the Archbald area. My husband and I are looking for a place to live, we are relocating from Buffalo NY to the SWB area soon. We came across a townhome for sale in Archbald on Monica Street, and was wondering about the area. Any info on the neighborhood or even the townhomes (there are no association fees) so we think it is a good move for us. However being out of the area it is so hard to research and get to know an area when you only have weekends and now they are dwindling.
Any other suggestions are openly welcomed.

[MollyMe]

I have a friend who grew up there. He loved it. VERY SMALL TOWN. Not much going on. YAWN!! But nice. Talk to a realtor. Try Moderator cut: local real estate company.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by help...needtomove

I am pretty new to this forum so I was wondering if anyone could give me some information on the Archbald area. My husband and I are looking for a place to live, we are relocating from Buffalo NY to the SWB area soon. We came across a townhome for sale in Archbald on Monica Street, and was wondering about the area. Any info on the neighborhood or even the townhomes (there are no association fees) so we think it is a good move for us. However being out of the area it is so hard to research and get to know an area when you only have weekends and now they are dwindling.
Any other suggestions are openly welcomed.

Archbald is a pretty "ho-hum" type of place that lies along the Lackawanna River. It's your typical small Pennsylvania town with a few churches, some small mom-and-pop shops, parks, and homes. It is home to the Archbald Pothole State Park, which is a major tourist trap. The drive to Scranton is about 20 minutes via the Casey Highway (U.S. Route 6). It is part of the Valley View School District, which is highly-touted by realtors, but is "overhyped" from what I've heard. There are a few newer developments in town, along with some established older neighborhoods. Crime is very low. Townhome communities are springing up left and right across the region, so even if you opt against the one on Monica Street, there will be other options available.

Welcome to the area!

[vvteacher13]

I am a teacher in Archbald. It is a very nice, small town. The schools are above-average. Parts of Archbald are older, but new developments are springing up all the time. It's raising property taxes. There is a new townhome development. They are on Wisteria Lane and are $225K. The one you mentioned on Monica Street is a bit outdated. If you can afford it, opt for the ones on Wisteria.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by vvteacher13

They are on Wisteria Lane and are $225K. The one you mentioned on Monica Street is a bit outdated. If you can afford it, opt for the ones on Wisteria.

Wisteria Lane?? Are you serious? Its bad enough that newer subdivisions are like "Desperate Housewives" shallow materialism, but then they name the street after the street on that show? That's funny.

I'm happy in my established neighborhood with sidewalks...I can walk to our school, church, pharmacy, food store, mechanic (easy for dropping the car off for service). Very few kids need to ride a school bus at our school. I have neighbors that have a connection to the neighborhood. I lived in one of those Archbald developments growing up, and I much prefer where I'm at now.

[NEPA-x-pat]

Archbald has some pretty neat homes in my opinion. I have a different view of them though. I whitewater kayak the Lackawanna several times a year from Archbald to Blakely (Mellow Park) and several homes have built really neat decks and patios right along the river. I am so jeleous. If I were to move back I would look for one of those homes with river access. One home just past Archbald, near Winton bridge had a deck along the river with lighting, a propane heater and wrought iron furniture. We paddled down the river near a nice ledge and the owner and his wife were on the deck sipping a nice wine, eating some cheese and taking in the beauty of the river. THe river is a selling point for me. Flooding along those areas would be rare IMHO, as the decks are place way up on the levees. One is catilevered out over the water. How wonderful. If you get a chance to canoe or kayak this section, take note of these lovely patios.