New Sub-Forum Poll (Reading, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: real estate, crime, homes)

[ScranBarre]

Hello everyone! I recently posted a new thread in the "About the Forum" area of the web site which gives people an opportunity to post replies asking for new sub-forums to be considered. I got the ball rolling by suggesting one more "Northeastern Pennsylvania" on our PA state forum, since the forum seems to be dominated by inquiries about either the Pocono Mountains or the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metro. In my opinion, a third sub-forum may not be needed right now, but in the future as the number of registered members continues to swell closer to that 100,000 mark, I think it may be more prudent to get rid of the "NEPA Clutter" and move it to its own sub-forum.

Please take the time to vote in this new poll to let your voices be heard. You can vote for more than one forum if you wish. If you have suggestions other than the ones I've recommended, then feel free to reply. I know I posted a thread similar to this probably way back in November or so, but I'd like to change the poll options at this time. Vote early; vote often! P.S. If you're still in the "electoral" mood, feel free to see my other thread, "Getting the Itch" to vote for where you'd like me to snap my next photo tour. Currently, Milford is in the lead with four votes, but that could change with more participation, as I don't intend on snapping more photos until this weekend, at the earliest.

Thank you, and please continue to keep City-Data such a valuable resource to potential new residents to the Keystone State!

ScrantonWilkesBarre (Paul)

[FightinPhils]

I voted for the combined NE PA forum. It seems that the majority of posts on here are about S/WB and the Poconos.

[Dawne]

Maybe a subforum entitled "Communities within commuting distance of NY and NJ" since that seems to be of great concern to many people.

[L.K.]

I love that idea Dawn! There are many of us in that situation-Thanks!

[Katiana]

Seems this Pennsylvania forum is mostly about eastern/central PA. Would suggest a sub-forum on central PA and one on NW PA.

[ScranBarre]

Am I to believe that this poll has had nearly 200 views and only 21 voters thus far? In other words, only about 1/10 of those who clicked on the poll contributed? C'mon PA! We'll likely be seeing a third sub-forum added in the upcoming months, and this is your opportunity to let your voices be heard by the powers-that-be! I hope this isn't a foreshadow of the turnout for the November 2008 presidential elections!

[dcris]

I'd like to see Berks County as opposed to just Reading, even though I voted for Reading AND other. Reading has a reputation that reflects negatively on the rest of the area. I really don't think it's necessarily fair, but it is what it is.

Anyone agree?

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by dcris

I'd like to see Berks County as opposed to just Reading, even though I voted for Reading AND other. Reading has a reputation that reflects negatively on the rest of the area. I really don't think it's necessarily fair, but it is what it is.

Anyone agree?

I agree. I've been to Reading on several occasions to go outlet shopping, and while I think it does definitely have potential to "bounce back", the crime issues for such a small city are APPALLING! Meanwhile, Scranton, which has roughly the same population, has not had a single homicide in nearly two years! The city does unfortunately have a cruddy reputation, and it spreads itself to taint the surrounding areas too. I doubt "Berks County" would make the cut for a new sub-forum due to the lack of overall interest, but if it did, I'd be in favor of that title.

As of right now, it's becoming apparent that, as I predicted, Northeastern PA and the Lehigh Valley are both leading the push for new sub-forum creation. It would be nice to combine them both into one new sub-forum, but I just don't think that would be a good idea.

[dcris]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

I agree. I've been to Reading on several occasions to go outlet shopping, and while I think it does definitely have potential to "bounce back", the crime issues for such a small city are APPALLING! Meanwhile, Scranton, which has roughly the same population, has not had a single homicide in nearly two years! The city does unfortunately have a cruddy reputation, and it spreads itself to taint the surrounding areas too. I doubt "Berks County" would make the cut for a new sub-forum due to the lack of overall interest, but if it did, I'd be in favor of that title.

As of right now, it's becoming apparent that, as I predicted, Northeastern PA and the Lehigh Valley are both leading the push for new sub-forum creation. It would be nice to combine them both into one new sub-forum, but I just don't think that would be a good idea.

I see your point. The "lack of overall interest" may be a good reason that the area wouldn't warrant a sub-forum creation.

In your travels to the outlets, have you ever taken the time to explore the area? If not, I think you might be impressed with some of what the area has to offer. I've recently scouted the area slightly to the west of the outlets and the Berkshire Mall, known as Lower Heidelberg Township, home of Blue Marsh Lake. It's an impressive sight, enhanced by the mountainous backdrop.

To the east is the Oley area, very rural, lots of farms, if you like that stuff. I do. The odd smells of farmland activity, it adds to the character, along with the old stone homes.

I've seen bits and pieces of information that lead me to believe there is an attempt to revive the area. I have a gut feeling it's happening. I can't quite put my finger on why I feel that way, maybe it's faith? I took a gamble on the gut feeling and got licensed to sell real estate.

If you decide to come out this way and have time for exploration, drop me a line and maybe I can suggest a few places to look around. Even the "infamous" downtown area has some beautiful architecture.

[Rosanne]

I vote for Lehigh Valley, since that would be of most interest to me. Thanks for doing this for us SWB.