need to know about Towanda (Bradford, Sayre: home, employment, movie theater)

[jdshamong]

How is Towanda for a family with 3 small children? is it safe?

[Dawne]

Towanda is a small town in Bradford County. It's generally a nice area, although there's not much going on there. There are some drug issues in Bradford County, most notably with meth labs. The police are addressing the issues, but it's been an ongoing problem.

If you're looking to relocate because of employment in the area, there might be some nicer areas you could move to and commute to work. Hopefully someone with more insight will reply soon.

[memoriesbre]

I am in Wyoming County just south of Bradford County. Towanda is closer to NY State. I haven't heard bad things about that area. The area is also very pretty and rural. You would need to come up and look around. That is the best way to find out. If you want to be closer to shopping, restaurants, etc.
maybe moving a bit south and east would be a good choice. Wyoming County, Lackawanna County and even Susquehanna County may be a good choice!

[lovely-ladybug]

Towanda, Pa is not a great place at all. I live near there and it is a town that is falling apart. It has a 2 screen movie theater. (Which is about the best thing in Towanda) it has a hospital that is in horrible shape. I told my husband let me die before you take me there. *Remember these are my opinions* Towanda is by Wysox which has a k-mart, grocery store, JCPenny Store, Bonanza, Subway and McDonalds. There is nothing worth seeing in Towanda let alone moving there. These are my opinions though as I said. It seems like it is a bad place to me since I was born and raised in VA Beach so it is just a culture shock to me. I hope that this helps you. I personally would never raise my children in Towanda in fear of all of the influences of the area could be detremental to them. If you need anymore help let me know!

[Chad2002]

Towanda is definitely in rougher shape than other communities in this region. I work in Towanda, but live elsewhere about 30 min away. Towanda is definitely safe and the meth issue is entirely overstated. I've never seen it or had to deal with it. It's around, but drugs are in every community. Unless you're involved in that sort of thing, the only place you will know about meth is from the newspapers & the jokes we tell around town. The schools are pretty good in this area, at least as good as the average for PA. Towanda HS is unique for offering Japanese in addition to the usuals. NY is 15 miles north and its Regents system is far more well-regarded in terms of public education. If you are moving here, I would definitely focus on finding a place outside town, and closer to Sayre/Athens. The shopping, restaurants, etc are all oriented toward the north. Anything like that on the PA side of the border is much farther away and less convenient.

[thudoe]

I have to disagree with Lovely-Ladybug above. I have lived off and on in Towanda since 1993. My children have all attended public schools in Towanda, and they have said they were the best schools they attended. They have done well academically and three of them have doctorate degrees now. The schools have been remodeled and had new additions and facilities. The hospital is modern, friendly, clean, and provides inpatient, outpatient and outreach services with outstanding physical therapy, wellness clinics, free health fairs, home health, physical rehabilitation services, skilled nursing units and so forth. I have not hesitated to have my family members health care done there. Yes, Towanda is rural. I have wildlife on my lawn, and one traffic light on my daily commute to work.

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