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I dunno about which one I prefer, but Scranton is in better shape overall, and has a more positive outlook.
Scranton has bottomed out in terms of its population decline. Although it lost nearly half of its population, dropping from 143,000 to 77,000, the decline slowed in the 2000s down to 0.4%, and the city is projected to gain population this decade. This is almost certainly due to the same dynamic that have stopped population declines Allentown, the Poconos, and Hazleton - Latinos moving from NYC. Back in 2010 Scranton didn't yet have any majority-Latino neighborhoods, but I'm guessing it will come 2020 on its South Side.
In contrast, Youngstown's population decline was still in double-digits in terms of percentage in the 2000s, and although it's slowed down, it's still losing today.
Another aspect is blight. For a city that lost nearly half it's population, Scranton really doesn't have much in the way of what you'd call blight. Seriously - take a google satellite view tour around the residential neighborhoods of Scranton and Youngstown, and you will see a big difference. Scranton has a couple neighborhoods with scattered empty lots, but you won't find any residential neighborhood which has 50%+ vacant lots.
I also think University of Scranton is better tied into the urban fabric of the city than Youngstown State is for Youngstown. The lack of any highways definitely helps. Plus Scranton has a second private college (Lackawanna College) on the northern fringe of its downtown, along with a small med school.
That said, Scranton has its challenges. I certainly don't expect it will become a "hip" area any time soon. Still, it's basically a stable small city, whereas Youngstown is far from stabilized.
I'm curious: What is it about these PA cities that attracts Latinos out of NYC? Are there new or expanded industries that promise better jobs?
I'm curious: What is it about these PA cities that attracts Latinos out of NYC? Are there new or expanded industries that promise better jobs?
Cheap housing, presence of at least okay bus transit, and a relatively quick commute back to family in NYC as needed. They mostly work low-wage entry-level jobs in things like food service and healthcare. The pay isn't much lower than in NYC, but with the COL being so much lower they really end up with a better standard of living.
A lot of people are moving directly from Puerto Rico to these cities as well now, but usually it's because they have family in the area already who came by way of NYC.
Both are overlooked post industrial cities with their share of issues. But I also feel like both have a lot of good to build on too. I haven't lived in either, but would be interested to hear from people who have. Where would you rather live? Which has a brighter future? Why?
1. Scranton
2. Scranton
3. Because Youngstown is hell on earth...though I still love my hometown
Cheap housing, presence of at least okay bus transit, and a relatively quick commute back to family in NYC as needed. They mostly work low-wage entry-level jobs in things like food service and healthcare. The pay isn't much lower than in NYC, but with the COL being so much lower they really end up with a better standard of living.
A lot of people are moving directly from Puerto Rico to these cities as well now, but usually it's because they have family in the area already who came by way of NYC.
But remember Pam and Jim were going to drive to Youngstown to get married but decided against it.
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