Nice neighborhoods in and around Scranton area (Dunmore, Carbondale: cul-de-sac, for sale)

[wendyf]

My husband is looking at a job in Carbondale. We visited this weekend and passed through Honesdale, Mt. Cobb, Lake Ariel and Hawley. Nice, but kind of quiet towns. Anything to the left of the Scranton area that's within reasonable driving distance to Carbondale? (under 30 mins).

We're looking for a nice town that has family neighborhoods, shopping, "night life" or city life within a reasonable distance. (kids are under 6). We'd be looking at newer houses or even newer construction. Price range would be $350K or lower. We're coming from Massachusetts and looking forward to some scenery.

Thanks

[SteelCityRising]

Hello again, Wendy! ;o) While I'm not exactly the biggest fan of "frou frou, cul-de-sac, keeping up with the Jones's, blah" living, I'd still happily recommend "The Abingtons" to you for a potential relocation spot. Much of the county's newer construction is located in this region, and the Abington Heights School District is in the state's top tier for academic performance, with great gifted, arts, music, and AP programs. Clarks Summit, the "hub" of "The Abingtons", has a charming "downtown" area with chic boutiques lining State Street (Talbots, Bennetton, Sole to Sole footwear, Everything Natural organic market, Wonders of the World gifts, etc.) The town itself is very hilly and "leafy", and the entire "Abington" area is quite secure.

From the Abingtons, you could easily hop onto I-81 North and get off at the Scott or Fleetville exits to access Carbondale, for a commute of about 25 minutes on mostly quiet country roads. South Abington is home to "Chinchilla", where dozens of businesses, ranging from national chains such as Bennigan's, Ramada Inn, Friendly's, etc. to local favorites such as Krispy Kreme, My Mother's Delicacies, and Kyoto, are located. It's also in South Abington where you'll find dozens of those sterile, drab "Desperate Housewives" subdivisions, where the biggest news is which doctor's wife is sleeping with whose gardener. LOL!

Overall, the Abingtons are a good bet for children, with many recreational areas nearby and the top tier Abington Heights School District, but the downsides include beautiful scenery that is gradually evaporating with each new housing permit issued, increasing traffic concerns on Routes 6 and 11, and just an overall air of "snootiness" expressed by the locals, many of whom belong to yacht clubs, croquet leagues, have Porsche collections, etc. "The Abingtons" are definitely a "tonier" suburban area of Scranton, which is within a fifteen minute drive from most subdivisions. You can indeed still find a newer home here on a cul-de-sac for less than $350,000 if this area sounds appealing to you (Just please don't get caught up in the "rat race" up there!)

Another town I'd recommend is Dunmore. Definitely look into the "Hollywood" neighborhood, near to Marywood University and the Scranton city limits. You won't find new construction here, but you'll instead find grand Victorian, colonial, and Greek Revival homes along tree-lined streets for about the same price that you'd pay for a new home in a development. "Hollywood" offers urban convenience (ten minutes to center city) with a suburban feel. You'll also only be about twenty to twenty-five minutes to Carbondale via the Casey Highway (Route 6).

Finally, you may also want to check into Scott and Greenfield Townships, (Chapman Lake, Fleetville, Justus, etc.) two currently "rural" areas between Clarks Summit and Carbondale that offer convenience to Scranton while still not being "suburbanized" as of yet. I can foresee major growth spilling into this area in the upcoming years, so if you're looking for a great return on your property investment (perhaps relocating here now and then selling to buy that dream Florida condo for retirement), then these two townships may fit the bill. As "The Abingtons" continue to overdevelop themselves, these two townships are the next logical areas for new construction.

Hope this helps!

[Crazy4FlatCoats]

interesting..

[Riverside4ever]

Why would you wanna build a new home in a already distressed area ? Not only that But Scranton is and will be in the red for some time .. Why not rent a place and in a few years when hubbys company downsizes or moves outta the area your not on the hook for the new house and suddenly broke ..

oh and BTW with a house with that price ,, as soon as you move in it it'll be under water ..

[Crazy4FlatCoats]

Wow You didn't look at the date this thread actually started!

[Trucker7]

[toobusytoday]

The last time the OP posted on city-data was in 2008 and she was on the Mass. forum.

[Slopez20007]

What is Monsey Avenue like in Scranton PA ? Looking to move to Scranton and see many properties for sale. What neighborhood is Monsey ave in?

[weluvpa]

Is there a particular reason your looking to move to Scranton?

There are many properties in the city for sale, mainly because people are fleeing the city like lemmings...

[Slopez20007]

I actually am not sure what part I would like to move, but we are interested in PA in general. Any recommendations? What neighborhoods are good for a family with a 4 and 5 year old?