Thinking of moving to NE PA... advice please... (Philadelphia, Scranton: power lines, new house)

[GoingIndy]

johnp292, I think you laid it out perfectly in the order we're considering. Lehigh Valley seems to have everything we're looking for so far.

Wells5, NH sounds like a good idea. I'll check out and see what I find.

I think I can rule out Pike and Wayne County. They both seem to be very rural.

[NEPAhopeless31]

NEPA is a culturally deficient, politically corrupt, and economically depressed region filled with closed minded individuals who have never left the greater Lackawanna and Wyoming valleys. The weather also sucks. It lacks diversity and a willingness to change. However, don't be discouraged! There are a minority of towns in NEPA that can be considered some of the best places to raise families with the best schools. I'll name one for now: The Abingtons.

The Abingtons are by the far the most affluent in the region with the highest ranked school district, Abington Heights. It definitely has a soccer mom feel, driving around in a Town and Country or some cases a Range Rover . But you cannot beat the school quality and the various clubs, organizations, sports leagues offered to youth. Clark's Summit, PA is the main hub of the region. If you want more of a walkable neighborhood, walkable town feel, the borough of Clark's Summit is a great place to live. If you want more suburban sprawl with developments all over hilly terrain, then South Abington Township would be more ideal. If you want more of an old village, small town feel, the towns of Waverly and Dalton will fit your match. If you want to live in the middle of nowhere, Newton-Ransom and North Abington Township offer that. All of these are in Abington Heights. It is a fairly large district in the area. Most people that live there are working professionals and a high % have college degrees. Nepotism runs rampant in all schools in NEPA including Abington Heights; however, it is a much more suitable district for transplants.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by NEPAhopeless31

NEPA is a culturally deficient, politically corrupt, and economically depressed region filled with closed minded individuals who have never left the greater Lackawanna and Wyoming valleys. The weather also sucks. It lacks diversity and a willingness to change. However, don't be discouraged! There are a minority of towns in NEPA that can be considered some of the best places to raise families with the best schools. I'll name one for now: The Abingtons.

The Abingtons are by the far the most affluent in the region with the highest ranked school district, Abington Heights. It definitely has a soccer mom feel, driving around in a Town and Country or some cases a Range Rover . But you cannot beat the school quality and the various clubs, organizations, sports leagues offered to youth. Clark's Summit, PA is the main hub of the region. If you want more of a walkable neighborhood, walkable town feel, the borough of Clark's Summit is a great place to live. If you want more suburban sprawl with developments all over hilly terrain, then South Abington Township would be more ideal. If you want more of an old village, small town feel, the towns of Waverly and Dalton will fit your match. If you want to live in the middle of nowhere, Newton-Ransom and North Abington Township offer that. All of these are in Abington Heights. It is a fairly large district in the area. Most people that live there are working professionals and a high % have college degrees. Nepotism runs rampant in all schools in NEPA including Abington Heights; however, it is a much more suitable district for transplants.

It all depends on what you are looking for. In Monroe County 'locals' are an endangered species. We have been replaced by transplants. Is there still corruption - of course; but some of that came with our new transplants. Change does happen slowly. We need people involved to affect change and sometimes that does not help. I fought, with many others, to keep gambling out of our area. It didn't do anything for Atlantic City and I don't expect it to do anything for us (except more crime and corrupt politicians).

That said: To the OP; I would stay away from our casinos. Unless they have you already hooked. Look at all the "help" they already provided to the Atlantic City area!

I still think that the Slate Belt should get some consideration. First, no casinos. Then you have quick access to I-80. You also have the whole ABE area for shopping/entertainment or the recreation of the Poconos. The only problem is that I don't know if anything that fits your needs is available? I would start off looking in the Portland, Mt. Bethel and Bangor areas.

Anyway, good luck!

PS OP, if you use Google Earth, you can quickly find driving distances to your family back home in LI. That way you can keep it in the back of your mind when you first think about making an offer.

[GoingIndy]

Thanks for the input NEPAhopeless31 and fisheye... we're not looking to move in as NYers, we're looking to move in and become Pennsylvanians. I can understand why some people don't like the idea of out-of-staters moving in and forcing their will on an area of people that grew up there. We just want to come and blend right in.

[NEPAhopeless31]

Originally Posted by fisheye

It all depends on what you are looking for. In Monroe County 'locals' are an endangered species. We have been replaced by transplants. Is there still corruption - of course; but some of that came with our new transplants. Change does happen slowly. We need people involved to affect change and sometimes that does not help. I fought, with many others, to keep gambling out of our area. It didn't do anything for Atlantic City and I don't expect it to do anything for us (except more crime and corrupt politicians).

That said: To the OP; I would stay away from our casinos. Unless they have you already hooked. Look at all the "help" they already provided to the Atlantic City area!

I still think that the Slate Belt should get some consideration. First, no casinos. Then you have quick access to I-80. You also have the whole ABE area for shopping/entertainment or the recreation of the Poconos. The only problem is that I don't know if anything that fits your needs is available? I would start off looking in the Portland, Mt. Bethel and Bangor areas.

Anyway, good luck!

PS OP, if you use Google Earth, you can quickly find driving distances to your family back home in LI. That way you can keep it in the back of your mind when you first think about making an offer.

I realize the Poconos has had a surge in transplants, which have been happening for quite some time. I was mostly referring to the immediate Scranton/WB metro area, which is overwhelmingly white and homogenous in terms of culture. A very provincial region with many long term residents. A minority of towns in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties are suitable for transplants if they want to blend in and feel welcomed. Nepotism runs wild from the school board to the county commissioners. Even highly ranked Abington Heights struggles with nepotism, although nowhere near as dirty and corrupt as schools like Mid Valley. If you are a transplant and value education and are very career focused, you will fit in the Abingtons regardless if you're a transplant. Having those same values in other NEPA school districts is frowned upon and you will feel like an outsider. Other school districts are much more blue collar and academics come second to football.

[NEPAhopeless31]

Originally Posted by GoingIndy

Thanks for the input NEPAhopeless31 and fisheye... we're not looking to move in as NYers, we're looking to move in and become Pennsylvanians. I can understand why some people don't like the idea of out-of-staters moving in and forcing their will on an area of people that grew up there. We just want to come and blend right in.

Don't try to conform to the local culture. Be you. Bring in some new ideas. It can be tough to break into social circles here though. You will need to be proactive in getting to know your neighbors and possibly getting involved with the PTA or school board. I can be applying to the same job you are with nowhere near the credentials you have, but I would be hired over you because I know people. It is sad how that works. But it's just the way it is in NEPA.

[GoingIndy]

How's the city of Easton?

I also have my Masters in School Counseling but a lot of the schools are cutting staff these days unfortunately for me.

[NJexpat]

Originally Posted by johnp292

... Poconos. Generally to be avoided. Stay out of Monroe County entirely. Wayne County and upper Pike County might be better, but somewhat remote. Also check school districts very carefully.

I agree with your comments on Monroe County - avoid it! Northern part of Pike and most of Wayne County are actually very nice. The key to living here (I'm in Pike) is a private community. That way, you get most of the benefits of the more densely populated areas but still have the peace and quiet of a rural area.

Take a long look at Pike County.

[Gettingouttahere]

City of Easton has one area that you might like: College Hill. It's where Lafayette College is located; populated with tons of college professors and professionals who commute to NYC by bus, and the housing stock is mostly old rambling restored Victorians and the like. Very very unique and pleasing to the eye, and the community has taken great care of the area.

However, it is surrounded by a pretty depressed city that seems to try really hard to attract business and families, but doesn't quite succeed. Its public schools are pretty bad.

You should really be posting in the Lehigh Valley forum, though.

FWIW, I highly recommend the Lehigh Valley over Monroe. There are several top-notch public school districts there (Easton is not one of them) and several areas where your budget will go a long way. School taxes are generally lower there than Monroe, also.

I don't recommend the Clarks Summit area, though I'll admit I haven't lived there. My MIL lives north of there, in the Tunckhannock area, and we drive there a lot. The different in weather (colder and snowier) up "on the plateau" can be huge. If you want to go back to L.I. in the winter, that could affect your plans. The Lehigh Valley is generally about 5 degrees warmer than Monroe (which is 5 degrees warmer than Scranton/WB/Clarks Summit). That can mean the difference between a foot of snow and flurries. Huge, huge difference in overall winter weather.

[jimazee]

Originally Posted by Gettingouttahere

City of Easton has one area that you might like: College Hill. It's where Lafayette College is located; populated with tons of college professors and professionals who commute to NYC by bus, and the housing stock is mostly old rambling restored Victorians and the like. Very very unique and pleasing to the eye, and the community has taken great care of the area.

However, it is surrounded by a pretty depressed city that seems to try really hard to attract business and families, but doesn't quite succeed. Its public schools are pretty bad.

You should really be posting in the Lehigh Valley forum, though.

FWIW, I highly recommend the Lehigh Valley over Monroe. There are several top-notch public school districts there (Easton is not one of them) and several areas where your budget will go a long way. School taxes are generally lower there than Monroe, also.

I don't recommend the Clarks Summit area, though I'll admit I haven't lived there. My MIL lives north of there, in the Tunckhannock area, and we drive there a lot. The different in weather (colder and snowier) up "on the plateau" can be huge. If you want to go back to L.I. in the winter, that could affect your plans. The Lehigh Valley is generally about 5 degrees warmer than Monroe (which is 5 degrees warmer than Scranton/WB/Clarks Summit). That can mean the difference between a foot of snow and flurries. Huge, huge difference in overall winter weather.

(Especially for those who haven't lived somewhere...) the Internet helps with some facts. This is a nice little site/tool. Select the weather element (and places) you want to compare such as average/record high, low, and precipitation. Have funnn.

Comparison for Clarks Summit and Easton , PA - weather.com