Suggestions in / around Scranton (York, Dunmore: transplants, houses, neighborhood)

[blip]

Hello, No shortage of NYC transplants, it seems.

My family and I are relocating to Scranton from NYC in a couple of weeks. We have relatives in the area, and wanted to be closer to them for a while. We chose West Side as it seems like one of the most walkable parts of town, has lots of nice old houses, and is pretty central to lots of other things.

Anyhow, we do know a good bit about the area, but would love to hear some suggestions on the following, in West Side or beyond:

* Good parks / playgrounds for babies/toddlers.
Have been to Nay Aug, but wondering if there are any other more local playgrounds. Maybe kids mostly play in their yards? It would be nice to find other local parents w/ kids the same age.

* Restaurants with veggie options.
Have been to Amber Indian, and loads of Italian places, but don't know much else.

* Info on farmers markets or other places to buy local and/or organic produce.

* Good outdoorsy stuff to do: hiking, biking, canoing, etc.
Friends from NYC think we're moving to the country, and want to do outdoorsy stuff if they visit.


Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[SteelCityRising]

Hello!

First of all, I'd like to welcome you in advance to Northeastern Pennsylvania. Scranton will be a nice change of pace from NYC for sure. Yes, it's inarguably going to be more laid-back than what you're accustomed to, but on the same token it's still "urban" enough so that you won't get overwhelmed with a culture shock.

• We don't have Broadway, but we have off-Broadway shows.
• We don't have Central Park, but we have the Pocono and Endless Mountains at our doorsteps.
• We don't have a Hard Rock Cafe, but we have hundreds of independent small restuarants.
• We don't have Sex and the City, Friends, Seinfeld, etc., but we do have The Office.
• We don't have a major symphonic orchestra, but we do have the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic.
• We don't have the MLB Yankees, but we have the minor-league Yankees.
• We don't have the NHL Penguins, but we have the minor-league Penguins.
• We don't have the Jets or Giants, but we have the arena football Pioneers.

Essentially I'm just trying to show you that we have nearly everything that New York City does, only on a smaller and more amateurish scale.

As far as addressing your specific inquiries are concerned:

1. City Parks: West Side is home to McDade Park, a park that is on the same level, in my opinion, as Nay Aug Park. McDade Park is home to playgrounds, open space, trails, the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour and Anthracite Heritage Museum, etc. There are also small playgrounds/parks along Jackson Street and Dorothy Street. A new elementary school is planned for the end of Dorothy Street, where more recreational space may be coming as well.
2. Vegetarian Options: There aren't many vegetarian options in and around the city. Everything Natural is a very popular organics and natural foods store in Clarks Summit that would probably have more resources available for you. I believe there is also a vegetarian restaurant downtown, but I can't recall its name.
3. Agriculture: There's a wonderful farmers' market just off Providence Road (near Scranton High School).
4. Natural Recreation: Where do I even begin?! There's simply too much for me to list. You'll want to check out Lackawanna State Park, which is about 20-25 minutes north of you in the Waverly area. Ricketts Glen State Park, which is west of Dallas, in Luzerne County, features a lengthy trail that follows a system of waterfalls. Member weluvpa canoes (kayaks?) on the Lackawanna River, so that is also an option. I love running around Lake Scranton for exercise. The Lehigh River near Jim Thorpe, about an hour southeast of you via I-476, offers some excellent white water rafting opportunities.

If there's anything else we can do to help, please let us know. Welcome to Scranton.

[MermanMike]

I was just sitting at a table with a bunch of vegetarians talking about how we need a good veg restaurant. It is a niche that has really not been filled in NEPA. I don't know of any in Scranton, although I don't spend much time there, so maybe there is one I haven't heard about. I'll be interested to hear anyone else chime in on this topic in case there is anywhere I haven't discovered.
Welcome to NEPA!

[blip]

Thanks for the welcome, SWB!

Yes, looking forward to the change of pace & space. I'm sure there will be things I miss after many years in NYC, but I'm focused on the positives. I grew up in a small northeastern city (Wilmington), so I think I can get re-accustomed to small-city life. And the Martz bus is nearby for a New York fix now and then.

Thank you for all the info-- scoping all this stuff out on the map..

[blip]

Thanks for the welcome, Mike! I just realized I probably should have titled the thread *Green* Suggestions..., as everything I asked is green-ish in nature.

Anyhow, hope to hear others chiming in on the vegetarian front, too.

[bloominscranton]

From one transplant to another a big WELCOME...I hail from L.I. but close enough eh? I love this city...the pace is the best thing I ever did for myself and my 7 year old son. Just watch out for potholes when you are driving they are truly one thing here that is eqaul or better than NYC! LOL

This is not an outdoorsy suggestion, but I recommend going the library as soon as you relocate and get on their e-mail list. They are a wealth of information on happenings...if you have kids they have a lot of activities gear for children at the Masonic Temple (which btw has awesome architecture.

Good luck on your relocation and again welcome!

[Georgia to Northeast PA]

Hi, I am relocating from Georgia would like to be close as possible to the action. Would like to hear about Clark Summit because I was told it was a good place to be. Would like to be 10/15 min from Scranton. Husband has job offer at University and we are very excited. I am so glad I found this cite because everyone seems so helpful. I would appreciate any help.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by blip

Hello, No shortage of NYC transplants, it seems.

My family and I are relocating to Scranton from NYC in a couple of weeks. We have relatives in the area, and wanted to be closer to them for a while. We chose West Side as it seems like one of the most walkable parts of town, has lots of nice old houses, and is pretty central to lots of other things.

Anyhow, we do know a good bit about the area, but would love to hear some suggestions on the following, in West Side or beyond:

* Good parks / playgrounds for babies/toddlers.
Have been to Nay Aug, but wondering if there are any other more local playgrounds. Maybe kids mostly play in their yards? It would be nice to find other local parents w/ kids the same age.

* Restaurants with veggie options.
Have been to Amber Indian, and loads of Italian places, but don't know much else.

* Info on farmers markets or other places to buy local and/or organic produce.

* Good outdoorsy stuff to do: hiking, biking, canoing, etc.
Friends from NYC think we're moving to the country, and want to do outdoorsy stuff if they visit.


Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Playgrounds in West Side...a good one would be the Tripp Park playground on Dorothy Street, it has a section specifically for ages 2-5, and is a very well-maintained park, since the people in the neighborhood do a lot to keep it cleaned up. McDade park is also one of our favorites....very clean well-maintained county-owned park off of Keyser Ave near the Scranton/Taylor border with playgrounds, an underground coal mine tour and a mining museum, a pond that many parents take their kids fishing, a public swimming pool, picnic areas, etc.

Vegetarian restaurants, can't help you there, I'm more of a carnivore.

Farmers market...there is a farmers market in Scranton in the summer and fall months near off of Providence Road near Weston Field.

Plenty of hiking and outdoorsy stuff around here. Tons in the Poconos. My favorite spot for that would be Ricketts Glen State Park in Luzerne County...great hiking trail with a number of waterfalls. People canoe/kayak the Lackawanna River, talk to forum member weluvpa for info on that.

[Retired Law 08]

Originally Posted by Georgia to Northeast PA

Hi, I am relocating from Georgia would like to be close as possible to the action. Would like to hear about Clark Summit because I was told it was a good place to be. Would like to be 10/15 min from Scranton. Husband has job offer at University and we are very excited. I am so glad I found this cite because everyone seems so helpful. I would appreciate any help.

Hello Georgia
Clarks Summit is a very nice area. It is approx. 8 miles to Scranton, homes range from approx. 200k to 300+, taxes 2k to 4k+ very safe,nice,friendly area.
I have a home here for 2 years and love it,It is a mix of rural, and city. Lots of restaurants,stores,The people here that I have dealt with are very friendly
and civil.Feel free if you need info and specific questions,Everyone on this site is very helpful,They really are a great bunch of people!

[Georgia to Northeast PA]

Thanks so much for the vote of confidence in Clark Summit not knowing the area it really helps to get the inside scoop. Any other areas that are nearby 10-15 min from Scranton/Dunmore we should look too?