Rentals in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Area

[Wells5]

Originally Posted by sabryan

Thanks everyone. Are all the mentioned areas safe? Yes, a garage would be ideal :-) I will forward all the info to my nephew along with the link so he can stay updated in case anyone posts any new info. Really appreciate the help!

Not sure how accurate the linked crime map is but there are sections of Wilkes-Barre where crime is above average but not on par with your bigger urban areas. WB used to be a very safe city but the demographics have changed in the last 30 years with the spillover from greater NYC and Philly.

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
The west side communities will be safer and the back mountain region the safest but most expensive.

[sabryan]

Originally Posted by Wells5

Not sure how accurate the linked crime map is but there are sections of Wilkes-Barre where crime is above average but not on par with your bigger urban areas. WB used to be a very safe city but the demographics have changed in the last 30 years with the spillover from greater NYC and Philly.

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

The west side communities will be safer and the back mountain region the safest but most expensive.

Thanks Wells5. I've forwarded the links and info to my nephew. Appreciate all the info.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by Wells5

Not sure how accurate the linked crime map is but there are sections of Wilkes-Barre where crime is above average but not on par with your bigger urban areas. WB used to be a very safe city but the demographics have changed in the last 30 years with the spillover from greater NYC and Philly.
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

The west side communities will be safer and the back mountain region the safest but most expensive.

That map is a bit deceiving. My mother lived in a light blue area for years and never had any problems with crime.

I don't think the Back Mountain area is a good idea. Rt. 309 from Luzerne to Dallas can be a traffic nightmare. Also, the area between Luzerne and Trucksville can be icy in the winter.

[sabryan]

Once again, thanks everyone. Love the helpfulness of this site.

Another question about areas: any feedback on the Wyoming, Pittston, Avoca, Moosic, Old Forge areas? Seems like nicer rental properties in those areas but not sure about neighborhoods and commute, especially during the winter.

[Wells5]

Originally Posted by sabryan

Once again, thanks everyone. Love the helpfulness of this site.

Another question about areas: any feedback on the Wyoming, Pittston, Avoca, Moosic, Old Forge areas? Seems like nicer rental properties in those areas but not sure about neighborhoods and commute, especially during the winter.

Avoca, Moosic and Old Forge are suburbs of Scranton. Commute time will be about 45 minutes on a good day. Downtowns are shabby. Old Forge is best known for pizza. Pittston has undergone a revival but West Pittston across the river is a better location. Wyoming is OK but next door Forty-Fort is better. I neglected to mention Forty-Fort before because it's a little more upscale than the other west side communities (Kingston excepted) and rentals are a bit more expensive.

[Chefkey]

Forty Fort is nice and you can hop on the 309 expressway near there and be to the VA in no time. Don't bother with any area north of that, you'll regret the traffic and south of Forty Fort can also be very traffic heavy. The only way to get to the VA would be either down Market and across the bridge through Wilkes Barre or through Forty Fort to the 309 expressway. You could also do areas like Ashley or Nanticoke which are easily accessible off of 29 which connects easily to 81. Only risk there being that 81 can back up during road work or an accident. That's the same reason I would say avoid going North to live because the only road getting you to the VA is 81 from there and all bets are off that you will always have an easy ride. Plus that whole area is geographically locked by the Susquehanna river on the West and 81 to the East. Just a traffic nightmare getting in and out of that section everyday.

[auntieannie68]

parts of old forge,moosic and minooka are fine and 315 and 11 are decent alternates routes---used it myself when i worked at va traffic not so bad but then heavy traffic for me was what i encountered in orlando