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Northeastern Pennsylvania Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pocono area
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Old 03-02-2009, 12:46 PM
 
Location: Bethpage, NY
4 posts, read 7,364 times
Reputation: 10

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I have been considering moving to the Scranton area from Long Island. We are looking for an area that will be more affordable to buy a home and raise a family. We are used to living in major suburbia and do not want to gove up all the convience. I have a son who is almost 2 and some money in savings and was thinking of buying in the area. What area would be best to settle in? And within the area what blocks, etc? I am a first time buyer and it took a while to save up a down payment so I do not want to make a big mistake. There is almost too much info online and some seem complaint heavy, but I think that people who have gripes speak up more than people who are happy. You guys seem happy to help with honest opinions and I sure would appreciate the input.
Thanks!
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Old 03-02-2009, 09:12 PM
 
Location: Marshall-Shadeland, Pittsburgh, PA
32,636 posts, read 77,880,068 times
Reputation: 19129
Hello Amanda!

We'd all love to help you the best that we can, but can we please have some more specifics as to what your "ideal" environment would be? "Being close to conveniences" really isn't detailed enough for us to steer you into the right direction. Within fifteen minutes of Scranton (or Wilkes-Barre) you can have urban living, suburban living, OR rural living at your fingertips---what types of folks are you?

The strongest home value appreciation (along with arguably the highest property taxes) would be in the upper-middle-class and higher-performing suburban public school districts:

Abington Heights (Clarks Summit)
Crestwood (Mountain Top)
Dallas (Back Mountain)
North Pocono (Moscow/Mt. Cobb)

Enjoy the snow!
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Old 03-02-2009, 10:55 PM
 
1,429 posts, read 3,654,256 times
Reputation: 574
I really think you may need to spend a couple days in the area to figure out exactly what you want - there are plenty of smaller towns and boroughs surrounding Scranton that are still near conveniences.

I know the mods do not want us posting direct links to homes for sale, but I think I can post a general link to a MLS site scroll down and click MLS search on the left. If you post addresses, we can tell you how the areas are.

Last edited by Retired Law 08; 03-03-2009 at 08:31 AM.. Reason: mls links to realtors not allowed..give info by DM....
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Old 03-03-2009, 07:57 AM
 
Location: NE PA
7,931 posts, read 15,878,658 times
Reputation: 4426
Also, there are really no BAD schools in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. Don't believe the myths that you have to live in Abington Heights, Crestwood, etc, in order for your kids to have a good education. Your kids will get a good education in pretty much any area school.
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Old 03-03-2009, 10:59 AM
 
Location: Bethpage, NY
4 posts, read 7,364 times
Reputation: 10
ScranBarre- Thank you for the names I will start looking there....As for the SNOW, we enjoyed looking out the window and playing with my son, but are still digging out the car that was plowed in...

I do not want to move where I will always be buried in but I do want seasons

I do not think that we are rural people, urban or suburban would be more accurate. We are from Nassau County NY which is major suburbs of NYC. Town populations of 30,000 and up, shopping, things open 24 hours and lots of parks and activities for the kiddies. I have some family near State College but most of our family is on Long Island and we want to be within a day trip of everyone. My husband is a huge Yankees fan so having baseball so close has been a selling point for him, and I love the history and culture in the area. The cost of living here is killing us (1500/mo for a 2 bedroom apartment) and we are feeling like we could not afford a home here where the 2 br starter house that needs work is 300k plus. My son deserves a room, a yard to play in, a safe neighborhood with other kids, good schools, great library, parks, etc.
We need an area where we can buy a home that value will appreciate and where there is economic stability (growth would probably be too much to ask). I will probably be visiting the area late spring and be looking to spend a few days to check out areas and employment prospects. I am a retail manager and he is a medical assistant. Our son is almost 2 years old.
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Old 03-03-2009, 11:18 AM
 
1,429 posts, read 3,654,256 times
Reputation: 574
Amanda, it sounds as though you may be a perfect fit for the area; NEPA has tons of retail, and Scranton is home to three hospitals and now a new medical school, not to mention all sorts of imaging and out patient centers scattered across the valley. Your husband could probably make upwards of 45-50k a year through medical staffing agencies, depending on skill level, and retail management maybe 25-35k.

A 1500/mo mortgage should NOT be a problem at all. That price range would get you a decent home most places in the valley, but be prepaired to pay extra for newer styles of homes, such as split levels or ranches. I would recommend something like a four-square, they are pretty plentiful in the area and will be a minimum of three bedrooms.

A couple places to look at would be the Arthur Ave. area of Scranton, which borders Nay Aug park and also CMC hospital, so technically your husband could walk to work. Just stay above Harrison Ave. and you'll be fine. Also East Mountain, which is a little more secluded with newer homes. For retail, Dickson City is a sure bet, and is only a short drive from Scranton.
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Old 03-03-2009, 11:34 AM
 
1,429 posts, read 3,654,256 times
Reputation: 574
I have to plug this house, it's one of my favorites. Go to the MLS link I gave above, and scrool down where you can search by street and address. Put in 1020 Richmont, and you'll get a listing for 164k. This would be well in your price range. Great looking home, in a really good neighborhood. The Mayor lives nearby. Definately worth a look.
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Old 03-03-2009, 11:58 AM
 
Location: Drama Central
4,083 posts, read 9,129,292 times
Reputation: 1893
Lets not forget to mention the 3.4% Scranton wage tax.
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Old 03-03-2009, 12:31 PM
 
Location: NE PA
7,931 posts, read 15,878,658 times
Reputation: 4426
Quote:
Originally Posted by weluvpa View Post
Lets not forget to mention the 3.4% Scranton wage tax.
The wage tax stinks, but the property taxes aren't that bad...especially now that we're getting a tax cut from the casino money. Scranton residents got the biggest property tax cut of any town in the county. My tax bill is less than $1,000/year now.
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Old 03-03-2009, 12:56 PM
 
1,429 posts, read 3,654,256 times
Reputation: 574
Eh, I'm not that happy with it, but you pay for convenience.
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