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Sebastian best-worst

What surprised you most about Hazleton?

Hi all, Just moved here 2 months ago and Poverty rate is 24.1%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a smaller city city with about 29,886 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Hazleton sits at 475.6 per 100K. Household incomes average around $43,379 in Hazleton. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to.

Pros:
- Great weather
- Friendly people
- Strong sense of community

Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Rising rent prices
- High property taxes
- Poor road conditions
- Far from major airports
Cheers. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to.
30 upvotes

12 Replies

Kayla L.
yep
39 upvotes
Robert Evans
Came here for work and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Adrian Hall
interesting, hadn't considered that
27 upvotes
Rylee Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a social worker who relocated here from Minneapolis about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure

Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown

Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.

Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Nova James
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Paisley Cooper
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Chloe B.
it depends on the neighborhood
18 upvotes
William S.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's excellent.
16 upvotes
Matthew Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a data analyst, 34, moved here 4 years ago from Miami. I've lived in South and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
15 upvotes
Grace Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.

I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is improving.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Jordan Brown
preach
3 upvotes
Serenity Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
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