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Ryan Cook housing

Studio apartments in Lackawanna -options?

Hey everyone, Poverty rate is 16.9%, which is higher than I expected.
3 upvotes

15 Replies

Aaron T.
100%
39 upvotes
native_isabella67
I work in hospitality here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Kinsley Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Old Town and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
31 upvotes
Paisley
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mexican places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
30 upvotes
Sadie Sanders
I've lived in Midtown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The dating scene scene is average

The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Carson
as a local I can confirm
24 upvotes
Violet Cook
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
24 upvotes
Everly
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in West area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Piper A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.

I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.

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

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Henry
I'm a lawyer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Aria
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
12 upvotes
Nevaeh Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
10 upvotes
Victoria Evans
accurate
9 upvotes
Cora
glad someone said it
7 upvotes
Eva W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Cedar Grove for 10 years. Moved from Houston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
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