Hey everyone, I'm retired and The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 76,074 people. The median home value here is around $141,700, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $49,531 in Scranton. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Should I be concerned? TIA! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
austinlife2021
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
37 upvotes
Isla A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Luca Martin
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
31 upvotes
Declan Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Xavier Hernandez
hard disagree but ok
30 upvotes
Austin R.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Kinsley F.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Pittsburgh it's challenging.
29 upvotes
Adeline Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 46, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Diverse dining options
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
19 upvotes
Ella Bailey
facts
18 upvotes
Julia Hughes
Moved here last year, no regrets.
18 upvotes
Everett G.
yep
15 upvotes
Aurora G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
11 upvotes
Kayden Nelson
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
5 upvotes
Joseph J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Portland about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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