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vegas_caroline
moving
Is Scranton worth moving to in 2026?
Anyone else feel this way? Household incomes average around $49,531 in Scranton. Would love some local perspective.
24 upvotes
21 Replies
Asher M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is challenging in most areas.
40 upvotes
Joseph C.
I've lived in West for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Olivia Bailey
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
David W.
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
Aiden R.
same here
36 upvotes
cincyrunner2021
Moved here from San Diego about 10 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to traffic but Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Luca Kim
Totally agree!
33 upvotes
Colton M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Xavier Bennett
Bought a house here in 2015 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Gianna Torres
This.
30 upvotes
Austin Torres
seconding this
27 upvotes
Grace Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Henry Anderson
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Aubrey
This.
20 upvotes
Kai Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 14 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Midtown for 14 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Cora Kim
same here
16 upvotes
Lucy M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
raised_natalie24
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Old Town area are challenging. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Weston M.
This.
11 upvotes
Helen G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is average in most areas.
10 upvotes
Lydia G.
nah I disagree
1 upvotes