Median household income is $49,531, which feels on the lower side for the area. With a population of 76,074, Scranton is a smaller city. Rent is about $991/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thanks for reading. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
18 upvotes
19 Replies
Nathan Nelson
100%
30 upvotes
columbusheart2024
I've lived in East for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Valentina
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Jonathan Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are excellent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
loving_victoria5
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Madeline H.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
24 upvotes
Sofia Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 12 years. Moved from San Diego for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are solid. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Declan L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Francisco about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Roman C.
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to food scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Ezekiel Gonzalez
this is the way
15 upvotes
Mason S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Aria Stewart
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
oliver_soul
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
8 upvotes
Daniel Kelly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Caroline R.
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Julia M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Isabelle Walker
big facts right here
2 upvotes
Roman Campbell
Moved here from Miami about 4 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to traffic but Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
cincy_evan
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Meadowbrook area are excellent. Kids love it here.
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