Hi all, Poverty rate is 5.9%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Swoyersville sits at 119.6 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 5,014 people. Median household income is $67,558, which feels about average for the area. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Gabriella Hernandez
Used to live on the North side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
38 upvotes
Leo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Old Town and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
33 upvotes
loving_mia60
Bought a house here in 2022 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
Adam Jackson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
minneapoliswalker2026
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Autumn Lopez
seconding this
24 upvotes
chicago_wesley
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
21 upvotes
Anna Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Willow Foster
Used to live on the South side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
11 upvotes
Brielle Castillo
yep
10 upvotes
Santiago Brown
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
9 upvotes
Landon R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
9 upvotes
Natalie Rodriguez
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great BBQ places. it was the best decision I ever made.
8 upvotes
Karen M.
Totally agree!
7 upvotes
Christine L.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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