Apartment Rentals
Q: Can you give me some cost estimates for renting an apartment in your area?

A: Unfurnished, one-bed, one-bath apartments (750 to 900 square feet) in suburban apartment complexes are typically offered for between $500 and $800 per month.

Unfurnished, two-bed, one-bath apartments (850 to 1,150 square feet) in suburban complexes are offered from $600 to $900 per month.

These rents often include water, sewer, trash removal and pest control and sometimes include heat and cable TV.

Many locals choose apartments in large, older homes in safe, established neighborhoods, where rents often fall into the $375 to $500 per month range.

For more information on apartments in Northeastern PA click here.

Child Care
Q: What does child care cost in Northeastern Pennsylvania?

A: The average weekly per child costs in local child care (daycare) centers are as follows: Infant - $140; Toddler - $130; Pre-Schooler - $105. For more information, connect to the Chamber's Business Directory and search for Child Care Agency.

Driver's License
Q: I'm moving to Pennsylvania from another state. What do I have to do to transfer my driver's license?

A: If you move to Pennsylvania, you will have to pass written and vision tests to transfer your license, but you will not have to take a driving test. For more information visit the Pennsylvania
Department of Motor Vehicles web site.

Food Names
Q: I have been told that you have some really weird foods in Northeastern PA. For example, what is a hoagie? A pierogie? A halluski?

A: Weird? How about "culturally fascinating?"

A hoagie? That's simple. You probably refer to it as either a "hero sandwich" or a "submarine."

A pierogie is a small pocket of dough (flour + egg + salt + water) that's usually filled with some combination of the following ingredients: potato and cheese, potato and onion, or sauerkraut and mushrooms, then boiled or steamed.

A halushki is a mixture of noodles, cabbage, butter, salt, and pepper that's sometimes sautéed in (get ready to call your cardiologist) bacon grease. Served warm of course.

If you'd like the recipe for these and other culturally fascinating foods, such as bleenies, boilo, flitch, halupkies, and paska, please click here.

Housing
Q: Can you please give me some idea of what it costs to buy or build a home in Northeastern Pennsylvania?

A: That of course depends upon several factors such as size, style and number of bedrooms. For example, it is still possible to buy a nice home in Greater Scranton for less than $100,000. Such a home would likely be at least 50 years old, have two or three bedrooms, and be located on a modest-size lot. Some fairly modern ranch homes can also be found for less than $100,000.

Newer two to three bedroom bi-levels and split-levels in suburban locations are typically priced between $125,000 and $175,000.

Modern (15 years old or less), four-bedroom homes, on fairly large lots in suburban developments, are offered for sale for an average price of $230,000. The approximate price range for most homes in this category is $175,000 to $275,000. Total monthly operating costs for this type of home, including real estate taxes, gas heat, electricity, phone, cable TV, water, insurance, sewer, and removal of trash, will likely range from $575 to $625.

Large, executive level homes often exceed $300,000 when offered for sale.

The average, per square foot construction cost for a new home here is approximately $70, excluding the lot. The average cost to purchase a 1/2 acre lot in a modern subdivision with all utility services is approximately $40,000. Therefore, someone interested in constructing a 2,500 square foot home in a residential subdivision here can expect a total project cost of approximately $215,000.

For more information about housing and to search for a local residential real estate broker or builder, please click here.

Relocation Packet
Q: My family and I are relocating to Northeastern Pennsylvania. How can I get a packet of information?

A: Just click here (link to email for our receptionist) and send us an email or call our Chamber at 570-342-7711. We'll be glad to mail a packet out to you right away.

Schools (Higher Education)
Q: Where can I find details about colleges and universities in your area?

A: Just click here to find links to the 14 colleges, universities and technical schools that serve the Greater Scranton area.

Schools (K-12)
Q: Where can I find detailed information on the public and parochial schools in your area?

A: Just click here and you'll find lots of great information.

Starting a Business
Q: I just invented a really cool gizmo in my garage. How can I get help starting a new business?

A: You're in luck. Our Chamber's Small Business Committee can send you some very informative literature about available financing, permitting, licensing, etc... just click here to send us an email or call 570-342-7711 and ask to be connected to our Small Business Department. Our staff will also be pleased to meet with you in person and give you tips on turning that cool gizmo into profits.

Another really great resource is the Small Business Development Center at the University of Scranton. Click here to send the SBDC an email or call 570-941-7770 to set an appointment.

Payroll
Q: How do I implement a payroll for my company?

A: For assistance, contact a Chamber member from our online Business directory. Interpay, a member of the Chamber, assists companies in eliminating the tax risks associated with processing payroll, by taking on that responsibility for them. Interpay compliments their payroll processing programs with value added benefits like Exactpay workman's compensation, retirement plans, section 125 cafeteria plans, and more.

Taxes (local income)
Q: Do local municipalities levy an earned income ("wage") tax?

A: Yes. The amount an individual pays in local wage taxes is determined by his/her place of residence. This tax is imposed upon salaries, wages, commissions, and other compensation earned by individuals and upon net profits earned from all business and other activities relating to earned income. Wage taxes are limited to 1% of total compensation (0.5% to the municipality and 0.5% to the school district) in all Lackawanna County communities except the City of Scranton and the City of Carbondale. Scrantonians pay a 3.4% wage tax (2.4% to the city and 1% to the school district) and residents of Carbondale pay 1.75%.

Taxes (real estate)
Q: What can I expect to pay in annual real estate taxes on a home in Northeastern Pennsylvania?

A: The amount you pay in annual real estate taxes will of course vary depending on the size, condition and purchase price of the home, as well as, the municipality where the home is located. The following ranges will give you a rough idea of the amounts you can expect to pay:

• $750 to $1,500 - older home, probably located on small lot in established neighborhood.
• $1,500 to $2,500 - newer split-level, bi-level or large ranch, probably on decent-size lot (1/4 to 1/2 acre)
• $2,500 to $4,000 - modern four-bedroom home (2,000 to 2,500 square feet) on 1/2 to 3/4 acre
• $4,000+ - executive level, large home on large suburban lot, 4+ bedrooms

Be advised that Lackawanna County has not undertaken a countywide reassessment since 1968. The County uses a "common-level ratio" formula to determine real estate tax assessments. Many area residents have appealed and been successful in lowering their initial real estate tax assessment after acquiring or building a new home.

Taxes (state income)
Q: What is Pennsylvania's personal income tax rate?

A: Pennsylvania has a 3.07% flat rate personal income tax that applies to eight classes of income including compensation, interest, dividends, capital gains, proprietorship, partnership, and Pennsylvania S business income. Credit against the tax is allowed for income paid to other states.

There are exemptions on retirement income and there are special provisions for low-income persons.

Taxes (state sales)
Q: What is Pennsylvania's sales tax rate?

A: Pennsylvania's sales tax rate is 6%. There are no local sales taxes. Pennsylvania offers personal sales tax exemptions for clothing, grocery food, pharmaceuticals, and other necessities.

Business exemptions are available for products purchased for resale, manufacturing, processing, farming, printing, research and development, mining, and public utilities.

Train Service to New York City
Q: Is it true that Scranton will soon have passenger train service to New York City?

A: Yes! If all goes well, by 2010 you'll be able to board a passenger train in Downtown Scranton and ride to Hoboken, New Jersey. From there, you can transfer to the PATH train to get to Manhattan. The train will have stops in Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono, PA and Dover, Andover, and Blairstown, New Jersey. Total project cost is expected to range from $160 million to $200 million.

Weather
Q: Is it true that you get, like, 50 feet of snow every winter?

A: We're not sure. Our measuring sticks only go to 40 feet!

Actually, we average about 50 inches of snow each year, which is comparable to many other cities in the Mid-Atlantic region. When it snows, we either ski on it or plow it out of the way. No big deal.

Overall, our weather is very pleasant. In Scranton, a hot summer day means 90 degrees and we rarely face the oppressive humidity found in many big cities. Our summer evenings are often cool with a nice breeze. Air conditioners are optional here. They are not an absolute necessity.

Spring and autumn are comfortable. The average high temperature in April is 58 degrees. October's average high is 61 degrees. Our fall foliage from early to late October is absolutely spectacular.

For more weather info click here.