Blakely offers quiet living along the Lackawanna River
Blakely offers small-town living in the Scranton suburbs, tucked away along the western bank of the Lackawanna River. It’s also home to the village of Peckville, known for its low-key downtown district, and several residential neighborhoods that fan out along the borough’s low hillsides. It’s rounded out by a handful of parks, trails and local shops and eateries, so residents won’t have to leave town for the necessities. “This is a very close-knit community with lots of care for the people,” says Fawn Contreras, who is the Head of E-Services at the Valley Community Library. “We greet people when we meet on trails, and we have local shops for many things, which makes Blakely very homey.”
A mix of historic and newer homes in a wooded, small-town setting
Blakely offers a wide range of homes built between the early 1900s and the early 2000s. Blakely’s residents tend to be “generational homeowners and long-term residents who are family and community-oriented, so there’s not much inventory on the market,” says Janine Christian, a real estate agent with over 10 years of experience at ERA One Source Realty. Prospective homebuyers will find a variety of styles, including Colonial Revivals, Victorian homes, traditional, and midcentury ranch-style homes. Many of the neighborhoods have a backdrop of tall trees or forests, and properties tend to be well-maintained with nicely kept lawns. Homes closer to downtown Peckville are packed tighter together, but still have grassy yards and space for a pool. Those living in the town center are within walking distance of shops, parks and restaurants. Prices range from around $150,000 to $400,000, with newer and renovated homes selling for the highest prices.
River access, trails and sports courts at Blakely’s main park
The Blakely Borough Recreation Complex is the community’s largest recreational area. Locals enjoy boating, fishing and kayaking along the Lackawanna River, as well as walking along the scenic Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. The park’s sports complex features basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, as well as softball fields. Additional public parks include Swansea, Brook Street, and Pennsylvania Avenue fields, which offer playgrounds and sports amenities. Families can also go skiing at the Montage Mountain Resorts, about 15 miles away.
Main Street has cafés, brunch spots and casual Italian fare
There are plenty of local shops, eateries and small businesses along Blakely’s Main Street. Old & Brew is a popular café that also sells vintage kitchenware and clothing, while Coccetti's is a classic brunch spot known for steak and cheese eggs Benedict and cinnamon French toast. Joseph’s Restaurant serves casual Italian fare, including homemade egg pappardelle and chicken Francese. Residents can visit the local staple grocery store, Quinn’s Market, for fresh produce, and go to Dickson City’s Walmart or Home Depot for household essentials.
Public schools with average ratings and strong extracurriculars
Students can start at Valley View Elementary Center, which serves kindergarten through second grade and earns a B-minus rating from Niche. Valley View Intermediate School, rated a C-plus, serves students in grades 3 through 5. The next steps are B-minus-rated Valley View Middle School and B-rated Valley View High School. The high school offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities, music programs, career and technical education, and athletics. The football team is a big deal, drawing thousands to its home games every year.
Festivities in Blakely, Dickson City and Downtown Scranton
The Valley Community Library hosts special events throughout the year, including a holiday movie marathon. The community fridge outside the library is often fully stocked by local restaurants for those in need. The Dickson City Civic Center Winter Craft and Vendor Fair, just a few miles south, brings out dozens of artists every December. Lackawanna County also hosts a plethora of events in downtown Scranton, with festivals such as the Santa Parade and the Lackawanna County Fair.
Getting around Lackawanna County
Most people navigate the area by car, although the County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) provides bus stops in town. U.S. Route 6 is about 4 miles away, and connects to interstates 81, 84 and 476. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is approximately 15 miles away. The Geisinger Community Medical Center and the Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton are about 8 miles away.
