A quiet neighborhood just outside of Kingston
Full of hilly streets and surrounded by woodlands, residents of Larksville live a slow, quiet life amongst the neighborhood’s residential streets. “It’s a Kingston surrounds—a neighborhood that associates itself with Kingston,” says Realtor Christine Lacomis with Lewith and Freeman Real Estate. “Larksville’s mainly residential.” Lacomis explains that the main appeal of living in Larksville is the proximity to Kingston and Wilkes-Barre while experiencing lower housing costs. The excitement of the surrounding towns is close enough that residents can access them when they want to shop or dine out, but not close enough that they infringe on the quiet residential culture people in Larksville have curated.
Larksville's traditional farmhouses and duplexes
At the center of Larksville, traditional farmhouses with large front porches huddle tightly together on narrow streets without sidewalks. Chain link fences mark the property lines between the small backyards, and some residents plant small flower gardens in the front yards. Between the lines of homes are back streets where people can park in detached garages, but plenty of people also park on the streets in front of homes. Detached single-family homes are the most common, but symmetrical duplexes are sprinkled throughout streets. Closer to Edwardsville, the neighboring town, the Larkmount Manor community has bigger properties with Colonial Revival and ranches more spread out. Green hedges separate properties and sidewalks run along the streets. Homes here list between $125,000 and $250,000.
An elementary school at the heart of Larksville
State Street Elementary Center sits at the center of the neighborhood and receives a C from Niche. Wyoming Valley West Middle School earns a C-plus from Niche. At Wyoming Valley West High School, students can take technical courses through the school’s partnership with the West Side Career and Technology Center (WSCTC). Niche grants the high school a B-plus ranking.
Connecting to Kingston and Wilkes-Barre via Market Street
Buses run along East State Street, connecting residents to Market Street, where they can access shopping centers and box stores. Market Street also links people to Kingston, just 2 miles away, and Wilkes-Barre, 3.4 miles away. The community isn’t far from I-81, which they can take to get to Scranton, about 23 miles away, and Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, 15 miles from Larksville. Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre is the closest hospital, over 3.5 miles away.
Potato pancakes in Larksville and Kingston's Greek scene
While Larksville is largely residential, it does have some restaurants close to home. Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub serves standard bar food, like burgers and wings, and features live music and games like pool and darts. The Potato Pancake Shack serves just that—fried potato pancakes. Because Kingston is so close, people can also drive to there for restaurants like Theo’s Metro for Greek-American cuisine or AmberDonia Bakery for fresh baked goods. Market 32 along Main Street is the closest grocery store. For more options, people can also stop in the Aldi in Kingston, 3 miles away, or the Walmart and Wegmans in Wilkes-Barre Township Marketplace, just 7.5 miles away.
Access the Susquehanna from Nesbitt Park
Athletes can play basketball or soccer at the fields and courts at Robert Zolner Memorial Park. This green space borders some houses, making it accessible to residents off Chestnut Street. Along the Susquehanna River, the Levee Trail offers biking and jogging opportunities. Over in Kingston, Nesbitt Park allows residents to get out on the water with its boat launch, making it popular with fishers.
Celebrate pierogis at Edwardsville Pierogi Festival
Edwardsville is just next door to Larksville, hosting the Edwardsville Pierogi Festival each June. This foodie festival celebrates the potato dumpling with a themed parade, a pierogi cookoff, and themed merchandise, like pierogi pillows. Kingston’s RiverFest features paddle boat tours and dragon boat races on the Susquehanna River. Kids can participate in scavenger hunts, and everyone can enjoy live music. In Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, the farmers market takes place every Thursday from June through November.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
