Small-town living in Lackawanna County
About 13 miles southeast of Scranton sits the quiet borough of Moscow, which offers commuters and other travelers quick access to some of Northeast Pennsylvania’s major highways, like Interstate 380. The area also appeals to buyers seeking single-family homes located close to well regarded public schools. And the town boasts an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. But at its core, Moscow, despite its proximity to the urban center of Scranton, remains a small town at heart. The community’s small-town vibe is epitomized in the annual Moscow Country Street Fair. Every summer, family-friendly activities fill the grounds at the free, three-day event including a quilt and art show and a tractor parade featuring both vintage and contemporary machinery.
Wide streets and lawns frame ranch-style and New Traditional homes
The residential landscape has wide streets and uniform lots with grassy lawns. Architectural designs include ranch-style and New Traditional homes, some of which have front porches or multicar garages. Prices range from about $100,000 to $710,000, depending on age, size and condition. Homes here are, on average, more expensive than in Scranton, though still significantly less expensive than the national average.Lower-priced homes are more often smaller and older, whereas homes over $400,000 tend to be of more recent construction and have at least 2,000 square feet. The area’s newer, larger homes are located in the Harmony Hill neighborhood across from Moscow Elementary Center; older homes on the lower end of the price spectrum are typically on the eastern end of the town.
Students are zoned for the North Pocono School District
The North Pocono School District, rated B-plus on Niche, serves the area. Moscow Elementary Center, rated A-minus, is located next to North Pocono Intermediate and North Pocono Middle, both rated B-plus. A few miles south, students at B-plus-rated North Pocono High School can earn dual enrollment credits through Lackawanna College.
Moscow sits alongside Interstate 380
While some homes are within walking and biking distance of schools and green spaces, Moscow is generally car-dependent. The community borders Interstate 380, which can take drivers east into New Jersey and New York via Interstates 84 and 80; Midtown Manhattan is approximately 110 miles east. Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City is about 14 miles away, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is about 19 miles away.
Parks and ski slopes offer year-round outdoor fun in Lackawanna County
Access to outdoor recreation isn’t hard to find in Moscow and the surrounding area. Golden Park has fields for soccer and baseball in addition to a playground and a sand volleyball court. From Old Mill Park, hikers and dog walkers can walk along Roaring Brook and connect to the North Pocono Trail system. Members of Elmhurst Country Club can use the 18-hole championship golf course, join a league or play in a tournament and dine at the clubhouse overlooking the fairway. Nearby Montage Mountain is home to family-friendly ski slopes offering 26 trails that cover 140 acres of skiable terrain in the winter, and a water park with a meandering lazy river that serves guests during the summer months.
Casual shopping and dining options in the Moscow area
Moscow’s handful of restaurants includes recently remodeled Delish On Main, a local favorite for lunch with an extensive dessert menu. The Caboose Food & Ice Cream is a train-themed pitstop serving casual bites and ice cream sundaes to-go. When it comes to shopping, there’s a Dollar General in Moscow; otherwise, shoppers can get groceries at ShopRite a few miles south in the village of Daleville. Aside from the local hardware store and garden center, most stores are located in Scranton. The Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton is an indoor mall that is home to independent retailers and restaurants in addition to a luxury movie theater and Electric City Aquarium.
