South Abington offers suburban living and strong schools near Scranton
With encompassing greenery and abundant lakes and creeks meandering through, South Abington is a tranquil township found in Lackawanna County. Today, the area has become a desirable suburb with top-tier schools, accessible recreation and natural outings with a vibrant city life close by. “South Abington is a major subdivision of Scranton; this is where people go for country living yet are still close to the city,” says Alexander Schwartz, a local agent and an expert of the area at RE/MAX Realty Select. “The houses are big and the area schools make for another main reason that people choose to move here.”
Stately homes in South Abington Township
South Abington’s suburban homes are spaciously spread out, with sizable green lawns and trees linking properties along the streets. Residences are commonly built in Colonial Revival, Cape Cod or ranch-style architecture. A single-family home with three or four bedrooms can be listed between $350,000 and $550,000. Townhouses with three bedrooms are priced at around $300,000, and older homes with two bedrooms are listed for close to $200,000.
Abington Heights has top-ranking schools
“Abington Heights is one of the best school districts in the whole state, and people are willing to pay premiums to move here for the schools,” Schwartz says. Young students can attend Waverly School, which has an A Niche score. Other area schools include South Abington Elementary School, Abington Heights Middle School and Abington Heights High, all of which have an overall A-minus Niche rating. The Dual Enrollment program at Abington Heights High School offers students the opportunity to earn associate degrees and study college-level courses as well as certificates with transferable college credits. Colleges located within 10 miles of the township include Clarks Summit University, Lackawanna College, Johnson College, Marywood University and Keystone College.
Recreation outings close to township
South Abington Park has an athletic field for softball, lacrosse and youth soccer, basketball courts and a play area. The walking trail is decorated during the holidays for festive walks, and the Splash Park is open in summertime for children 12 and under. Hillside Community Park offers a summer concert series on Wednesday nights. Kids can play soccer or softball at the Stroney Field, and the Abington Community Dog Park is onsite for playtime with pet companions. People can also go fishing by the park’s lake or at Griffith Reservoir and Summit Lake. Nearby in Clarks Summit, golfers can enjoy the 27-hole tournament golf course at The Country Club of Scranton, which is rated by Golf Magazine as the 7th best golf course in Pennsylvania. About 8 miles to the north, the 1,411-acre Lackawanna State Park is a destination for hunting, kayaking and canoeing. The Trolley Trail is now open from Clarks Summit to Dalton for people to hike or bike and enjoy the scenic views.
Annual celebrations in Lackawanna County
On Saturdays, from July until October, the farmers market takes place at South Abington Elementary for residents to buy locally grown produce. Abington Shopping Center is home to the neighborhood grocery store Caravia Fresh Foods, and the closest Target is about 5 miles away in Dickson City. One can also find many local restaurants on State Street; the family-owned farm-to-table eatery, Alter House Restaurant & Bar, offers New American dishes such as wood fire grilled domestic lamb chops and seared duck breast from local farms. The Viewmont Mall in Scranton, which is 3 miles south of the township, includes retailers such as Macy’s, Pandora and Old Navy.
Access to Scranton and beyond
Each year, the Abington Community Library organizes the fall book sale for community members. The library also hosts fun events such as Sugar Rush Soiree, a workshop on creating edible art for middle schoolers, arts and crafts workshops and movie marathons. Chinchilla Hose Company hosts the Easter Egg Hunt in April at South Abington Park and organizes the Annual Chicken Bar-B-Que in May. Scranton’s downtown also has annual festivals including The Santa Parade, Lackawanna Winter Market and the Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade. These county-wide celebrations draw residents and spectators alike for live music, entertainment, food and drinks by local vendors and boutique shops.
Transportation
The Clarks Summit State Hospital is the nearest medical center for health emergencies or treatments, and the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is located 15 miles to the south for flights. Scranton, the nearest metropolis, is about 5 miles away via U.S. Route 11. Interstate 476 lets commuters travel to Philadelphia, while Interstate 81 provides an easy drive into Northern New York.
