Waverly is a tight-knit township in Lackawanna County
Waverly Township has quiet living and community in the hills of Lackawanna County. Just about 9 miles outside Scranton, Waverly thrived off industry and agriculture through the 1800s and early 1900s and was a popular summer home location for wealthy Scrantonites. It even served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, this peaceful community has thoughtfully preserved its history and attracted new residents seeking highly rated schools, secluded properties and an established community. “It’s very generational, but in a good, preserving way,” says Maggie Farley, real estate agent at Bluestone Realty Group and Waverly resident for 14 years. “People move away and come back when they decide to have kids. They want to raise their kids how they were raised.”
Preserved homes on large lots showcase historic charm
Many homes in Waverly sit on several acres of land or are surrounded by woods. “There are so many things that have been preserved, and there are beautiful blue stone retaining walls throughout,” Farley says. “The last thing you can describe it as is cookie-cutter." Victorian and traditional styles from the 1800s are common, and homes built throughout the 20th century include ranch-style houses and spacious custom builds. Properties usually sell for between $250,000 to just over $1 million, with the most expensive homes spanning over 5,000 square feet on acres of land. “You never know what you’re going to find,” Farley says. “We have 1.7 acres, but next to me and behind me there's 24 acres and my neighbor has 30 acres.”
Students attend the highly rated Abington Heights School District
Public school students in Waverly typically begin at Waverly Elementary, which has an A from Niche, before continuing to A-minus-rated Abington Heights Middle and A-minus-rated Abington Heights High. Niche also names these three schools among the top public schools in the Scranton area. High schoolers have the opportunity for dual enrollment with Lackawanna College and can earn an associate degree in subjects like business administration and criminal justice by the time they graduate high school. Specialty schools are also nearby and include The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children and private institutions like Our Lady of Peace School.
Events and amenities at the Waverly Community House
The Waverly Community House is at the center of the township’s social and recreational activities. “If you want to be a social butterfly, there’s tons of things to do. It’s hard to find a town with a community center that brings everyone together like this,” Farley says. “If you want to be involved with the community, you can be easily involved." The house itself holds the Waverly Memorial Library, an art gallery, thrift shop and post office, among other community spaces. Outside, the grounds have a large playground and tennis courts.
The community house also offers childcare and summer camps, as well as over a dozen events throughout the year. Events range from family-friendly and seasonal events like Breakfast with Santa and a Halloween Party with crafts and games, as well as functions serving adult tastes, like the Waverly Wine Fest in August.
Waverly Deli and Waverly General Store are community mainstays
The Waverly Deli, across the street from the Waverly Community House, serves sandwiches and paninis locals can enjoy while relaxing on the restaurant’s front porch. Just a block away, Waverly General Store sells gifts and handmade items. “The general store is the cutest boutique you’d ever want,” Farley says. “If you need a gift, you can run into the general store on your way home from work.” For more, U.S. Route 11 has more chain restaurants and grocers such as Weis nearby.
Trails at Meadowsweet Preserve and socials at Waverly Country Club
Waverly Country Club is a social club off Abington Road that hosts events for members. “That is such a kickback,” says Farley, who’s a club member and on the board. “It’s an old time dinner social club.” For a classic country club experience, with golfing, swimming and tennis, Glen Oak Country Club is just down the road. Park visitors can hike along creeks and through woods and meadows at Meadowsweet Preserve, which connects to the larger Quarry Ridge Preserve and Lackawanna State Park. The state park covers almost 1,500 acres, including a recreation lake and miles of trails.
Waverly residents get to major cities in a couple hours
Interstates 476 and 81 take drivers across the state and major cities: Waverly is about 8 miles north of Scranton, and Philadelphia and New York City are both about 130 miles away. Farley says the pandemic prompted many professionals to move to the community from larger metro areas. “With so many people being able to work remotely, people traded lifestyles. They wanted more for their money and better schools,” she says. She also notes that nearby hospitals, such as Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton, employ many in the area. Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is also 20 miles south. Waverly’s Cap Index Crime Score is a 1, much lower than the national average of 4.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
