Scranton, PA—where the traffic moves slower than a turtle in a hammock, and yet somehow, the people here are both charming and infuriating all at once. As someone who has lived in New York City and Massachusetts, I can’t help but feel like I’m living in a completely different world. Scranton, for all its quirks, has a certain warmth to it that’s hard to ignore. But don’t get me wrong—this city is full of contradictions. So, here’s my rundown of the 3 things I love and 5 things I hate about Scranton, both from a personal and business perspective, all in a New York minute.
What I Love About Scranton
- The People Are Actually Nice
Let’s start with the people. In Scranton, the simple act of eye contact feels like a gesture of genuine interest. People will look you in the eye, smile, and greet you with a “hello” like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Coming from places like New York City and Boston, this is almost shocking. In New York, eye contact is a rare commodity, often avoided like a trip to the dentist. The people are always too busy heading somewhere—though, let’s be honest, it’s usually somewhere that doesn’t matter much. In Boston, don’t even think about making direct eye contact. It’s as if the whole city agreed that any glance beyond the immediate vicinity is too confrontational. But here in Scranton? A genuine “hi” is not only welcomed; it’s expected.
- Loyalty Within Their Tribe
There’s something undeniably admirable about Scrantonians’ loyalty to their own. These folks are about as tight-knit as you can get. They stick to their cliques, and they don’t stray too far from the people they know. It’s like a family reunion every time you walk into a local bar or coffee shop. They know each other’s kids, their pets, and the neighbor’s aunt who always bakes the best cookies. But, here’s the catch: if you don’t fit into one of these groups, it can be like trying to break into an exclusive club without the right handshake. It’s a bit like the high school cafeteria—there’s a place for everyone, as long as you’re part of the right crew.
- Family Identity
Even when things aren’t perfect, Scranton’s people are fiercely loyal to their families. And I mean fiercely. It doesn’t matter if Uncle Fred is a little… eccentric or Aunt Edna is constantly causing drama—family is family, and that bond runs deep. It’s almost as if the identity of the entire city is built on its families, for better or for worse. This loyalty is both beautiful and a bit suffocating, but it’s hard not to respect how much they stick by each other, no matter the circumstances. It’s almost as if in Scranton, no one ever truly lets go, even if they should.
What I Hate About Scranton
- A False Sense of Elitism
Now, here’s where Scranton gets a little frustrating. There’s a strange, unwarranted elitism that runs through the city. If you bring something new to the table—an idea, a vision, a fresh perspective—you better be ready for rejection. It doesn’t matter how brilliant your idea might be; if it wasn’t thought of by a Scranton native, it’s automatically dismissed. The level of closed-mindedness can be downright shocking. You’d think they were the intellectual capital of the world with how quickly they shut down anything unfamiliar. But, no. It’s just Scranton being Scranton, where anything that doesn’t fit into their worldview is swiftly disregarded as “too new” or “too out there.”
- Lack of Business Acumen
Let’s talk about business, or the lack thereof. Scranton is not exactly a business-friendly environment. It’s not just that the rules are outdated; it’s that there’s a clear lack of ambition. Many of the folks here are content with the status quo—no plans to grow, no desire to improve. Want to do business here? You’d better be prepared for a whole lot of bureaucratic red tape. I’ve had conversations with local contractors who won’t even consider doing business in Scranton because the regulations are so suffocating. It’s like trying to build a house out of wet paper—it’s just not happening.
Scranton Metro Area Population 1950-2024
source: www.macrotrends.net/cities/23138/scranton/population
- Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
One of the more disappointing things about Scranton is its somewhat surprising anti-immigrant sentiment. The city desperately needs workers, especially with the current labor shortage, yet there’s a reluctance to welcome new people or ideas from outside the area. In a world where businesses thrive on diversity, Scranton seems stuck in the past, holding onto outdated notions of who should be allowed to contribute. It’s a baffling contradiction: the city needs hard workers, yet many seem unwilling to embrace the work ethic of newcomers. Instead, they cling to their sense of elitism, which does nothing but stifle growth and prosperity. It’s a frustrating reality that’s only going to get worse unless something changes.
- Holding Grudges Forever
Another fun quirk of Scranton: the inability to let go of grudges. If you’ve ever had a falling out with someone here, don’t expect a quick resolution. Scrantonians don’t believe in “letting bygones be bygones.” They hold onto their grudges like prized possessions, often for years or even decades. It’s as if forgiveness is some foreign concept that they just can’t wrap their heads around. And good luck getting an apology. In Scranton, admitting fault is rarer than finding a unicorn at the corner store. People don’t come to a “Jesus moment” and own up to their mistakes—they just move on to the next thing, with the issue still hanging in the air like a bad smell.
- Lack of Work Ethic
Lastly, let’s talk about work ethic—or the lack thereof. It’s not that people are lazy, necessarily; it’s just that they don’t have that relentless drive you might expect from a place that prides itself on hard work. A lot of folks here don’t show up when they say they will, and when they do, they’re often distracted by anything and everything. Building a business here requires more than just showing up—it takes attention to detail, dedication, and follow-through. Unfortunately, those qualities are in short supply. Combine that with a lack of ambition, and you’ve got a recipe for stagnation. It’s no wonder so many people with big ideas look at Scranton and think, “Maybe not here.”
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? Scranton has a lot of heart, but it’s also a city full of contradictions. On the one hand, you’ve got warm, loyal people who will greet you with a smile and stick by their families no matter what. On the other hand, you’ve got a stubbornness that resists progress, an elitism that shuts out new ideas, and a lack of business savvy that holds the city back. As much as I love the people and the sense of community here, it’s hard to ignore the city’s resistance to change and growth. Scranton is a place where ambition often goes to die, but maybe—just maybe—it’ll wake up one day. Until then, we’ll just keep trying to get ahead in a city that still thinks the world is moving at its own pace.
And who knows? Maybe in another New York minute, things will start moving faster. Or maybe not.
