Choosing where to raise your family in the Wyoming Valley means weighing factors that matter most to your daily life, school quality, neighborhood safety, community atmosphere, and practical amenities. Wilkes-Barre and its surrounding communities offer diverse options for families at different stages and with varying priorities.
This guide covers family neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre and the nearby areas that families consistently consider when relocating to the region. Whether you prioritize top-rated schools, walkable streets, or river access, you’ll find neighborhoods that deliver.
Understanding the Wilkes-Barre Area
Before diving into specific neighborhoods, it helps to understand how the Wyoming Valley works. Wilkes-Barre sits along the Susquehanna River, surrounded by smaller boroughs and townships that function as part of the greater metro area.
Many families who say they’re “moving to Wilkes-Barre” actually settle in neighboring communities like Kingston, Plains, or Forty Fort. These boroughs maintain their own identities, school districts, and local governments while sharing the economic and cultural ecosystem of the Wyoming Valley.
This geography matters because school districts follow municipal boundaries. A family neighborhood in Wilkes-Barre might fall under one district, while a similar neighborhood three blocks away in Kingston operates under a different system entirely. Understanding these boundaries helps you make informed location decisions.
Kingston: Tree-Lined Streets and Community Feel
Kingston consistently ranks among the top choices for families relocating to the Wyoming Valley. This borough directly borders Wilkes-Barre and offers the family-friendly atmosphere many parents seek.
The neighborhoods here feature tree-lined streets with well-maintained single-family homes. You’ll find architectural variety spanning decades, from early 20th-century homes with front porches to more recent construction with modern layouts. The housing stock accommodates different family sizes and budgets.
Kingston’s walkability stands out. Sidewalks connect neighborhoods to parks, schools, and local businesses. Kids can bike to friends’ houses or walk to the corner store, the kind of independence that builds confidence while parents maintain peace of mind.
The borough maintains several parks for family recreation. Kingston Municipal Park provides playgrounds, sports fields, and open space for community gatherings. During summer months, you’ll see families using the facilities for everything from Little League games to birthday parties.
Kingston also borders the Susquehanna River, providing access to the river commons and walking paths that run along the waterfront. Families use these trails year-round for jogging, cycling, and scenic walks that feel worlds away from urban density.
The school system serves the community well, and parents appreciate the manageable size that allows teachers and staff to know students individually. The district’s community involvement creates the connected feeling many families want for their children’s education.
Plains: Affordable Family Living
Plains Township extends northeast of Wilkes-Barre and offers families more affordable housing options while maintaining access to the region’s amenities and employment centers.
The neighborhoods in Plains tend toward suburban residential character, single-family homes with yards, quiet streets, and a pace that feels removed from the busier corridors closer to Wilkes-Barre’s center. Families moving from rural areas often find Plains an easier transition than denser urban neighborhoods.
Plains provides solid community resources including local parks and recreational facilities. The township maintains playgrounds and sports fields that host youth activities and league games throughout the year.
Shopping and services cluster along the main routes through Plains, putting everyday necessities within short drives from most neighborhoods. Families appreciate not needing to travel into Wilkes-Barre for routine errands, though downtown amenities remain easily accessible when desired.
The Wyoming Area School District serves Plains and surrounding communities. The district maintains facilities across multiple municipalities and offers comprehensive programming for students at all levels.
Housing affordability in Plains matters to families stretching their budgets. The cost per square foot typically runs lower here than in Kingston or other closer-in boroughs, allowing families to afford larger homes or save money for other priorities.
Forty Fort: Historic Charm and River Access
Forty Fort sits along the Susquehanna River between Kingston and Wyoming. This small borough combines historic character with modern family amenities.
The Fort Street corridor showcases some of the area’s most distinctive historic architecture. Families drawn to character homes find options here, from Victorian structures to early American styles. These neighborhoods provide the visual appeal and established community feel that come with mature areas.
Forty Fort’s location along the river provides natural amenities that enhance family life. The Forty Fort Riverfront Park offers walking trails, fishing access, and open spaces along the Susquehanna. Families use the park for everything from teaching kids to fish to evening walks after dinner.
The borough maintains a tight-knit community atmosphere. Local events throughout the year, Memorial Day parades, community picnics, holiday celebrations, create opportunities for families to connect with neighbors and build the social networks that make a place feel like home.
Wyoming Area School District serves Forty Fort, providing the same educational system as Plains. The borough’s smaller size means many families know each other through school connections, sports leagues, and community involvement.
Forty Fort’s proximity to both Kingston and Wyoming provides easy access to additional amenities, shopping, and services. You’re functionally in the heart of the Wyoming Valley’s family-friendly corridor.
Mountain Top: Space and Suburban Comfort
Mountain Top sits several miles from Wilkes-Barre proper, offering families a more suburban and semi-rural experience. The community’s elevation and distance from the valley floor create a distinct character.
Families who choose Mountain Top typically prioritize space, newer housing stock, and a quieter pace. The neighborhoods here feature larger lots, more separation between homes, and the kind of residential calm that families with young children often seek.
The Crestwood School District serves Mountain Top and maintains a strong reputation among area families. Parents frequently cite the schools as a primary reason for choosing this community.
Mountain Top’s commercial corridors provide shopping, dining, and services without requiring trips down the mountain to Wilkes-Barre. For families working in Wilkes-Barre or other valley locations, the commute adds 15-20 minutes but delivers the lifestyle tradeoff many parents consider worthwhile.
The area includes parks and recreational facilities suited to family activities. The more spread-out geography means destinations require driving rather than walking, which families should factor into their lifestyle expectations.
Edwardsville and Luzerne: Additional Options
Families casting a wider net often consider Edwardsville and Luzerne as well. Both communities offer distinct advantages depending on your priorities.
Edwardsville provides another river community option with established neighborhoods and reasonable housing costs. The borough sits just north of Kingston along the Susquehanna and shares many of the characteristics that make neighboring communities attractive to families.
Luzerne sits between Wilkes-Barre and Plains, offering convenience to the valley’s major employment and commercial centers. The borough provides middle-ground options for families who want proximity to Wilkes-Barre without living in the city center.
Both communities maintain local parks and recreational facilities, participate in area school districts, and offer the kind of stable residential neighborhoods where families settle long-term.
What to Prioritize When Choosing Your Neighborhood
Beyond specific community characteristics, families moving to the Wilkes-Barre area should evaluate several factors that impact long-term satisfaction:
School districts vary significantly in size, approach, and outcomes. Research specific districts rather than making assumptions based on reputation alone. Visit schools if possible, talk to parents whose children attend, and review recent performance data.
Commute realities matter more than distance suggests. A neighborhood five miles from your workplace might take 20 minutes during rush hour, while a location eight miles away on less-congested routes takes 12 minutes. Test your actual commute before committing.
Neighborhood age and upkeep provide clues about community engagement. Well-maintained older neighborhoods with active residents typically offer better quality of life than newer developments where everyone’s too busy to build community connections.
Amenity access shapes daily life. Consider how often you’ll actually visit downtown Wilkes-Barre, how close you need to be to grocery stores, and whether walkability or driving convenience matters more to your family’s routine.
Making Your Move to Wilkes-Barre Smooth
Once you’ve identified your target neighborhood, the practical work of relocating begins. Moving a family means coordinating belongings, timing, and the physical labor of packing, transporting, and unpacking an entire household.
Our team has moved hundreds of families into neighborhoods throughout the Wyoming Valley. We know Kingston’s narrow residential streets, Plains’ typical lot layouts, and Mountain Top’s longer driveways. That local knowledge translates to more efficient moves and fewer surprises on moving day.
We understand that families with children face unique moving challenges. Keeping kids occupied, managing their stress during the transition, and maintaining some semblance of routine while your household is in flux requires careful planning. Many families find that delegating the physical move to professionals frees them to focus on supporting their children through the change.
We offer packing services for families who need help with the overwhelming task of preparing an entire home for transport. Professional packing saves time, reduces breakage, and lets parents focus on the hundred other details involved in relocating.
Starting Your Neighborhood Search
The most effective approach to finding your family neighborhood in Wilkes-Barre combines online research with in-person evaluation. Start by narrowing candidates based on must-have features: school district quality, commute feasibility, housing budget, and key amenities.
Then visit your top choices at different times of day. Drive through on a weekday morning to observe traffic patterns and school activity. Return on a Saturday afternoon to see how families actually use the neighborhood, do kids play outside? Are people walking, biking, or working in their yards? These observations reveal more than statistics.
Talk to residents you encounter. Wyoming Valley locals tend to be straightforward about their communities’ strengths and weaknesses. Parents at local parks, people walking dogs, or neighbors working in their yards will generally give honest assessments based on lived experience.
Pay attention to your instincts. The “right” neighborhood should feel welcoming and comfortable, not just check boxes on a comparison spreadsheet. You’ll spend years here raising your family, so trust your gut alongside your research.
Your Next Steps
Family neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding Wyoming Valley offer diverse options, from Kingston’s walkable streets to Mountain Top’s spacious lots to Plains’ affordable family homes. The key is matching neighborhood characteristics with your actual priorities and lifestyle.
When you’re ready to make your move, contact our team to discuss your Wilkes-Barre relocation. We’ll handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on helping your family settle into your new neighborhood.