A moderate climate with four distinct seasons.

The eleventh lowest crime rate of all 354 U.S. metropolitan areas.

Extensive health care resources including eight hospitals
(7.6 beds/1000), over 600 doctors/dentists, 43 ambulance units and 6 transport services, 26 licensed nursing care facilities, 35 licensed personal care facilities, and a network of social service support agencies.

Two HMOs and two PPOs are located in the Greater Wilkes-Barre area.

Housing costs well below comparable Northeast metropolitan areas.

A variety of cultural offerings including symphony, ballet, art galleries, theatrical and musical groups, ethnic and community festivals, and numerous libraries and museums.

A wide range of recreational facilities including, a Triple A baseball team, a Convention Center/Civic Arena (1999), 42 golf courses, 16 major parks, 106 playgrounds, 112 outdoor tennis courts, 17 Pocono Mountain ski resorts, Pocono Downs harness racing, and the nearby Pocono International Raceway which hosts NASCAR, SCCA, and IMSA racing.

4,375 hotel/motel rooms in the Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.