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<\/p>\nIt was 2023 and Kate Alberswerth was contemplating her next career move. After living in Brooklyn for 20 years, she knew it was time to relocate and look for work beyond her city\u2019s borders. When Frito Lay in Williamsport offered her a job, she, along with her husband Naseef Sami and daughter Quynh, packed up and moved to Loyalsock Township. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were living a cramped life in New York,\u201d said Alberswerth.<\/p>\n
The family left their two bedroom apartment behind to purchase their current 4-bedroom home in a quiet neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mortgage is the same as [the rent for] our 2 bedroom apartment,\u201d said Alberswerth.<\/p>\n
Sami added, \u201cIt feels like the \u2018Wonder Years\u2019 for Quynh. We know she is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Alberswerth and Sami are part of a growing number of New York City transplants, who have moved to the Williamsport area. Whether they are here permanently or just part-time residents, they are contributing to the local economy. By buying housing, participating in the arts or opening new businesses, these New Yorkers are giving back in diverse ways. But what do they get back in return?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main factors drawing people to our area are affordability of homes, more availability of rural homes and there is an attraction to our school districts in our area. And we are fortunate with big employers, the universities, hospitals and other larger employers,\u201d said Bob Boob, a real estate agent and owner of CENTURY 211st Choice Realty in Jersey Shore.<\/p>\n
Boob added outdoor recreation is also a big draw. Sara Winkelman, who moved to Williamsport from Manhattan, agrees.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccess to the outdoors is incredibly easy and close, from year-round hiking to kayaking and paddleboarding in the summer, and the trails are never crowded,\u201d said Sara.<\/p>\n
Sara was part of the exodus from New York City, when she moved here in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Williamsport was an easy choice for Sara, since her parents, Mark and Suzie Winkelman, own the Pajama Factory in Williamsport. <\/p>\n
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\u201cWhat began as a temporary move became permanent in part because we fell in love with our loft in the factory and the sense of community that came with it,\u201d said Sara, whose fiancee at the time, Phil Baughman, also moved to Williamsport.<\/p>\n
Sara and Baughman are now enjoying married life here.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spend a lot of time hiking and being on the water, and we\u2019ve also become very involved in pickleball. On a typical weekend night, we usually go out one evening and especially love local theater \u2014 we\u2019ve enjoyed shows at Community Theatre League, Millbrook Playhouse, and the State Theatre,\u201d said Sara.<\/p>\n
Emily Flake also came to Williamsport as a result of the pandemic. The Brooklyn based author and cartoonist has had her work published in \u201cThe New Yorker\u201d and \u201cThe New York Times.\u201d <\/p>\n
When Flake was researching vacation options in 2020, an ad popped up for the Genetti Hotel SureStay Collection by Best Western in Williamsport. Flake booked a hotel stay there with her husband and daughter and was charmed by the city during their vacation. <\/p>\n
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Eventually, Flake purchased a home to house St. Nell\u2019s Humor Writing Residency in Williamsport. The non-profit serves as a space for writers to retreat to, while working on projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to expand to a larger residency and in-person classes in the future,\u201d said Flake, who lives here part-time. <\/p>\n
When writers from around the United States come to St. Nell\u2019s, they are spending dollars at local restaurants and stores during their residency. In addition, Flake\u2019s family is contributing to the local economy during their extended stays here..<\/p>\n
\u201cMy daughter loved the summer improv camp at the Community Theater League,\u201d said Flake, who enjoys the farmer\u2019s market and local restaurants.<\/p>\n
One Queens couple decided to start their first restaurant in Williamsport. Zena and Max Koen opened Umi Noodles in 2024, which became a successful eatery right after opening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love it here. People are really nice. It\u2019s always quiet and living expenses are way lower,\u201d said Max.<\/p>\n
The restaurant now employs ten people and sources ingredients from Williamsport suppliers such as Tony\u2019s Delicatessen and Fresh Meats and Helmrich\u2019s Seafood.<\/p>\n
One part-time resident from Manhattan is planning to live in Williamsport full-time. Suzie Winkleman, Sara\u2019s mother, still works in Manhattan and has been commuting there weekly or bi-weekly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m currently a Group Account Director at Jacques NY, part of Havas \u2014 one of the world\u2019s largest communication groups. While my professional base is in New York, I\u2019m proud to also be deeply involved in Williamsport through the Pajama Factory, which, as you know, has become a vibrant hub for arts and culture in the region,\u201d said Suzie, who has owned the Pajama Factory with husband Mark since 2007.<\/p>\n
Suzie is now planning to retire in 2026 and has decided to make Williamsport her home because of the quality of life it provides.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was amazed by the rich cultural life here \u2014 music, theater, great food, events, lectures, and especially the arts. When we started the Pajama Factory, we imagined attracting artists from Philly and NYC, and while that\u2019s happened, what surprised me most is the incredible talent already here in the region. Williamsport is a culturally rich community, and that makes it an exciting place to live and create,\u201d said Suzie.<\/p>\n
Will Williamsport continue to attract more New Yorkers? While it is hard to garner a definitive answer, transportation seems to be a barrier to moving to the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can\u2019t afford to live in New York City and they can at least work here remotely but it is hard to get back to New York City easily,\u201d said Mark.<\/p>\n
For now, our new residents are settling in and discovering the benefits of their new city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lack of needing to commute is amazing,\u201d said Alberswerth.<\/p>\n
Suzie said succinctly, \u201cIt feels like an undiscovered gem. There\u2019s so much happening beyond the great outdoors \u2014 arts, culture, community \u2014 and it\u2019s incredibly affordable compared to big cities. Visitors to the Pajama Factory often say they love the space and the energy here, and that makes Williamsport even more attractive as a destination. It\u2019s a city with history, creativity, and a bright future.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Montoursville Area School Board voted to accept the resignation of head varsity football coach Joe Hanna and …<\/p>\n