Warren, PA (Erie, York, Jamestown: section 8, crime, houses)

[Switch625]

I have a friend who lives in Warren. My friend has been putting the hard sell on me lately about the Warren area, saying I should move there. I have been to Warren three times to visit my friend, and I can't say I was terribly impressed by anything but the scenery (which is lovely). My friend was quite insistent that I would love it there, though.

What would make me want to move to Warren? What are jobs like, what is the economy like, what is the town like in general? I'm not currently planning a move, I'm just gathering information.

Thank you in advance.

[ORexpat]

I have never been to Warren, but it is highly recommended on YourCheapHome.com because of low property prices.

[Dingler]

If you do not work at Blair, there are few jobs in Warren. The cost of living is low because there are few good high paying jobs. Weather is Cloudy 300 days a year with alot of snow.

[jeanbee22]

I think it all depends on what you are looking for in a life style. If you like fast paced, a lot of people, and access to "everything" then Warren is probably not for you. But ...on the other hand if you like a quiet life style,low cost of living, access to some of God's most beautiful surroundings then Warren is perfect. As far as jobs, the area is rich in lumber and oil(my husband works for a local oil and gas company). It is only a short drive to Buffalo, NY, Erie, Pa, and Pittsburg Pa.
We will be moving there within the next year...if that tells you anything.

[colorman]

Warren is not the kind of place you move to, just hoping to find a job. (I don't know where that other place would be, though.) If you can find a job here without having to move first, I can't think of a better move. We are buffered from the official snow belt of the great lakes and Buffalo by the surrounding hills, and prevailing winds which do not really bring the same snow to us very often. It is not cloudy 300 days out of the year as Dingler mentioned. It has been sparklingly clear here lately while 8" of rain flooded out places just north of New York City last few days. The climate is neither terribly hot nor cold, and is a lot less cloudy and bearable weatherwise than where I moved from on the east coast. There is an oil refinery in town which while you rarely smell it (the prevailing wind carries the emissions away from town), probably is a health hazard, albeit while providing good-paying jobs. I moved here several years ago and despite jobs evaporating because of the new global economy, still find it the best move I have made. And I have lived in six different states. It is just a small town, and fairly well removed from anywhere else, as it is on no major highways, railroads, or close to major airports. But the place is civic-minded and strives to provide things we come to expect in much larger cities - alternative film series, live theatre, arts organizations, non-profit art gallery, coffee shops, concert series, local jam sessions, free outdoor music in the summer downtown and so on. So if you want to find an idyllic (and beautiful to be sure) place to raise your family or a business, this is a great place for that.

[Icy Tea]

I drove through Warren two years ago on the way to the Kinzua Dam. It had a relatively nice downtown, small but historic with some amenities. Nice river view, nice mountains. Route 6 was kinda pricey with gas, being a tourist road.
Land and houses are cheap up that way, for sure. It's a shame the Kinzua Bridge collapsed before it could be saved, I really wanted to see it.

[Switch625]

To clarify, I am single and have no children. A job is not an issue, as I am disabled. I draw a Social Security disability pension, and I have a Section 8 voucher. Low cost of living and decent amenities. It does sound like a good town so far. How about crime?

[jeanbee22]

What Crime?!?! haha...I would suggest contacting the local sheriff's office and they can give you a better idea. It has it's pocket areas but the vast majority of the area is crime free. If we had small children we would have no fear in raising them here.
You can read the local newspaper on line...this might give you a better feel for the area. The Times Observer, Warren, Pennsylvania .
I did read a few months ago that Warren Co. was selected as the 2nd best place to live in the country by a magazine. Warren County, Pennsylvania
Hope this helps.

[mjkk2001]

We are getting a lot of new places here. The Warren Commons just opened. We have Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Mauirces, Sally Beauty Supply, Dollar tree in that area. We also now have a Bob Evans and will be getting Applebee's very soon.

We aren't that far from the New York border, about 22 miles. You can go to Jamestown, New York, birthplace of Lucy.

You can get most everywhere either by walking, driving, or taking a bus. It is a small town of about 10,000 people. It just depends on what you are looking for.

[glvh]

The great things about Warren:
1) Very affordable housing
2) Friendly people
3) Good schools
4) Can walk everywhere in town
5) Beautiful forest everywhere
6) Great hiking, snowmobiling, boating, hunting, hunting, and hunting

The problems with Warren:
1) Your house will hardly appreciate
2) Gasoline prices are stupid considering the refinery is right in town.
3) The refinery is right in town and it smells like it from the moment you get into town until the moment you leave
4) Average wages are terrible. If you can get a decent mid level or higher job you can do very well in Warren.
5) Some residents are very racist. When I moved to Warren I was told by several people that I would like it there because they only had three black families in town and kept others from moving in. I know of a business where customers walked out and refused to return untill the owner got rid of a black cashier.