Moving to Meadville ... any tips?

[GGWOODY]

Originally Posted by joemoedee

I did the opposite, I moved from Meadville to Georgia.

The weather is a big factor. It's pretty cloudy most of the time, and the winters are quite harsh. If you like our mild winter down here... you'll be miserable there.

The attitude? Being new in the area isn't always too enduring on the locals. There's a big disparity between the haves, and the have-nots. A lot of the "good ole boy" network occurs there, which is what you'll have in most smaller areas, I'd assume.

Another misconception is its cheap to live there, it's really not. Utilities are outrageous. (I'm talking, 400-500 a month on natural gas in the Winter. If you're lucky.) Taxes are pretty high vs property value. The best comparison I saw was comparing Erie to Atlanta, on the Erie Times News website. The cost of living in Erie was actually higher than in Atlanta. That's pretty insane.

The biggest factor that I'd weigh is, if for some reason you lose this particular job... good luck finding another. Opportunities are not readily available as the area is not growing, and is experiencing a population decline.

For me personally, if I was independantly wealthy, I'd consider it. For my current situation? Not a chance.

Thanks for the response guys. I really appreciate it. I'm not too worried about what would happen if I lost the job, because the type of work I do is not readily available in most places, i.e., It's very uncommon, and no matter what I would have to move in order to keep the same line of work.

I certainly don't miss the nasty GA summers, and I do like it colder in the winter...just not used to a whole lot of snow.

I remember reading in another of your posts about the cost-of-living being high. That's disturbing that they are so much higher than Atlanta! That's an insane amount for Gas service! Would drive me to get a biomass fuel furnace.

As for decent areas to look for a house, I saw Franklin mentioned and Greenville; any other communities that stand out?

If I end up moving there, I hope none of them good ol' boys key my Toyota Tundra. I'm pretty down to earth like most rural folks...just not at all redneck.

[joemoedee]

Originally Posted by GGWOODY

Thanks for the response guys. I really appreciate it. I'm not too worried about what would happen if I lost the job, because the type of work I do is not readily available in most places, i.e., It's very uncommon, and no matter what I would have to move in order to keep the same line of work.

I certainly don't miss the nasty GA summers, and I do like it colder in the winter...just not used to a whole lot of snow.

I remember reading in another of your posts about the cost-of-living being high. That's disturbing that they are so much higher than Atlanta! That's an insane amount for Gas service! Would drive me to get a biomass fuel furnace.

As for decent areas to look for a house, I saw Franklin mentioned and Greenville; any other communities that stand out?

If I end up moving there, I hope none of them good ol' boys key my Toyota Tundra. I'm pretty down to earth like most rural folks...just not at all redneck.

That sounds good about your job, so that shouldn't be much of a worry for you.

The summers can be a bit humid, but not the constant heat that we get down there.

Cost of living, really revolves around your utilities. I believe it's something like 125% of the national average. (Natural Gas is expensive, and it takes a lot to heat a house in 10 degree temperature) Housing can be cheap.

As far as the attitude toward outsiders, it's not an aggressive one by any means. More of a snub than anything else. However, if your job allows you to really get into the area and meet a bunch of people, you'll probably do fine. Crime is really low. It's a laid back lifestyle, much different than even where I am currently. Traffic, nonexistent. If you like the outdoors, there's tons of it to explore. Schools are pretty good, too.

Honestly, the lifestyle seems more typical "southern" than Georgia is nowadays (At least, anywhere within 60 miles of Atlanta).

Greenville? Eh, not so much. Franklin, I never spent much time there so I can't speak too much on it. However, if your job is in Meadville... Live in or around Meadville for Winter travel alone. They do a good job of keeping the roads clear, but there's enough livable areas around there that I wouldn't willingly place myself that far away from work.

If you like older homes, there's plenty of neat ones to be found. You can get some land if you stay out of Meadville "City" and look toward the outlying townships, like West Mead, East Mead, etc. I even know where you can get a 19th Century 3 Bed/1 Bath Farmhouse on 5.5 acres in desirable West Mead Township for a good deal! (My parents have been contemplating moving for years now)

I'd recommend taking a trip there, taking it in for a few days, and seeing if it meets your needs.

[sr1234]

Originally Posted by joemoedee

As far as the attitude toward outsiders, it's not an aggressive one by any means. More of a snub than anything else. However, if your job allows you to really get into the area and meet a bunch of people, you'll probably do fine. Crime is really low. It's a laid back lifestyle, much different than even where I am currently. Traffic, nonexistent. If you like the outdoors, there's tons of it to explore. Schools are pretty good, too.

I'd recommend taking a trip there, taking it in for a few days, and seeing if it meets your needs.

I would say that the snub towards outsiders tends to be driven by the distrust of citydwellers who move to the area for the rural life and then want to change everything. We are looking to move back to the area from Pittsburgh. You want to talk about some rude and mean people! We try to go back to visit as much as possible.

There are a lot of educated people in the area, the backwoods redneck stereotype gets thrown around too much in PA. There are several universities in the area, Meadville has Allegheny College.

I would agree and suggest living as close to Meadville as possible. 20 miles can sometimes be over twice as long a trip in deep snow or ice.

Definately drive around the area. There are a lot of nice little communities not mentioned on these forums.

[joemoedee]

Originally Posted by sr1234

I would say that the snub towards outsiders tends to be driven by the distrust of citydwellers who move to the area for the rural life and then want to change everything. We are looking to move back to the area from Pittsburgh. You want to talk about some rude and mean people! We try to go back to visit as much as possible.

There are a lot of educated people in the area, the backwoods redneck stereotype gets thrown around too much in PA. There are several universities in the area, Meadville has Allegheny College.

I would agree and suggest living as close to Meadville as possible. 20 miles can sometimes be over twice as long a trip in deep snow or ice.

Definately drive around the area. There are a lot of nice little communities not mentioned on these forums.

I was coming from NJ, maybe that had something to do with it! It was a bit of a shock for me, going from seeing the Philadelphia skyline from my house to getting the first day of Doe hunting season off from school.

It's not a backwoods kind of place, but its definitely not what one could classify as "city life", even if you live in Meadville proper. Looking back on it, it really wasn't that bad of a place to live. No place is utopia, and most are what you can make of it. Meadville isn't going to change for you, you need to change for it.

It really comes down to:

1. Finding a job
2. Dealing with the weather

Pluses include: Low crime, low housing prices, lots of universities in the area, low traffic, lots of outdoors activities, and a general safe feeling.

Minuses include: Snow and a lot of it (Could be a plus, depending on taste), limited job marketplace, high utility costs, fitting "in".

[pondjohn]

To anyone in Meadville, esp. Autobot if you are still there, our family is thinking about retiring next year and are considering relocating to Meadville due to a long family history there. We are looking for a place that is much cooler than Phoenix AZ, people are relatively friendly, senior type jobs are available, one of us is a RN and one a legal asst., the area is rural, we don't mind snow, and the cost of living is inexpensive (very important). What is the cost of heating during the winter and how about property taxes? Thanks for any replies in advance.

[paddogsfe]

Lots of drugs and bikers. Can't pay me enough to move back there. The weather sucks really bad too. Run for your life!!

[woodylsp]

Im from richmond Va,need to move anywhere in Pa.only need a small apt.already have a job ,need to do service in most of Pa.,would like a nice safe place,cheap rent but not rundown ,any suggestions
WOODY