Altoona/Johnstown (Pittsburgh, State College, Indiana: home, school district, university)

[Elkman]

Hello All, I am researching possible areas to move my family and I'm looking at the Altoona or Johnstown area. Any feedback you can give me for those who live there or have? I've been to PA a few times but never to these areas. It's a gorgeous state and I'm an outdoors person. My research so far has me battling either moving out West or to PA. The idea though of living near the East Coast scares me which has me leaning more moving out West to like Montana/Idaho/Utah/Wyoming. Should I reconsider PA?

[Cosmic Charlie]

where you living now? The east isn't scary, and Altoona is far from the "east coast." It is a nice town right in the appalachians. Not much of an economy though. However, that is probably the same about the other states you mentioned.

[Elkman]

I'm in Indiana, not much to do here except watch corn grow. I like PA because of the mountains and other outdoor activities. Fall sure is pretty there too. Just looking for a good town to raise my family. My current town is becoming sour or I should say the people are. Now I know it isn't any better elsewhere but the fewer the sour grapes the better.

[twinmma]

I lived in Altoona and hated it. Move to State College which is 30-40 minutes away and home to Penn State

[Elkman]

and how is State College? I sure would like to see a Penn State game there.

[twinmma]

LOVE St COllege. ALways something to do and it is clean and lots of jobs with the university being there. I lived there for some time and the only reason I am not living there now is b/c of my husbands job being in VA. Beautiful place and it is up and coming. There is the Bryce Jordan (sp?) center as well that hosts concerts and such.
Just a great place. Not big, but not too small. AND, not much crime. Altoona is becoming bad due to drugs and such. I went to high school there and a lot of my family is still there and I HATE going back to visit.

[Elkman]

Thanks for the info. I will put State College on my list to research for moving or at least visiting. Go State! Tough Michigan loss though.

[twinmma]

One more thing-Johnstown is just as bad as Altoona. If you must move near there, then look for outside towns such as Bellwood, which is near Altoona. So, there you would be close to shopping and such but in the Bellwood school district. But, you don't want in the Tyrone school district, so you have to be careful. Find a good RE agent and tell them what you want. Oh, Hollidaysburg is another good choice if you want near Altoona but without being in altoona. GOOD LUCK!

[Cosmic Charlie]

I grew up in Duncansville right outside of Altoona. I also lived in State College. Duncansville and Holidaysburg was nice. They were very peaceful towns with the mountains in the background. The problem with Altoona is the town of Altoona is pretty bad. However, towns outside of it are very nice, but you have to like a small town. If you are into concerts, sports, museums, etc. then Altoona is a bad choice. If you do that stuff once in a blue moon there is always Pittsburgh 2 and a half to the west, or State College an hour to the north. State College gets some events with there being so many students. It also has football as already mentioned.

[505ci]

Avoid Johnstown. It's not a nice place at all.