Western vs Eastern PA (Altoona, Johnstown: crimes, camping, bars)

[Mayorjacks]

I would lop the Lehigh Valley and Berks with the Philadelphia area in map 2. It feels like it's more southeast then Northeast. plus When you are heading north from Philadelphia, it doesn't really get rural until you pass Blue Mountain. don't get me wrong there are rural parts of Montgomery and Bucks between LV and Philadelphia but in general, the mountains and rural farms and small towns being the biggest town for miles isn't there until you pass blue mountain. The LV still imo is too urban to be lopped into the Northeast mountains.

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by Mayorjacks

I would lop the Lehigh Valley and Berks with the Philadelphia area in map 2. It feels like it's more southeast then Northeast. plus When you are heading north from Philadelphia, it doesn't really get rural until you pass Blue Mountain. don't get me wrong there are rural parts of Montgomery and Bucks between LV and Philadelphia but in general, the mountains and rural farms and small towns being the biggest town for miles isn't there until you pass blue mountain. The LV still imo is too urban to be lopped into the Northeast mountains.

I agree that if you are driving on Rt. 309, it may well seem that Lehigh County is a continuation of the Philly suburban area, but just go five miles to the West and you'll be in farmland. Anyway, I was talking more abstractly about the non-city feel of Lehigh and Berks county. I spent a few hours yesterday at the Kutztown Folk Festival (Berks county) and had several conversations with strangers, something that happens pretty often in my town in Lehigh county, but not so much when we were living in Chester or Delaware county. I guess I just don't want to be lumped in with the city folk!

[JimboPGH]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Fair point. I'd make some minor alterations to the first map (e.g., toss Berks in with the greater Philly cluster), but it's a decent general approximation.

Yeah, Berks should go with Greater Philly. Otherwise, I think the first map is spot on, although I'm not qualified to comment on whether the NW corner, the "Great Lakes Region," should be separate from the rest of the rural snowbelt.

[pman]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I agree that if you are driving on Rt. 309, it may well seem that Lehigh County is a continuation of the Philly suburban area, but just go five miles to the West and you'll be in farmland. Anyway, I was talking more abstractly about the non-city feel of Lehigh and Berks county. I spent a few hours yesterday at the Kutztown Folk Festival (Berks county) and had several conversations with strangers, something that happens pretty often in my town in Lehigh county, but not so much when we were living in Chester or Delaware county. I guess I just don't want to be lumped in with the city folk!

yes conversations with strangers never happen in philadelphia area

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by pman

yes conversations with strangers never happen in philadelphia area

And on that note, I'll just go back to my first comment on what a lovely state we have!

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by pman

yes conversations with strangers never happen in philadelphia area

Yes -- I honestly don't know where this "rude" perception of Philadelphians comes from. My experience has been that natives are some of the most down-to-earth and affable people you'll ever meet.

At any rate, I think it's also important to recognize that, in this day and age with mobility being so common -- people are generally people. Many current Philadelphians (or residents of the metro area), in fact, grew up in small towns all over the state and, vice versa, many Philadelphians have left the city behind for a piece of small town life. In sum, we such are a fluid society that people cannot be defined based on where they live/came from.

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by Duderino

Yes -- I honestly don't know where this "rude" perception of Philadelphians comes from. My experience has been that natives are some of the most down-to-earth and affable people you'll ever meet.

At any rate, I think it's also important to recognize that, in this day and age with mobility being so common -- people are generally people. Many current Philadelphians (or residents of the metro area), in fact, grew up in small towns all over the state and, vice versa, many Philadelphians have left the city behind for a piece of small town life. In sum, we such are a fluid society that people cannot be defined based on where they live/came from.

You'll notice that I said nothing about Philadelphia people being unfriendly. I mentioned that people in my area seemed to be more friendly than when we lived in Delaware and Chester counties. I generally agree that if you are nice to people (wherever you are) they will treat you in kind.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

You'll notice that I said nothing about Philadelphia people being unfriendly. I mentioned that people in my area seemed to be more friendly than when we lived in Delaware and Chester counties. I generally agree that if you are nice to people (wherever you are) they will treat you in kind.

Understood, and I didn't mean to single you out by any means. Just addressing what I've perceived as a common sentiment on city-data (and hear in real life).

[pcardiff]

There are definite sociological, economic and geographical differences between western and eastern PA, and history has played a great part. Crossing the Appalachians was not as easy in 1776 as it is today. Because of this, there was almost a 14th colony - Westsylvania, composed of Pittsburgh and the corner, WV and VA - look it up. Pittsburgh was West in the real sense, just like Michigan called itself West in 1838. (Champions of the West!)
I lived in both sides - Johnstown and Reading - people in the west are much more friendly, less harsh, maybe less sophisticated, as the east takes it's cue from Philly and the NY conurbation. People in PA have a specific accent that is recognized as either east or west. People change domiciles much less frequently in wPA than eastern PA. There are many other things that make a clear difference between east and west, but those are the main things I have noticed, and these are MY opinions, only.

[RIPtheDean]

I grew up in Eastern PA and loved it (Chester and Lancaster County areas), but I must say the western part of the state has some fantastic country. PA is a huge state and has a lot to offer, you can not compare the west to the east (it is apples to oranges).

Conculsion: PA is a beautiful state and I could live in the east or west.