hazelton or johnstown which is better/worse in your opinion? (Philadelphia: crime, employment)

[112]

just curious as to get a general opinion of both of these cities, which have the the worst employment picture of each half of the state respectively

[HappyRider]

Frankly, I don't know how they are even comparable.

[Craziaskowboi]

I'd guess that Hazleton has a better chance of surviving than Johnstown. It's located near the junction of I-80 and I-81, and it's only a two-hour drive from Philadelphia and New York. If population growth in eastern Pennsylvania becomes more consistent north of Blue Mountain, then I think Hazleton is in a good spot, both literally and figuratively.

As for Johnstown, it's very isolated by comparison. Pittsburgh is only an hour away, but it's not nearly as big as Philadelphia or New York, and whatever revitalization is happening in Pittsburgh hasn't even helped the entire metropolitan area, let alone western Pennsylvania at large. In fact, the city and Allegheny County appear to be the only real beneficiaries here.

Johnstown isn't very well-connected either; U.S. 22 passes too far north, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike passes too far south. U.S. 219 serves Johnstown, but it's a north/south highway that connects to nothing in particular. Of all the cities in Pennsylvania, I think Johnstown will be the last to revitalize, if it ever does.

[Ohiogirl81]

I have never been to Hazelton or known anyone who lives or works there; therefore, I cannot make an informed comparison.

I'd be willing to bet that few people who regularly post here are familiar enough with both cities to do so.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

I have never been to Hazelton or known anyone who lives or works there; therefore, I cannot make an informed comparison.

I'd be willing to bet that few people who regularly post here are familiar enough with both cities to do so.

I grew up a half-hour from Hazleton and now live an hour from Johnstown. I was in Hazleton semi-frequently and have only been to Johnstown twice (with plans for a third trip in the next two weeks).

Gnutella nailed it. Johnstown is extremely isolated when compared to Hazleton, and while a huge chunk of Pittsburgh is rapidly gentrifying there are still neighborhoods within the city proper as well as inner suburbs (Braddock, anyone?!) that are in extreme distress. Johnstown wouldn't have a shot at leeching off of Pittsburgh's success until Pittsburgh realized its fullest potential, which won't be for generations.

[villageidiot1]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

I'd guess that Hazleton has a better chance of surviving than Johnstown. It's located near the junction of I-80 and I-81, and it's only a two-hour drive from Philadelphia and New York. If population growth in eastern Pennsylvania becomes more consistent north of Blue Mountain, then I think Hazleton is in a good spot, both literally and figuratively.

As for Johnstown, it's very isolated by comparison. Pittsburgh is only an hour away, but it's not nearly as big as Philadelphia or New York, and whatever revitalization is happening in Pittsburgh hasn't even helped the entire metropolitan area, let alone western Pennsylvania at large. In fact, the city and Allegheny County appear to be the only real beneficiaries here.

Johnstown isn't very well-connected either; U.S. 22 passes too far north, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike passes too far south. U.S. 219 serves Johnstown, but it's a north/south highway that connects to nothing in particular. Of all the cities in Pennsylvania, I think Johnstown will be the last to revitalize, if it ever does.

I'm very familar with Johnstown and I agree with everything you said except that it is even more isolated than what you said. Johnstown to downtown Pittsburgh is a minimum 1:20 minute drive with no traffic. With rush traffic in or out of Pittsburgh, it can easily take 2 hours. When Route 22 became four lanes, they added numerous traffic lights to that road. There are also stretches where the speed limit is 45 MPH. Route 56 or Route 403 into Johnstown are two lane roads with lots of coal trucks.

U.S. 219 is one of the best roads in the state that gets little traffic. As you mentioned, it doesn't go anywhere. The four lane section connects Somerset to Ebensburg.

John Murtha did everything he could to bring government contracts to Johnstown. Now that he is gone, that business is slowly disappearing.

[ki0eh]

Hazleton has successful industrial parks due to its highway connectivity and at least initially availability of labor transitioning from mining. That labor has now transitioned to more recent immigrants. I hear secondhand they have some difficulty attracting high-skill folks to the area to work in them though.

Johnstown is much higher on the scenic scale. There is nothing in Hazleton that compares to Old Westmont. It is poorly served by transportation links that succeeded the canal and railroad. It will be decades longer outside the metro corridor economic penumbra.

[112]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

I'd guess that Hazleton has a better chance of surviving than Johnstown. It's located near the junction of I-80 and I-81, and it's only a two-hour drive from Philadelphia and New York. If population growth in eastern Pennsylvania becomes more consistent north of Blue Mountain, then I think Hazleton is in a good spot, both literally and figuratively.

As for Johnstown, it's very isolated by comparison. Pittsburgh is only an hour away, but it's not nearly as big as Philadelphia or New York, and whatever revitalization is happening in Pittsburgh hasn't even helped the entire metropolitan area, let alone western Pennsylvania at large. In fact, the city and Allegheny County appear to be the only real beneficiaries here.

Johnstown isn't very well-connected either; U.S. 22 passes too far north, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike passes too far south. U.S. 219 serves Johnstown, but it's a north/south highway that connects to nothing in particular. Of all the cities in Pennsylvania, I think Johnstown will be the last to revitalize, if it ever does.

great answer and true. to the person who said not comparable i beg to differ, hazleton has the illegal problems and the highest unemployment rate, and johnstown while it has a lower unemployment rate (by the books anyway) has more shuttered businesses and filth then everywhere else ive seen. hazleton while in the better location has more crime problems. And the part about getting to 22 from jtown is the problem with it imo. quickest way into Pitt is 403 to 22 and thats not pretty. even living along 22 in armagh is a manageable commute into Pitt because its just highway

[pman]

"illegals"arent a problem in johnstown because theres no reason to go there

[firehaz1]

Looking to move to Hazleton from Philly. What is it like?