What Should We Do With Reading/Berks County in the Future in Terms of this Forum? (Philadelphia: transplants, how much)

[ScranBarre]

I know this may be very long-range forecasting, but I've been noticing more and more activity as of late regarding South Central Pennsylvania. If forum traffic continues, it might be beneficial to create a "South Central Pennsylvania" sub-forum in mid-to-late-2008.

I already firmly believe that the following areas and counties should be included in this eventual sub-forum when forum traffic finally warrants its creation:

Adams County (Gettysburg): Pop. 101,105
Cumberland County (Carlisle/Camp Hill): Pop. 226,117
Dauphin County (Harrisburg/Hershey): Pop. 254,176
Lancaster County (Lancaster): Pop. 494,486
Lebanon County (Lebanon): Pop. 126,883
York County (York/Hanover): Pop. 416,322
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Proposed South Central PA Sub-Forum: Pop. 1,619,089

This would encompass roughly 13.0% of the state's population.

All six of these counties are very rapidly growing. From 2000-2006, here is how much this region has grown just go give you a better insight:

Adams County: +9,813
Cumberland County: +12,443
Dauphin County: +2,378
Lancaster County: +23,828
Lebanon County: +6,556
York County: +34,571
=========================================
South Central PA Growth: +89,589 or +14,932/yr.

Much of this growth is being fueled by Marylanders moving north into the Keystone State in search of inexpensive housing in ideal commuter locations in York and Adams Counties. The other counties are becoming popular with other out-of-state transplants.

Herein lies my dilemma---what do we do about nearby Berks County (Reading Area?) At just 401,149 residents, it doesn't have enough of a population to merit its own sub-forum. Douglass Township and other points to the south and east of Reading have aligned themselves as new exurbs of Philadelphia. Berks County itself was officially annexed recently as part of the Philadelphia CSA, as per the U.S. Census Bureau. However one can argue that Berks County has ties to the Lehigh Valley and South Central PA, as well as Philadelphia. If and when this South Central PA sub-forum is created, should Berks County be included? It's stuck all by itself in the middle of the maddening crowd---Schuylkill County is part of the NEPA sub-forum, Lehigh County is part of the Lehigh Valley sub-forum, Chester and Montgomery Counties are part of the Philadelphia sub-forum, and Lancaster and Lebanon Counties would be part of that proposed new sub-forum. It's literally an island all by itself, is it not?

What are your opinions?

[ChrisatDuke]

Yeah, I think Reading/Berks is in a category of its own. Reading has more ties to the Philadelphia area than anything else, even though I don't really think it's a Philly burb. I wouldn't say it's part of the Lehigh Valley, and it certainly isn't Central PA. Maybe if the Philly sub-forum was changed to "Philadelphia & Southeast PA." I think a Harrisburg/Central PA sub-forum is a good idea.

[Duderino]

Reading definitely continues to align with the Philadelphia area as sprawl and development encroaches westward and Berks County commuters continue to look to the Philly 'burbs for jobs. Thus, it's without a doubt part of Southeastern PA, as opposed to South Central PA. Although Reading is still considered its own entity by many, I think including "& Southeast PA" or "& Reading Area" to the Philly sub-forum is probably the best route to avoid confusion for prospective transplants.

[boardmanite]

Why doesn't South Central PA have its own sub-folder? Seems like the population is about even with Scranton/WB area and the Lehigh Valley.

Let's make a sub-folder for South Central PA and one for Erie PA and then just merge the rest of the Pennsylvania folder with Alabama...

[hc7612]

It seems that Reading/Berks. County should have its own sub-forum. Like the others, I agree that I think we are more aligned with Philly than with places like York or Harrisburg. Just a thought. Nice that you are thinking of this. I have started to notice more and more questions directed at the Berks. County area. Which is a great sign.

[toobusytoday]

Or, just leave it be for now. Do any of you people that voted actually live in Reading/Berks area? Why is it a dilemma? Maybe only people that live in that area or are thinking of moving to that area should be allowed to vote>

[JerzBoy]

I think the Philadelphia Forum should be changed to Philadelphia and SE PA which would include Berks County. I've noticed alot of people moving into Philly Burbs such as Chester, Montco, and Bucks that don't know to post on the Philly Forum.

[Rosanne]

Just a quick question - would Allentown and the Lehigh Valley be considered Southeast PA, Central PA, Eastern PA or what? Thanks much.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by Rosanne

Just a quick question - would Allentown and the Lehigh Valley be considered Southeast PA, Central PA, Eastern PA or what? Thanks much.

It's most definitely Eastern PA, but I think most people would express reservations about including it in Southeast PA or Northeast PA. I'd call the the Lehigh Valley East Central PA, if that makes any sense.

[ChrisatDuke]

Originally Posted by Rosanne

Just a quick question - would Allentown and the Lehigh Valley be considered Southeast PA, Central PA, Eastern PA or what? Thanks much.

Central-Eastern?? I'm creating new terms here. I would definately consider it Eastern PA. I think Southeast is a bit of a stretch, but then again, most of the region has a 610 area code.