Moving to Altoona, a few questions....

[MghtyRoach]

Momof3PA -- I suggest that you come to Altoona one weeked and drive around. I'd love to be able to give you streets and neighbourhoods you should stay away from, but the street-name situation in Altoona is mindboggling at best, and neighbourhoods can vary from block to block. Juniata, as was mentioned before, has a very bad repuation in its densest section, but the northern (or eastern if you're a traditionalist) section of Juniata can be quite nice.

Altoona is where you can very easily judge a book by its cover as far as neighbourhoods go. There are, of course, deviations from the perceived norm. As was also mentioned before, drug problems can also exist in a nice neighbourhood. As far as living in Altoona goes, I would personally suggest El Dorado (in the southern part of the city, typically between 40th and 58th Streets. I can assure you, however, no matter where you go in the city, it isn't so bad that you have to worry about being harassed.

MrKrabs -- I would imagine that if you only passed through Altoona, you actually passed through Logan Township, which has become well built-up and well-managed. The problem is that what you've seen have either been pushed out of the city or have been deterred from moving within city limits in the first place. This has, of course, come back and bitten City Hall in the arse by denying the city revenue that could be used to maintain the infrastructure, particularly in the older, more crowded parts of the city. Guess where most of the city's crime problems exist.

[ATB]

I know Altoona very well as it is my husband's home town. His family has lived there for generations. Over the last 35 years, I have seen the downtown complete its decline, the mall partially burned down, rebuilt and expanded, and a number of new shopping centers grow up around the periphery of town. It really is the shopping mecca for all of the surrounding countryside (small towns all around).
There are some efforts by local citizens organizations to provide cultural experiences. Baker's Mansion is a beautiful old house in a park like neighborhood, well maintained with nice local history programs. The downtown Mishler Theatre, an old vaudeville theatre, has been beautifully restored and features touring company and local productions. There are a few very nice restaurants and lots of chain restaurants along with neighborhood bars that serve simple, delicious food.
If it weren't so darn cold out there, I would seriously consider moving there from NJ when we retire, but it does get a fair bit of snow and ice. That being said, my husband has absolutely no desire to go "home". The neighborhoods within the city are not as nice as the ones further out. A lot of the older homes in my husband's old neighborhood (by the Jaffa Mosque) are being purchased by absentee landlords, so the population has become somewhat transient and the houses don't show the care they once did. The layout of the town is really strange, built as it is all around the railroad tracks, which can make for very interesting driving.
I agree with previous postings that the Hollidaysburg and Bellwood schools are better. (Actually, if you can afford it, Hollidaysburg would be a really nice place to live.) I would probably not choose to send my children to school in Altoona now, although I have to say that my husband got an excellent education there in the late 50's through the 60's -- much more of a classical education than I got in affluent suburuban NJ. From what I can tell just by observing how the children of friends there have done in college recently, if your child is able to qualify for honors or AP courses at the high school, they will be well prepared, but that is probably true anywhere.
State College, PA, where the main campus of Penn State is located, is very nice and a little under an hour away. Pittsburgh is about 2.5 hours away.
I don't think Altoona's decline is related to any kind of popularion diverification in terms of race, although it is true that it is pretty homgeneous = WASPy. It is becoming a little more common to see African American, Asian or Hispanic people in Altoona, although, deplorably, interracial couples still raise the eyebrows of some people I know there.
I think that people moved away because there are not very many employers there, most of the factories are non-union, and the railroad, which used to be the biggest employer, has closed most of their shops. Check out the median age of the population and I believe you will find it is pretty old.
I have a lot of affection for Altoona, it really is a place like no other, but doesn't exactly welcome outsiders. If, however, you do find professional employment there (at the Altoona Penn State Campus or one of the local hospitals) you will probably meet some very nice people and have good social opportunities.
Good luck!

[mcorrales]

I moved to the Altoona area from Southern California and have seen very little crime here. I have heard that the "downtown" area of Holidaysburg has a drug problem, a shame if true, cause the houses there are old and gorgeous. I came last May to look for a home and bought a good size house (4 bedrooms, 3 baths on a half acre) in the small town of Gallitzin (15-20 minutes to Altoona by way of Sugar Run (gorgeous drive whatever season it is), and I love it here. Penn Cambria School District that my bi-racial step granddaughter loves and is excelling in seems like a great school district. No discrimination that I have seen, and I am an Irish-red head and when I take her with me, no odd looks, etc. The people in Gallitzin and nearby Cresson (charming small town, lots of nice older well-kept homes) are wonderful, welcoming, but not pushy and not in your business. In spite of the cold, I would never consider moving back to California. We all love it here.

[PATRAIN]

My wife and I moved to Altoona in Jan of 06' and moved out in oct. of the same year. We purchased a house near mansion park and loved the people. However, it is riddled with petty crime along with more serious stuff.
Our home overlooked the valley and we loved it. Within 6 months we had our lawn mower stolen, our flag on the front of the house and some small items. Cars were often broken into. And who can ever forget the police raids on houses..... we witnessed 2 near our street...and we were in a good section.
Stay close to Holidaysburg or go north towards State College. Unfortunately 600.00 a month will probably put you near the hospital at the north end....stay away from that area....... P.S. Gallitzin would not be comparable to Altoona.....it's very nice