Fell in love with Pa (Erie, York: to rent, wedding, theater)

[76sunshine]

My family went to PA for our spring vacation. My husband has wated to move there ever since I have k nown him. He has alot of family there, being a lifetime Florida girl, I was sure I would absolutly hate it/1 LOL Well, I fell in love. I love everything about it, at least the things we come in contact with the 10 days we were there. We stayed with family in Waterford, also in Union City and Cory. Being from the Orlando area my whole life, it was such a drastic change of pace for me. SO we have decided to go ahhead and make the move, although, I have never even been in the snow, I am very excited.

So any info on where we should look for housing, Our plan is to rent at first, hubby already has a job lined up and, I just made a post about colleges.
We have a two year old and a ten year old, so I am also interested in Elemntary schools, and things to do with the kids, I notices thre were alot of things to do in Erie, but tell me aobut the "secret spots" in this area.

so what are the good/bad things you would like to share about the Eria area in PA?

Thanks

[Rtom45]

Do a search for Erie on this site. All your questions will be answered. Waterford is a great little town within easy commute of Erie. That is the Fort LeBeouf school district. Presque Isle is a great tourist attraction, but has a lot to offer local people also. If you or your husband enjoy fishing, "Steelhead Alley" along the Great lakes is famous world wide. Titusville and Oil City to the south are the birthplace of the oil industry in the United States. Drake Well park in Titusville is a relaxing and educational place to visit. The local Colleges (Penn State - Behrend, Mercyhurst, Gannon, Edinboro, and Alleghany) all have lots going on. Fall is a great season. The downside is a long, cloudy, snowy winter.

[Ohiogirl81]

so I am also interested in Elemntary schools

Honestly, I don't see any one of the county schools as being better than the other. I've got friends with kids in nearly every school system in the county, and they all seem to be conducting themselves quite nicely.

and things to do with the kids,

Get a zoo membership; they're not expensive. Waldameer Park's Ravine Flyer II is set to open this summer (*fingers crossed*). If you have bikes, the peninsula is great for biking; you can also rent them there. Asbury Woods is wonderful for kids and adults. If you get tired of Lake Erie (!), there's Pymantuning Lake or Chautaqua Lake (in New York) not far away. Panama Rocks, also just over the line in New York, is amazing. There's a buffalo farm in Edinboro that my niece and nephew like to visit when they're in town. Think the kids would want to learn to ski? Or play pee-wee hockey?

tell me aobut the "secret spots" in this area

I think one of Erie's best secrets is the variety of community theater. There is always something going on. The colleges also provide a wide variety of cultural "stuff" as well. For the adults, try a day at the wineries in North East.

There's been some trouble about who's running this park, but down near Titusville is a wonderful little park (not so little) called Two Mile Run County Park. It's got a beach and fabulous hiking trails.

[kpoeppel]

From Florida? Hmmm...we'll see if you still like it in about 10 months...

[jfeagin]

Originally Posted by kpoeppel

From Florida? Hmmm...we'll see if you still like it in about 10 months...

My thoughts exactly... Snow gets old after the second time. Also, the cold and gray start dragging. Year after year... I tend to get really depressed about 2/3 of the year here... But hey, if you like it, that great. My old man likes the "seasons". I freakin hate them. The only season I like is Summer... Anything under 70 is chilly to me... That is why my wife and I are going to move to FL... PA is a great place if you like the weather... BTW word of advice... before you move spend two weeks here in Jan...

John

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by jfeagin

My thoughts exactly... Snow gets old after the second time. Also, the cold and gray start dragging. Year after year... I tend to get really depressed about 2/3 of the year here... But hey, if you like it, that great. My old man likes the "seasons". I freakin hate them. The only season I like is Summer... Anything under 70 is chilly to me... That is why my wife and I are going to move to FL... PA is a great place if you like the weather... BTW word of advice... before you move spend two weeks here in Jan...

John

It keeps from getting old. It's boring to have relatively similar weather all year round. It's a nice mix here.

[jfeagin]

Originally Posted by Marodi

It keeps from getting old. It's boring to have relatively similar weather all year round. It's a nice mix here.

That's your opinion and you are entitled to it. Many people feel the same way, including some of my loved ones. I love the outdoors and the sun. PA and the mid-atlantic in general is not the most sunny spot on the planet, that is for sure. For me... I am more healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually during the summer. I have one life, you got to do what you have to do have to do. Frankly, nothing will have me come back up here to visit family or anything between late October to early June unless somebody dies or there is a wedding. Again, some folks love it, I don't. To each their own, live and let live and the other cliches.

John

[76sunshine]

Thanks everyone, as for the weather, try living in the heat all year round, its no fun either, half the time, its too hot to do anything outside for a long period of time. I hate it here. So hopefully, I will like or at least be able to tolerate the winters up there. If not, its never too late to go somehwere else! And yes absolutly its different with everyone, I have a cousin in Pa who wishes it were winter all year round. I know of plenty of people who would kill him if his wish came true!

Thanks for the ideas!

[jfeagin]

Originally Posted by 76sunshine

Thanks everyone, as for the weather, try living in the heat all year round, its no fun either, half the time, its too hot to do anything outside for a long period of time. I hate it here. So hopefully, I will like or at least be able to tolerate the winters up there. If not, its never too late to go somehwere else! And yes absolutly its different with everyone, I have a cousin in Pa who wishes it were winter all year round. I know of plenty of people who would kill him if his wish came true!

Thanks for the ideas!

Kill would be to harsh of a thing, pummel with snowballs... maybe. As for living in the heat all year long... Been there, done that (Northern Brazil down the road from the Amazon w/no AC) and want to go back. Again, PA is a nice place if you can deal with the weather. My father is one who likes the winter... It is easy to do when you don't have to shovel snow, scrape ice, drive on the ice. Wake up at 5AM to shiver until the car heats up. I really hope you enjoy it here... There is a lot to love and do... in the summer

John

[Ohiogirl81]

When I lived in Cleveland/Erie, I took up cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Embrace the winter.