The best cities in PA in order (excluding the big 2) (Philadelphia: low crime, private schools)

[Bwads31]

I was curious which cities in PA people consider the best. I say excluding the big 2 b/c it is not really fair to compare Philadelphia with Altoona.
I was thinking best cities with over like 30K in population for entertainment/nightlife, attractiveness of the downtown area, low crime, decent jobs, etc. Anything that makes a nice city. I was thinking like Harrisburg, Reading, Allentown, Scranton, Lancaster, York, Erie, Altoona, Wilkes-Barre, Bethlahem, Willamsport.
I don't really know which one people are going to consider the best but I would have to say Harrisburg and Lancaster would be pretty high.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by Bwads31

I was curious which cities in PA people consider the best. I say excluding the big 2 b/c it is not really fair to compare Philadelphia with Altoona.
I was thinking best cities with over like 30K in population for entertainment/nightlife, attractiveness of the downtown area, low crime, decent jobs, etc. Anything that makes a nice city. I was thinking like Harrisburg, Reading, Allentown, Scranton, Lancaster, York, Erie, Altoona, Wilkes-Barre, Bethlahem, Willamsport.
I don't really know which one people are going to consider the best but I would have to say Harrisburg and Lancaster would be pretty high.

I might be biased, but in terms of nightlife, Harrisburg is most certainly number one, possibly at a tie with State College. Harrisburg's 2nd street is lined with restaurants, nightclubs and bars that are sometimes overflowing with people on Friday and Saturday nights. There's also quite a strong gay nightlife scene as well, which can't be said for any other city outside of the big 2.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by danwxman

I might be biased, but in terms of nightlife, Harrisburg is most certainly number one, possibly at a tie with State College. Harrisburg's 2nd street is lined with restaurants, nightclubs and bars that are sometimes overflowing with people on Friday and Saturday nights. There's also quite a strong gay nightlife scene as well, which can't be said for any other city outside of the big 2.

Harrisburg has the most prosperous downtown of PA's smaller cities, but looking at quality of life, unless you're single and want to live downtown, Harrisburg is near unliveable. A lot of ghetto and lousy schools.

I would say that Scranton and Bethlehem would be tops for small-to-medium sized PA cities. State College may be a nice town with a good economy, but with a family, I would not really want to live in a college town.

I guess maybe you and I are looking at this question from two different viewpoints....you're looking from the viewpoint of someone young and single and looking for nightlife, I'm looking at it as a father and husband looking for the most liveable for families. So, yes, I guess Harrisburg and State College would be best for nightlife and singles.....Scranton and Bethlehem would be best for families.

[suburbanite1]

Harrisburg and Lancaster are pretty even as tops I would say. The choice would depend on what you like to do for entertainment and personal preference. For example if you are a big baseball fan Lancaster is better than Harrisburg but if nightlife is more important Harrisburg is a better choice. Restaurants are pretty even but Harrisburg tends to have more new ones opening frequently. Harrisburg is also an easier and shorter drive to Baltimore if you want to go "big city" occasionally.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

Harrisburg has the most prosperous downtown of PA's smaller cities, but looking at quality of life, unless you're single and want to live downtown, Harrisburg is near unliveable. A lot of ghetto and lousy schools.

I would say that Scranton and Bethlehem would be tops for small-to-medium sized PA cities. State College may be a nice town with a good economy, but with a family, I would not really want to live in a college town.

I guess maybe you and I are looking at this question from two different viewpoints....you're looking from the viewpoint of someone young and single and looking for nightlife, I'm looking at it as a father and husband looking for the most liveable for families. So, yes, I guess Harrisburg and State College would be best for nightlife and singles.....Scranton and Bethlehem would be best for families.

I am moving to midtown Harrisburg in June. I have a lot of friends in the area, and it is certainly a hot area for young professionals. But, there are actually a surprising number of middle class families who are living in midtown (and far uptown) as well. The kids go to private school of course. Nothing beats an evening stroll along the river then dining at a restaurant downtown. You just can't get that in the suburbs. It's great to not have to use your car to get everywhere.

[CHIP72]

Bethlehem would rank pretty high on the list. It has a nice downtown area and the presence of Lehigh University contributes some cool development to the south side of the city.

Harrisburg's downtown area is solid and its midtown area is regenerating. However, the lack of a four year college, even a small, liberal arts school like say Franklin & Marshall or Moravian, is a serious drawback for the city (the biggest one IMO, based on my nearly 8 years of living in that area).

Altoona and Johnstown are so economically depressed (not to mention much smaller, at least in terms of urban area population) that it's hard to compare them to the much larger, intermediate-sized cities in the eastern half of the state.

I really like State College (which is technically a borough and not a city), but the fact it is surrounded by a whole bunch of nothing is a serious drawback.

[toobusytoday]

Of course, we all have our own prejudices and lack of knowledge of other area's. I mean, who among us has even visited, let alone lived in, more then one or two of the small cities that are being compared for more then one night? We lived in Harrisburg one summer 25 years ago (before kids) but that Harrisburg is certainly not the one that you would experience today.

That being the case, I would vote for Bethlehem. Not only does it have Lehigh U on the South side it has Moravian College in the cutesy part of the downtown area AND it has festivals every couple of months. Celtic Class (formerly known as Celticfest), Musikfest, Chriskindlemart are the three big ones. The New Years eve celebration for families has also taken off and many people go into town for first Thursday (north side) or first Friday (South side) at the beginning of the month. During the day, it's fun to walk and window shop in the cute shops and walk the cobblestone sidewalks. Leave your heels at home.

[sharris]

I want to bring into play the York County areas. Close to Harrisburg but you can be in Baltimore by car in 45-50 min. Dc is also close. plenty of nightlife and things to do in those directions.

[Ohiogirl81]

Only Erie has a Great Lake.

[MarinoG711]

I would vote erie... casino, beaches, shopping, downtown has several bars and nightclubs, convention center, NBADL team, Minor League AA baseball, Minor League Hockey, Arena Football team, Professional womens football team, Family First Sports Park, Indoor water park, Waldameer amusment park and water park, Four universities, Medical College, etc.... Also is close to Cleveland, Buffalo, Niagara and Toronto... Private schools are good... Public arent too bad either... Collegiate Academy High is nationally ranked...