Is PA depressing? (Greencastle, Penn, Atlantic: houses, rent, travel)

[sealerpal]

Originally Posted by mach

I did not read all the post but YES, Western PA is very depressing. I never seen so many people on SS in my life. Most of these people work like farmers and still get ss.I grow up near Indiana PA I lived in MD for 7 years. I decided to move back to PA big mistake. I"m a license electrician and I could not find work for over 7 months that didn't pay over $14/hr I hear eastern PA is nice. any way i'm leaving PA for good. Currently in SC interviewing. The school are good in PA.

I disagree. You can't blanket all of Western PA as "depressing". Sure, Pittsburgh is a very depressing city, as well as most of it's suburbs. However, alot of Western PA is beautiful. Lots of wildlife, great hiking and outdoors activities, awesome windy roads for taking a drive in a sports car, the list goes on.

This area has some problems, yes. But so does every area. Pittsburgh and what goes on down there seem to be the center of most of the region's problems. It's a crazy town with alot of drama. It's sort of a paradox to what the rest of Western PA is all about. Take out Pittsburgh and all it's gloom and doom and you have yourself a fine area. My only complaint about living here is the weather. Not too shabby.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by jbrocious

What cities in america DONT have decay! its because of urban sprawl! the decayed areas will eventually be recycled.

cities arent geocentric like they used to be, thats why many cities (big and small) are trying very hard to pull people back in. Its cyclical, the majority of pittsburgh is starting to be renovated.... give it time

Ok, I read the entire 15 pgs, laughed at some posts, agreed and disagreed as I read on. The above quote "give it time" is the most hilarious of all! I have been hearing that about Pittsburgh for at least 25 yrs! The steel industry collapsed in about 1980. That's a long time ago. It didn't take the rest of the country that long to pull out of the Great Depression. Granted WW II helped a bit with the economy, but hopefully, you get my point. You can't just sit around waiting for it to get better.

According to my dear mom, may she rest in peace, Pgh waited too long for the steel industry to come back. It took a long time for some to realize that just wasn't going to happen.

Meanwhile, the people my age (I am 57) left in droves. The smallest age group in Pgh in 2005 was the 55-59 yr olds; the same ones who were 30-34 when steel collapsed. (Source: Post-Gazette). Although I actually left earlier to get married (big mistake, LOL, but it turned out OK), many of my classmates left then. When you have a family to raise and your whole career ahead of you, you have to go where you can make a living. Anyone who says my cohorts should have stayed and helped rebuild is selfish. We had our lives to live. Pittsburgh may yet reinvent itsefl, but no one should just hang around working at a minimum wage job waiting for it to happen.

[sealerpal]

You are completely right, Pittnurse. The only tangible progression in Pittsburgh are new sports facilities and sports-related things. I keep hearing about "robotics" and lots of phrases that start with "Pittsburgh's gonna be the next____" (Fill in the blank). I've been hearing it forever and at this point it's just meaningless gibberish, usually spewed by our Democratic local leaders...for votes. Very little of it comes to pass, unless it has to do with sports.

[PhillyPhan]

i would have to say that this is true with the western part of the state. but the central and eastern part of pa is incredible. sometimes a little boring but anything but depressing

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by sealerpal

I disagree. You can't blanket all of Western PA as "depressing". Sure, Pittsburgh is a very depressing city, as well as most of it's suburbs. However, alot of Western PA is beautiful. Lots of wildlife, great hiking and outdoors activities, awesome windy roads for taking a drive in a sports car, the list goes on.

This area has some problems, yes. But so does every area. Pittsburgh and what goes on down there seem to be the center of most of the region's problems. It's a crazy town with alot of drama. It's sort of a paradox to what the rest of Western PA is all about. Take out Pittsburgh and all it's gloom and doom and you have yourself a fine area. My only complaint about living here is the weather. Not too shabby.

Pittsburgh's gloom and doom? Without Pittsburgh, western Pennsylvania would be nothing. Pittsburgh has some of the most exciting, vibrant neighborhoods in Pennsylvania.

[songgirl]

My family is from Western PA about an hr. west of Pburgh. I have some good memories ie: tubing on the Monongahela, bingo inthe firehall (huge deal around there) Kenneywood and generally just hanging around with some of the coolest, most down to Earth people I ever met.

But! Depressing? How about delapitated, despondant and desperate. Third generation welfare, no jobs, horrible schools, people living in houses that should be condemed, racial intolerance, no playgrounds or activities for kids, totally inadequate social services and the lingering smell of coal permeating everything. Did I mention that I am related in some way to almost everyone in the town? Yuck!!

By the way, I now live in St. Augustine Florida and I really think it's great here. I miss my family but wuld NEVER move back to PA. When I visit it's like stepping into the Twilight Zone.

[mechtm84]

Originally Posted by sealerpal

However, alot of Western PA is beautiful. Lots of wildlife, great hiking and outdoors activities, awesome windy roads for taking a drive in a sports car, the list goes on.

Yeah, that will pay the bills....

PA is very depressing. I've lived here for 2 years and I can't stand it. Nothing to do and no money to do it with. At the end of this month, I will be going on a roadtrip across the eastern seaboard. I am looking forward to staying away from PA as much as possible before my move out of PA

Originally Posted by songgirl

But! Depressing? How about delapitated, despondant and desperate. Third generation welfare, no jobs, horrible schools, people living in houses that should be condemed, racial intolerance, no playgrounds or activities for kids, totally inadequate social services and the lingering smell of coal permeating everything. Did I mention that I am related in some way to almost everyone in the town? Yuck!!

Great post! But keep in mind you are vulnerable to people attacking you for that post and denying everything. The PA lovers will flood you with insults and neg reps. Make sure you stand your ground. Stand by me, I got your back.

[trekon]

Originally Posted by MovingBack2PA

Hi chinenjim :-)
Yup, you are so right !
We did waste 3 years in FL. Yes, we did visit here before, but, things did change A LOT in a matter of a couple of years, and not for the better. Before it was somewhat managable....now it's unbearable!
The internet sites we have visited prior is/ was for tourists and potential new comers to the area. Hindsight, of course didn't we find anything really negative about the area, because it was just getting populated and established. (Port St. Lucie)
Boy, were we WRONG!
Anybody wanting to move to FL...please get in contact with me first....EYE opener....lol.

I'm from the Boston area, I'm thinking of moving too. I was thinking about Jacksonville for jobs and not as hot as South FL, also more affordable. Also researching Albuquerque, Springfield, MO , Kansas City, and have been looking at Pittsburgh, but looks like not enough jobs. Also looking at Harrisburg, about demographics, jobs, affordable housing.

Where would you advise in PA for affordable housing, Jobs, activities.

any help would be appreciated

[zip95]

Originally Posted by mechtm84

I will be going on a roadtrip across the eastern seaboard. I am looking forward to staying away from PA as much as possible before my move out of PA

You do realize that a huge chunk of the eastern seaboard is in PA?

[NewAgeRedneck]

mechtm84

PA is very depressing. I've lived here for 2 years and I can't stand it. Nothing to do and no money to do it with. At the end of this month, I will be going on a roadtrip across the eastern seaboard. I am looking forward to staying away from PA as much as possible before my move out of PA

I'm not a big PA fan myself, but to say that PA is depressing is not really accurrate. The PA that depresses you, is the same PA that other forum members love. The only differece is your perception and your thoughts that go with it. PA is neither depressing or exhilarating...it just is!

Many Blessings.....Franco