Is PA depressing? (Pittsburgh, Erie, Wilkes-Barre: how much, hotel, affordable houses)

[Summering]

Many of the people on City Data have traveled quite a bit.
I probably have been to most of our 50 states and other places in the World.
I still find Pa. a wonderful state to call home.
No one has to agree.........in fact its not expected.
We love the restaurants in our area such as the Willow Tree looking out over the river. The Stroudsmoor Inn with all the homemade foods and grand grounds. The fine "foods", that get great acclaim at the Stone Bar.
There are some great places around.
For myself, I love the lakes, the hiking, the streams to walk through with a child.......the many waterfalls.......
I like the peacefullness, that was rare in New Jersey by the time I left.
The fact that I can go to NYC and be thrilled by a Broadway show, and then come home to hear the horse naying in the morning along with the one friendly rooster......announcing the dawn.
The wonder of sitting up on a mountain and watching the valley and other far mountains in the distance.
Not every area is perfect, but that is everywhere..........and everywhere will be the government, the harsh neighbors,elderly, and things to accept etc.
The sun still shines brightly in the winter.......even though its cold and snowing. Snow is still beautiful, even though we get tired of it........
This state is a wonderful place to live......
If someone feels its isn't then they should go on.........in search of the perfect place for them......liking where one lives is important.
Life is for happiness, rather then sadness, and forlorn...........

[truevision]

poconos is the best!

[robinbell44]

born and raised in Pa..winters are brutal and driving dangerous. now live in Florida!

[Summering]

Originally Posted by robinbell44

born and raised in Pa..winters are brutal and driving dangerous. now live in Florida!

I Love Florida.........I call it my favorite state.
I've never been a winter lover, but snow coming down at Christmas.......is a picture postcard.

[Blusey]

I don't particularly like Pa. However, my ex-husband and all of my kids love it and would never want to leave.

Pa. is quite diverse in many ways. On the subject of weather, the West side, being mountainous and having more wide-open areas, gets considerably colder than the East in winter. The Southeastern part of Pa. is only 45 to 60 minutes from the NJ beaches. North and west of Phila. is where you will find Hershey and our state Capitol, Harrisburg. Dorney Park, another well-known amusement park is in that general region as well as Pennsylvania Dutch Wonderland, which is in the heart of Lancaster and home to a large community of Amish people.

I wonder, though, why there most definitely does seem to be a spirit of pessimism or gloom in certain parts of this state. My experience has been that much of this doom and gloom might reflect the all work and no play ethic that has persisted in some Pennsylvania families for generations. The families of coal miners, for one, have not had pleasant experiences and when the mines closed, they either ended up out of work or starting from the bottom at a field totally different from what they knew. Many of the residents here wound up with lung cancer when they got to a point where they could actually retire.

So there are reasons, maybe, for the depressive personalities prevalent in some Pa. dwellers.

The depressed economic state of some of the small former coal mining and steel towns in Western Pa., for one, and the gradual but eventual decline of the cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, do not lend much hope to Pa. residents hoping to secure jobs in these cities or to live in these areas. As much as one would like to believe that the gentrified housing districts are a whole new positive living experience, the truth is they are a new concept in the same old city. It might look safer and it might actually be a bit safer, but it's not a move to the suburbs, obviously.

If I were moving to Pa. I would move to Bucks County, provided I had the big bucks needed to live there. It is approx. 50 minutes to the nearest beach in NJ, the closest mountain for skiing, snowboarding, summer camping, etc. etc. is 1.5 hours away, and it has seasons that are not too extreme in any sense. You can reach New York City by train in approximately 1 hr. and a half from Yardley, Bucks County. Houses in Bucks County (Newtown, Yardley, Richboro, Wrightstown, Washington Crossing, etc.) cost anywhere from 175,000. for a condo to million dollar McMansions. Some are nice old stone houses, too, the farther out in Bucks (and $$bucks$$) you go.

This is a beautiful part of Pa. to reside in. There are state parks and historic places such as the scenic spot where George Washington and his soldiers crossed the Delaware River.

There are quite a few people living here that actually moved here because of its proximity to NYC. And, as everyone knows, moving to NYC costs a small fortune and is not an option for most of us.

[bolillo_loco]

Two fitting statements come to mind:

“No matter where you go, there you are.”
“Most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

[IHATEPA!!!]

Originally Posted by sleeplessinpa

But hey, if your live somewhere else and just visit it is great! -Living here full time brings in the full story.

Exactly!

To me, Pennsylvania is the epitome of the phrase "It's a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live here."

And let me also say to all who love living here: If you love it here, then great! That's your choice! That said, have a nice day!

[Summering]

Originally Posted by Red1inPA

I grew up in PA, and have lived in both Central, Western, and South Eastern PA. It is not depressing; as with all in life, it is what you make of it. PA has beautiful rolling hills and trees. In the Autumn, there aren't many other places that can compare to it's beauty.

People here are some of the friendliest people I've ever met. I travel a lot for work, and the people in PA are much warmer and family oriented than those I've met elsewhere.

Outside of the cities, the crime is low. Although, Pittsburgh is a beautiful city that does have some bad parts to it; just like any other city. Consider how many people in PA do choose to stay. Consider why twice I've left for work and always seem to find my way back to PA. The weather? It's awesome...you have four seasons no tornados, no hurricaines. We have everything here...mountains, rolling hills, beautiful lakes. I really think PA is hard to beat!

I feel the same way as you.
By living in Pa we get to enjoy the things the state has to offer all year long.
Summer is for kayaking at Beltsville lake, back into the finger coves, and crystal waters. Or taking the motor boat out to ski or find a good fishing spot.
The Parks for looking at waterfalls, hiking, swimming, camping........and there are way too many to even list. ( but, I should do that one day)
The brooks and streams for the kids to hop through and enjoy.
Head out to the many camping places........some in the Amish lands of Lancaster, and get to see the interesting people there. Also, Gettysburg.....what a great historic town that is to visit.
Go to Hershey and see how the chocolate is made, and the history of how that all began out in farm area of Hershey. Great story........take the ride there and learn all about it.
Go to Knobles, and have a fun time camping or enjoying the rides........
Or Dorney Park, for the swimming and fun all around......
In winter there is sledding, skiing, snow tubing.........
Time spent at the open churches, while the songs fill the air.
We have New Hope for antique shopping. The Promonade Mall for some great stores. The Reading oulets........
There are concerts at Penns Peak, the MusicFest in Bethlehem, at Wilkes Barre in the huge Arena. Fairs galore..........
The Engine Show in Bangor. Believe it or not the boys love watching the old engines and stare at how they work. Log splitter, shingle makers, all the old tractors and appliances.
We will never suffer for lack of things to do. Living here gives us easy access to all that surrounds us. What more could we ask for.

[tiffan28]

Haven't been to Philly that often but your post is interesting because girl interrupted and lucky numbers was shot in Harrisburg and it appeared the way you describe - i think there is some truth to what you say but to a limited degree because there is as much beauty and warmth as there is depression in the atmosphere, etc.

Originally Posted by Terrapin2212

Well I don't want to sound ignorant and believe everything the media or Hollywood says (I don't) but Pennsylvania absolutely feels depressing. I saw the new "Rocky Balboa" last night which was filmed on-location in Philadelphia and the feel of the entire city was utterly depressing deep into its core. The entire landscape has a feel of neglect, deterioration, poverty, and homelessness. The gray tones and cold, depressing, sunless winters don't help either. Throughout the film the city looks like one on the verge of collapse.

Philadelphia is up there as one of the most depressing places I've ever been to, along with places like Detroit and Newark. And Camden, which if ya'll don't know is just across from Philly.

I've been to Philly twice and felt scared the whole time except in the area immediatley around the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Some neighborhoods looked even worse than the ones Rocky Balboa was filmed in. I've also traveled along the Turnpike from the Maryland border to Monroeville just outside Pittsburgh and the drive through farm country was beautiful but the landscape approaching Pittsbrugh was very bleak, especially in November. But this feeling the weather is not limited to PA alone...it goes for the entire Northeast and Upper Midwest. But there's always news about rural Pennsylvania's poverty and mines shutting down. Its sad what's happening to Pennsylvania. There is a lot of natural beauty there but also a lot of crime, poverty, and cold weather.

[Summering]

One thing I have to say here is that we do have a wonderful amount of sunshine in the Winter months.
Now, I know that Binghamton, NY lacks for sun in the winter, quite grey there.......but, we have lots of sunshine. Believe me, as I would hate a grey, sunless winter The sun shines brightly on the fresh snow in the winter, helping to melt my long, steep,driveway....
I think its not easy to live in a city, unless it is something you are use too.
Times I have been in Philly.......I have enjoyed my stay.
The flower show at the convention center was just fantastic.
Once while leaving a concert and making some wrong turns......we did find ourselves in a reall scarey area.
I just know that can happen in any city environment. In any state.
Really outside of the cities, we have some of the most beautiful mountain ranges,farmlands, lakes........Our lands are gorgeous.