Is PA depressing? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg: relocation, income, college)

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by borocat

Actually the mountain scenes were shot in the Alps in Europe. The mountains in PA are much older.

According to this website, the mountain scenes were shot in Washington state.

The Deer Hunter (1978) - Filming locations

[Njrover0216]

I have never lived, nor would I ever live in PA. All I know is when I drive through PA it takes forever and there doesn't seem to be a lot going on.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by Njrover0216

I have never lived, nor would I ever live in PA. All I know is when I drive through PA it takes forever and there doesn't seem to be a lot going on.

Then you're using the wrong road.

[leeving]

Originally Posted by borocat

If you can get a healthy dose of sunshine in the winter an spring months (off to FLA) you can overcome the depression. Staying here through the winter and spring (mud) is tough, autumn and the leaves and football is fantastic!!

Seasonal Affective Disorder is like the plague here in Western PA. You're correct about the lack of light. As soon as mid Fall arrives, you can kiss the sun goodbye for about 5 months. You're also right about the mountains trapping weather systems. They act like a net for clouds. This isn't just a winter phenomenon. It happens year-round. I just think the misery is compounded in the winter when the gray skies are contrasted with the gray, dead vegetation.

On the bright side, people in PA are in a very unique spot on the map. Brighter skies and warmer temperatures are within a day's drive. If you're retired, there should be nothing stopping you from being a snowbird and wintering down in the Carolina's. My neighbors spend the entire winter down near Charleston South Carolina in an oceanfront condo. It costs them less than 1,000 bucks / month because winter is still the "off season" down there.

[cremebrulee]

Originally Posted by imright

Just wanna know what you think.

Nope, love PA, just hate Quakertown......

[nocturnal rooster]

Originally Posted by Njrover0216

I have never lived, nor would I ever live in PA. All I know is when I drive through PA it takes forever and there doesn't seem to be a lot going on.

That's basically the gist of it

[gernat]

Hooray for toobusytoday! I lived in easter PA most of my life. I went to college in central PA. Two months ago I moved to southern AZ. While I like souther AZ and will probably grow to like it even more, PA will always be my home. It's a beautiful state with lots to offer to the outdoorsman, the culture seeker, the learning enthusiast, and the friend maker. Good luck with your move.

[appalachiangirl]

Western Pa tends to be depressing--weatherwise and economy-wise. The Lancaster area is better I think--milder winters and better economy

[cremebrulee]

while western and the extreme northern part of PA are boaring to some, to others, it is absolutely beautiful and still holds the pristine feeling and smells of pine, open land and dense forests.....that is still virgin, uninhabited and as it was, hundreds of years ago...the towns are very small and poetetically traditional....and it calls to those who still want to live in peace and quiet....

for those who require shopping malls, night life and the smell of steak hoagies on every cornor, hot steam beaking through white concrete and the sounds of the streets, man made lights...then it is not for you...

What I enjoy most about PA is, your close to everything....and can experience the wonders of 4 seasons....extreme weather that subsides as the months fade away....

I love PA....it's close to symphony, beaches, NY, Maine, Virginias...I mean, just a few hours and culture, art, the marvelous sounds of NY, food, resturants, ethnic culture...old fashioned markets, farm land, I mean, everything is right at your finger tips...and the people of PA are extremely nice...congenial and helpful....

you can tour Amish Culture, homemade cuisnes, hand crafts, Sight and Sound Theater....Amish horse drawn carts, the charm of mennonite villiages....the adventure of the Poconos, Bushkill Falls, White water rafting or fishing down the DE...horseback riding...loads of lakes to boat and swim...folklore and antiques...the intensity of the Philadelphia Orchastra...or the excitement of NY City and all the fabulous shows, Christmas decorations, and shows....PA is extremely diverse...in both entertainment, beauty and culture, history and art...

I love, love, love PA....

[Ryan101]

I personally would say that it truly depends on where you are within the Commonwealth.

Pittsburgh area : on an economic angle, certainly....on a social or cultural level, not at all. That's the town I grew up in, and while there certainly are flaws it's a beautiful city in terms of the people there.

Central PA (Harrisburg and surrounding areas) : I spent 6 years in this area after college, I found it to be the most socially desolate and disconnected area I've ever seen. Economically, it's a wreck as well.

Philadelphia area : Lots of culture, music, arts and so forth.....but it's a mess economically as well (it's the 5th largest city in the nation, and it's also amongst the nation's top ten poorest metro areas). The traffic, sucks, and the people largely....are some of the rudest human beings I've ever met.

There's a reason why that city is nicknamed Filthadelphia....and it's more than just the ever-spreading ghetto and the attitude of it's citizen's.