Is PA depressing? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown: cheap house, Mennonites, groceries)

[Steve_W]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

You WAY misread my comment. I know that Berkshire Hathaway is from Omaha, but I'm sorry I don't know where Warren Buffet lives. My point is that a guy like that, wherever he lives, throws off the average. I'm not insulting Omaha. And don't call me provincial.

It's nice to know that someone who is trying to defend where he/she lives from attacks from Ryan (the poster) amuses you. Are you from Pittsburgh? Is this the real reason you're amused - because you don't like to see people who live around Philadelphia pointing out how much better off this region is than other parts of PA?

I agree with what you are saying for the most part. Omaha however has been said to have more millionaires per capita for a city it's size for many years(or close to the most I'm not sure anymore). So it's not just Buffet throwing off the averages.

Anyway, Buffet has stated his yearly salary from Berkshire is 400K a year in an interview Nov. of 07'. Also, his net worth isn't a number reflected as a checking or savings balance but I'm guessing it's primarily his worth in various stocks, bonds and other investments. So, I really don’t think he plays too much of a part in that with a city of over 400K people.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

It's nice to know that someone who is trying to defend where he/she lives from attacks from Ryan (the poster) amuses you. Are you from Pittsburgh? Is this the real reason you're amused - because you don't like to see people who live around Philadelphia pointing out how much better off this region is than other parts of PA?

I missed this part of your post (actually just didn't read it). I don't live in Omaha. Yes, I'm from Pittsburgh. But you're way over-analyzing things if you think I "don't like to see people who live around Philadelphia pointing out how much better off this region is than other parts of PA". The people on the Pittsburgh forum think I hate Pittsburgh (which isn't true, I just think it has a lousy economy). No, I spent enough years at gymnastics meets (I am being serious here, 17 yrs to be exact) to know that you can't throw one set of stats or scores or whatever out and then say "If you took this out. . . "

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by Duderino

What WOULD be interesting, however -- something that I'm baffled a lot of people don't focus on more as a way to determine an absolute value for "wealth" as opposed to ranking raw data -- would be to see how major metro areas compare in a normative ratio of earnings:cost-of-living. Someone making six figures in Manhattan and living in North Jersey versus making six figures in Center City and living in Montgomery County will be getting a lot less bang for their buck. That would definitely level the playing field, and, given the cost-of-living in New York and Washington, I'd be willing to bet that in terms of "purchasing power," we're about even.

Yeah, that would be interesting, but I doubt that this region would do all that great. Sure, it's much cheaper here than NYC, but we're more expensive than TX, which is full of cities with plenty of jobs and a low cost of real estate.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

I missed this part of your post (actually just didn't read it). I don't live in Omaha. Yes, I'm from Pittsburgh. But you're way over-analyzing things if you think I "don't like to see people who live around Philadelphia pointing out how much better off this region is than other parts of PA". The people on the Pittsburgh forum think I hate Pittsburgh (which isn't true, I just think it has a lousy economy). No, I spent enough years at gymnastics meets (I am being serious here, 17 yrs to be exact) to know that you can't throw one set of stats or scores or whatever out and then say "If you took this out. . . "

Look, I'm not trying to be difficult, but gymnastics is more of an absolute scoring system. If you fall, it costs you big-time. However, if you're comparing cities and the populations of a sample of 10 are as follows:

8,000,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
750,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000

one of these cities really sticks out. Statistically speaking, it's going to throw off the average. I know we're talking about huge numbers here, but if you take out NYC and DC (yes, this is completely and totally subjective), it levels the playing field.

How about we just forget it?

Now, back to the purpose of the forum: Is PA depressing?

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

...people on the Pittsburgh forum think I hate Pittsburgh (which isn't true, I just think it has a lousy economy).

Well, I think what happens is that it's very easy to misread someone's post. It's alot easier to talk to someone and get your point across than it is to do the same in writing. What happens in writing is that people sometimes come on stronger than they mean.

[rainrock]

Thanks BPP. I wasn't trying to sneakily hide DC and NYC in a closet to make Philadelphia look better, that would be foolish. I'll be the first to admit those 2 metroes are in a completely different solar system as far as wealth is concerned. I was simply/ innocently trying to put things into a different context without the two behemoths that own the top 20 wealthiest counties in the USA. Pittnurse dont kid yourself into thinking the goverment contracts aren't the primary treason that DC is the per capita wealthiest region in the usa. Absolutley, unequivocally 100% D.C.metro owes its wealth to the federal government and outside government contracts.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by rainrock

Thanks BPP. I wasn't trying to sneakily hide DC and NYC in a closet to make Philadelphia look better, that would be foolish. I'll be the first to admit those 2 metroes are in a completely different solar system as far as wealth is concerned. I was simply/ innocently trying to put things into a different context without the two behemoths that own the top 20 wealthiest counties in the USA. Pittnurse dont kid yourself into thinking the goverment contracts aren't the primary treason that DC is the per capita wealthiest region in the usa. Absolutley, unequivocally 100% D.C.metro owes its wealth to the federal government and outside government contracts.

I'd agree with just forget it, but you guys keep arguing it. IT DOESN"T MATTER that DC has a lot of govt. contracts if the argument is who are the big economic superpowers in the US! It doesn't matter how they make their money! Not to mention the defense contractors in Silicon Valley, Denver, blah, blah who get their money from the feds. And the pharmaceutical companies in Philly who do, as well. I understand economics. If you want to "level the playing field" you have to compare only cities of the same size, with the same types of industries, etc, and you won't be comparing anything to anything b/c every place is different!

My comments about gymnastics were meant to illustrate the "if" illogic. "If" doesn't matter.

Is Pennsylvania depressing? It depends.

[becksrock17]

Would you live in Hazelton if you made $200,000 a year? If you did, where would you send your child to school and where would you go in this town?

[becksrock17]

Originally Posted by IHATEPA!!!

First off, I realize that there will be depressing places, people, etc. no matter where you go. that's life. I also acknowledge that, to an extent, things such as this are a state of mind.

However, based on my experiences living in PA, I have come to hate living here. As pointed out in this thread, our politicians are arguably the most conservative in the entire country, and actually feel entitled to kickbacks, bribes, and whatnot. The lack of shame when caught was also mentioned and duly noted on my part.

Pennsylvania's biggest problem, in my opinion, is a resistance to change. For example, people in this thread and others related to this topic have mentioned about Pittsburgh constantly trying to resurrect the steel industry YEARS after the bottom fell out in approximately 1980. If they would've tried to look at other options and move on and rebuild right when it happened, they could've climbed out of the hole by the early 90's, if not sooner. Instead, they are STILL languishing in a largely **** poor economy almost 25 years later! Granted, they have made some strides towards improving. Pittsburgh does have some top quality colleges and health care facilities. But, this state as a whole needs to purge the old timers out of the political system and get some younger, fresher blood in this state with fresh, new ideas that will help PA move forward and get PA out of its mostly stagnant state that it's currently in.

Another issue I have with PA, unfortunately, is the attitudes of the people as a whole. This in another reason why this state is depressing. People constantly talk about the weather being gloomy(and I agree, by the way!). Well, the people are just as bad if not worse. I mean, most of PA's people fall into one of two categories:

1)Grumpy old people-This ties in with the resistance to change issue. This group seems to be stuck in the 1940's-1970's. They seem to be so convinced that the "good ol' days" were so much better that they steadfastly refuse to embrace modern times. Thus, they strike me as bitter, jaded old crones. I know, I'll grow old myself one day. But, I'm going to make it a point not to be grumpy and constantly pine for the "good ol' days" of the turn of the 21st century! PA old people seem to most personify the gloomy, callous, chip on the shoulder attitude that plenty of PA residents seem to have.

2)Hillbillies- PA has often been described as being Pittsburgh in the west, Philadelphia in the east, and Kentucky in between. These people seem to come right off the pages of any Jeff Foxworthy "You Might Be A Redneck If..." joke book. They reinforce many negative stereotypes of society in general. By that, I mean people that come across as lazy, dumb as dog ****, totally lacking in hygiene, abusing Gov't and state assistance programs, constantly having kids when they can't even begin to afford them, among other things. If that's how somebody wants to live, that's their business. The issue I have with this group of people is that they think that that kind of life is the best thing going, and they have no desire to even try and better themselves. In fact, some of them are even PROUD of it! They seem to wallow in their ****tiness! PA, along w/ Wisconsin, seems to want to make itself into the "Dixie of the North". PA deserves the name "Pennsyltucky"!

I have met some good, decent people here in PA though, and I'm glad for the experience. Unfortunately, they are few and far between. Maybe I have something to do with that, granted, but I feel I have to shoot straight regarding this issue. In general, people seem to be callous and have a chip on their shoulder here in PA. And, PA residents sense of humor seem to be the mean, biting, sarcastic kind that is malicious and cruel. And that's another reason why PA is depressing. The attitudes of the people in general set the tone, IMHO. This state is never going to get out of the doldrums until the people learn to accept change and subsequently adapt to it, and also develop better attitudes in general. Right now, though, the people seem to prisoners of their own memories in PA. This state seems to be a black hole of the highest order that just sucks the life out of everybody within its borders.

YOU ARE BRILLIANT! THIS IS SOOO FUNNY I FORWARDED IT TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO MOVED OUT OF PA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[becksrock17]

Originally Posted by stretch00

I lived in rural SW PA for two years. It was the biggest mistake of my life. It was depressing, the people were bigoted, jobs were scarce, there was no entertainment, restaurants were terrible.

It was cheap, and the scenery was beautiful.

I will never go back.

NOT TO MENTION THE TAXES AND FREEZING WEATHER.