Is PA depressing? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton: casinos, standard of living, prices)

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by kpoeppel

Yep. Up here in Erie we have a brand new taxpayer-funded convention center thanks to Fast Eddie, Rendell. Remeber...it created jobs, so it was worth building.

Fast Eddie needs to tell that to one of my high school buddies and the others that lost their jobs when GAF closed.

Nevermind that we don't have an actual economy to speak of, beyond treating heart attacks and serving fast food.

Oh, but that's perfect ... The economy that sustains itself. [/sarcasm] I was in town a few weeks ago when my mom had surgery; much of the equipment at St. V's had Steris labels on it. That was depressing -- a couple of other high school buddies lost their jobs when that plant closed.

I'll vote for you for governor. But only if I can have a high-paying, do-nothing adminstrative job and then hire all my dysfunctional friends and relatives as "assistants."

[kpoeppel]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Fast Eddie needs to tell that to one of my high school buddies and the others that lost their jobs when GAF closed.


Oh, but that's perfect ... The economy that sustains itself. [/sarcasm] I was in town a few weeks ago when my mom had surgery; much of the equipment at St. V's had Steris labels on it. That was depressing -- a couple of other high school buddies lost their jobs when that plant closed.

I'll vote for you for governor. But only if I can have a high-paying, do-nothing adminstrative job and then hire all my dysfunctional friends and relatives as "assistants."

Haha...of course you can have a high-paying, do-nothing job...as long as you volutuneer a few hours a week to help burn down our cities as part of my economic stimulus plan.

[bryson662001]

Anything you can say about a state as large and diverse as PA will be true.......and false. But don't forget. "It's always sunny in Philadelphia"

[Stovpipe]

I'm of the mind that places are not depressing people are. Surround yourself with the right kind or like minded people and anywhere can be a nice place. As for western Pa. it has more cloudy days than sunny ones,but not the smog of L.A. It dosen't have real cold winters but cold enough to kill off the buggs unlike the South. You can sit out on your porch and have a beer and wave your terrible towel and have people smile at you even if they think your crazy for caring about the Steelers. Is it heaven,NO, But it is what you make it like anyplace.

[pinetar10]

anywhere you go is what you make of it. you can be depressed anywhere or happy anywhere. make the best of where you are, and i believe you can be happy in pa. there's plenty of things to do everywhere. things in cities to do, lots of outdoorsy things to do everywhere

[lexmark]

I HAVE MOVED TO PA FROM ANOTHER STATE. NOW I NOW THAT MENTAL ILLNESS IS ALL OVER, BUT IN THE AREA THAT I LIVE IN, I HAVE BEEN CONFRONTED WITH MORE MENTAL ILLNESS (SUCH AS BIPOLAR, ETC)
THAN EVER. PLUS ALCOHOLISM

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by lexmark

I HAVE MOVED TO PA FROM ANOTHER STATE. NOW I NOW THAT MENTAL ILLNESS IS ALL OVER, BUT IN THE AREA THAT I LIVE IN, I HAVE BEEN CONFRONTED WITH MORE MENTAL ILLNESS (SUCH AS BIPOLAR, ETC)
THAN EVER. PLUS ALCOHOLISM

Not all of the mentally ill ought to be avoided though. I'm manic depressive, and I know a fair number of fellow peers and faculty members here on campus who are diagnosed as having bipolarity, social anxiety disorder, ADHD, seasonal affective disorder, etc., as well as the more common manic depression. I consider myself to be a great person to be around, as are those who have the disorders I cited. Is there a disproportionately higher number of those with mental illness in NEPA and the Lehigh Valley than in other areas? I don't really know, and frankly I couldn't care less.

Alcoholism isn't what I'd call an "illness." It's just the continuation of self-destructive behavior that eventually brings down others with you, much like smoking or binge eating. I think it's sad actually how people in NEPA defend people who are pulled over for a DUI as being "not a big deal." Perhaps it's not a big deal to you now, but when a young mother and her child are charred to death in a fiery head-on collision on a rural two-lane road caused by an unscathed drunkard, you'll feel very much differently I'm certain.

[ElizNJ]

IMO the only good things about PA are the excellent hospitals in Philadelphia. Take them away and you have a third world country.

I've been in all parts of the state and cringe whenever we cross the bridge.
I told my DH that I would follow him anywhere --- except Pennsylvania.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by ElizNJ

IMO the only good things about PA are the excellent hospitals in Philadelphia. Take them away and you have a third world country.

I've been in all parts of the state and cringe whenever we cross the bridge.
I told my DH that I would follow him anywhere --- except Pennsylvania.

*Yawn* Good hospitals can't be the only reason people from New Jersey are flooding into PA by the thousands.

[Andy R]

Maybe the inner city of Philadelphia or Pittsburg would be depressing, particularly if you are unemployed or in a bad relationship--but Pennsylvania is one of the most beautiful states in the Union--and it has always generated lots of fun for people, rich or poor. The people in the small cities and rural areas are outstanding--and their foods! Do they still have the jalopy races at Williams Grove, Abbotstown and Reading?