Is PA depressing? (Harrisburg, Penn: apartment, subdivision, professionals)

[dugdogmaster]

Originally Posted by Stephanie P

Please check out 6th street, very cool and lots of bars!
My husband went to UT, so he has very fond memories of Austin. My sister went to Southwestern Univ. in Georgetown, and that is a fun place as well. Great area with lots to do! Also, will be cooler in the winter than Houston, perhaps a snowfall or two; although lookout for black ice.
Please let me know if you need info about the area, I would love to help!

We have black ice up here too in PA

[tremontpa]

I don't find a single area in Pennsylvania depressing. Each area is unique and fasinating. The perseption that an area is depressing is only because someone dwells on the negatives and doesn't look at the big picture.

Heres an example.
Girardville PA is a dying coal town with a run down and vacant downtown. The housing quality is poor and the streets are dirty, but there is more to its image. Girardville has a rich history. The people, the industry, and the culture all are captivating. One of the best things to do is to hike around the old mining sites and learn about them. Another fun thing to do is to walk around the older cemetaries and learn about the people from a century ago. I do not find any of this depressing.

[tremontpa]

Although I will say that the dying state of many Pennsylvanian towns is sad. It is unfortunate.

[rickncaryl]

Currently live in the sunny south but soon (summer) i'll be moving to the erie, edenboro albion area...looking forward to the change.

[ki0eh]

Originally Posted by tremontpa

I don't find a single area in Pennsylvania depressing. Each area is unique and fasinating. The perseption that an area is depressing is only because someone dwells on the negatives and doesn't look at the big picture.

Heres an example.
Girardville PA is a dying coal town with a run down and vacant downtown. The housing quality is poor and the streets are dirty, but there is more to its image. Girardville has a rich history. The people, the industry, and the culture all are captivating. One of the best things to do is to hike around the old mining sites and learn about them. Another fun thing to do is to walk around the older cemetaries and learn about the people from a century ago. I do not find any of this depressing.

A few years back I remember talking to the borough secretary in Girardville. Seems she married a coalie rather than grew up there, and she said she was fascinated by the arguments her extended in-laws got into about whose great-grandfather was a bigger goon for the companies or the Molly Maguires.

But if Girardville's not depressing, what about Gilberton?

[onmywaytoPA]

Originally Posted by gatito27

I Live In Fl; I'm Planning To Move Either To Pa Or Ny (queens Or Li), I Would Like Some Advice. I've Been Teaching Spanish For 9 Years Now And Possess An M.a. In This Field. Where Could I Get A Good Salary But At The Same Time Find Affordable Housing? Thanks,

My hometown of Carlisle still has some of the charms I remember: affordability and access to the country, yet it is a college town with a decent intellectual life and a good school system (in which my mother taught for 15 or so years). My husband and I have chosen this area to return to in retirement after too many years in the city. The locals feel the best school system in that immediate area these days is the Cumberland Valley system.

[Orwelleaut]

Not at all!! The Appalachians are beautiful. Man has tried pretty hard to wreck these mountains in certain parts of the state, but has never quite succeeded. Most of PA definitely deserves to be called "Penn's Woods", IMO!!!

[amg398]

I completely agree with this! I have lived in many cities and this is by far the hardest to deal with. I can't wait to leave here. I would not recommend anyone to move to Harrisburg, PA, especially if you are moving alone and are in you 20's.

[BackToTheCityMouse]

Originally Posted by amg398

I completely agree with this! I have lived in many cities and this is by far the hardest to deal with. I can't wait to leave here. I would not recommend anyone to move to Harrisburg, PA, especially if you are moving alone and are in you 20's.

I live in suburban (East Shore) Harrisburg area, and there are other forum regulars in the area as well. Please let us know if there is anything we can help with -- I can recommend all kinds of services/businesses except apartments and bars.

Your post took me by surprise because I've read so many comments here about how Harrisburg is like heaven on earth for party loving 20-somethings. I do know that people in this area network very selectively (translation: they can be xenophobic and clique-ish, in some groups racism and sexism are still cool and accepted behaviors), and there are lots of people working overtime to convince themselves they are East Coast hipsters. Whatever you do, don't tell them you didn't think they were here visiting from Brooklyn...and here only to invest in converting warehouses into lofts and art spaces.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by amg398

I completely agree with this! I have lived in many cities and this is by far the hardest to deal with. I can't wait to leave here. I would not recommend anyone to move to Harrisburg, PA, especially if you are moving alone and are in you 20's.

That's ashame. I'm in my 20's, live in Midtown and have a great circle of friends. There is a very strong young professionals group here. If you need any help with the area or need to know where to go, send me a pm!