State College Info. (Pittsburgh, Erie, Altoona: sales, apartment, rental)
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I was interested in relocation information about State College. How is the cost of living? (Rent and housing), utilities, gas prices, sales tax, cable, water, and groceries. It looks like the crime is very low compared to where I live. What are shopping options in State College? How far is it to the closest Airport? How long does it take to drive to Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
I would appreciate any information. What is the good and bad about State College? I seem to only hear the good. I know it is fairly isolated. Scenery looks beautiful. Are there any downfalls?
I am located about 3 hours from state college. yeah it's in the middle of the state I don't see you taking many trips to Pittsburgh or Harrisburg. I never been there but I hear there are lots of pretty girls, nice area, property is about national average, cold winters, your near allot of state lands, and they have pretty girls there. Sorry I can't help you more. try to google it.
My grandmother has lived in State College for most of her adult life, so she's seen the ups and downs.
It has really built up in a very short amount of time. It used to be just the Nitanny Lion Mall (which had everything you needed at the time), but now there's two Wal-Mart Supercenters (so you don't have to drive to the other side of town, which is quite a trek due to the highway construction, etc.) Circuit City, Best Buy, Sheetz (out the wazoo), Kwik-Fills, K-Mart, etc.
Not to mention Lowes, Dick's Sporting Goods, etc. It's just turned into a shopping megalopolis.
Then you have the campus in a completely different section of town, in fact it accounts for a good portion of the town's landmass. (GIANT campus.)
Rents can be super expensive (depending on where you choose to live) and some of the sections of town aren't the best to be on at night (But that's city living for you...)
Also, the crime might not be as bad as some areas, but it's pretty high due to the college kids. Drugs and alcohol related crimes are a given. My cousin just turned 18 and got a scholarship to Penn State, and she went to the main campus, once she had a chance to see all the goings on...she freaked and had to come back home. She had all her credits and info transferred to Penn State's Behrend Campus in Erie/North East (the town) PA. When asked what really got to her, she said it's a proven fact that only 10% of rapes are reported in a college setting, and that rapes occur quite often in said setting. Even had a pamphlet describing in detail what she was talking about. *shudders*
I'm not trying to put the city down, I am actually quite fond of it, and if I had the dough, I'd move there, but you either have to be a student or really really qualified to have or find employment there. The market's cornered pretty much.
Also, if you look at the map, it's a city...literally in the center of nowhere. To get to another city, or major city you have to drive at least 50-130 miles.
So if you're wanting a metropolis, State College ain't it. If you're wanting a small town feel with enough city to survive, then it's right up your alley.
Oh...it's expensive. Cost of living (aside from rents) can be pretty high.
the crime might not be as bad as some areas, but it's pretty high due to the college kids. Drugs and alcohol related crimes are a given. My cousin just turned 18 and got a scholarship to Penn State, and she went to the main campus, once she had a chance to see all the goings on...she freaked and had to come back home. She had all her credits and info transferred to Penn State's Behrend Campus in Erie/North East (the town) PA. When asked what really got to her, she said it's a proven fact that only 10% of rapes are reported in a college setting, and that rapes occur quite often in said setting. Even had a pamphlet describing in detail what she was talking about. *shudders*
Most rapes are between acquaintances ("date rape"), not random strangers darting out of alleys. You're presenting the threat of rape as a crime concern, which is disingenuous. Tons of Penn State students get sexually assaulted every year, but to cite this as a reason to be wary of moving to State College is totally ridiculous. The number of rapes in State College that occur between people who don't already know each other is very low.
Sure, there are tons of students arrested for underage drinking, sexual assault, drug possession, etc. But as far as this affecting some non-student resident? About the worst part of living in State College would be waking up to drunk frat boys pissing on your front lawn or breaking your flower pots. Annoying, not dangerous.
I went to school at Penn State, and my folks have lived there for nearly 30 years. There is some crime, but as passdoubt alluded to, it's mostly drunken college students being rowdy. Not a whole lot of violent crime involving local residents. I never felt unsafe there.
The cost of living is going to be higher compared to comparably sized cities in PA because of the inflated housing costs due to the high number of students (especially rental properties). But overall I don't think other living expenses are out of line (though school taxes tend to be high).
Shopping has improved quite a bit in the last decade with more retailers moving into the area. Many new big box stores have joined the region. SC is still not on a par with a big metro, but there should be enough choices to keep you occupied for a while.
Of course being in the very center of the state does give one a sense of isolation. I know there has been a lot of activity on new roads (freeways) which will make the trip in and out much easier.
Of course the university dominates most aspects of life, but also contributes quite a bit to the cultural/entertainment section. Jobs are not like a silicon valley use to be, but good ones can be found, usually associated with the university.
There is a local airport with several carriers, but I'm sure ticket prices are probably higher than one of the bigger airports.
Whatever you decide, I hope you find what you're looking for.
State College is a great place. The only crime that ever happens is where the students live. When it happens, it's very minimal. They never cause any trouble any where else. Yes, it is sort of in the middle of nowhere, but that's part of it's charm. It has great shopping and great neighborhoods. It's the picture perfect place to raise a family. You're right, the senery is beautiful. Crime is very low compared to other areas. You asked for it's good and bads, and everything is pretty good. If you really want to get away from the students, yet want to be close to State College, I would suggest Bellefonte. State College has it's own airport. State College is, again, a great place to live. I hope I helped. Oh, and I'm a big Penn State Fan, so GO NITTANY LIONS!
Thank you for all the information so far. I am a single male professional in my 30's. I have a potential job in the State College area. I am from a very dangerous large city with a really high murder rate. State College seems like a nice change (Crime and cleanliness). I have been to many places in PA. I have never been to State College. You all have been helpful. I would like to know about how much rent would be for a 1-2 br apartment or townhouse/loft? Are there any outrageous state/local taxes. How much would utilities run in SC area. Any info. would be helpful.
Thank you for all the information so far. I am a single male professional in my 30's. I have a potential job in the State College area. I am from a very dangerous large city with a really high murder rate. State College seems like a nice change (Crime and cleanliness). I have been to many places in PA. I have never been to State College. You all have been helpful. I would like to know about how much rent would be for a 1-2 br apartment or townhouse/loft? Are there any outrageous state/local taxes. How much would utilities run in SC area. Any info. would be helpful.
TAKE THIS JOB. State College is a wonderful place. Thanks to the university, it's a small city that offers some bigger city amenities... and the location is amongst the most beautiful in PA surrounded by Tussey, Bald Eagle and Nittany mountains. There's a youthful, energetic population... good number of young professionals like you in addition to students. My brother is in his 30s and he loves it there. It's a great area for outdoor recreation... such as hiking, skiing and mountain biking. There are plenty of great parks and state parks nearby. Sure, it takes awhile to get to a big city... but its isolation is one of its greatest assets... as you're surrounded by tons of mountainous state lands that are great for exploration. Downtown has a lot of shopping, dining and nightlife... though the downtown nightlife pretty much caters to the students. You would probably find yourself on the periphery at places such as The American Alehouse or Otto's Brewpub... though Bar Bleu downtown seems to cater to a more sophisticated clientele. I'm not an expert on taxes... but I assume school district taxes are higher than average... State College does rank as one of the best school districts nationally.
While I love State College, I do wish they had a better comprehensive plan for development... recent decades have resulted in the worst of modern sprawl. The core city is fabulous though.
Harrisburg is about 88 miles from State College, accessable by rt 322. It is about an hour and a half to two hours depending on traffic and construction. As someone pointed out there is heavy construction all around town. rt 322 is already re-paved and re-marked except for the juniata narrows around lewistown. Also aroung rt 220 there are doing an exceptional amount of work, construction is an almost permenant feature of pennsylvania. They are building the new I-99 through the area eventually all the way up to lockhaven, williamsport and wellsboro. There are excellent jobs all around, a great venue for major music acts (bryce jordan), and plenty of other things to do. Pa Military Museaum in boalsburg, penns cave, skiing, hiking, hunting and fishing. I would say home prices are around or slightly above prices in Harrisburg. However, unlike most towns there arent any major run down or slum areas of state college that im away of. There are allkinds of parties and bars on atherton and college avenue. But they have a wide variety of restraunts. new york pizza, vietnamese, malaysian, sushi, hibachi, thai, chinese, and even indian. There are Sheetz gas stations all over the town.
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State College Info.
