Any cheap, charming. liberal, artsy cities in Pennsylvania? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: neighborhoods, college)

[Hubcap_halo]

I'm living in NYC, and I'm from Minneapolis.

I can't afford NYC anymore and it's too noisy, dirty and treeless for me.
But I don't want to go back to Minneapolis.

I liked Philly, but I'm wondering if there are any other cities in the state that are green, have arts, are liberal and might have opportunities for an ad writer who is making a career transition to the healing arts?

Thank you!

[bobsmith]

New Hope fits every qualification except "cheap"--its quite expensive.

Pennsylvania on the whole is a fairly conservative state, though its tended Democratic for the last few years. I honestly don't know of any other artsy places here, but I'm sure they exist.

[Duderino]

Practically any place in PA is going to seem cheap compared to NYC, but the more "liberal, artsy" enclaves still tend to have a premium.

New Hope is a good suggestion.

West Chester (college town) and Media also fit the bill. Both are very vibrant, older suburbs with pretty liberal vibes adjacent to Philadelphia.

Good luck!

[orrmobl]

State College, Garden City section of Wallingford, Lansdowne

[JonathanA]

I'm working as a copywriter, and have recently relocated to Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh. Cheap? I paid $2100 a month for an apt. in Queens, and now pay $525 for an objectively better location in SqHill. There's plenty of work to be had, and I have two friends in the area who are earning a nice living in therapeutic massage and "energy work."

The area is surrounded by large parks, and you can pick and choose your street to be more or less tree-lined.

The neighborhood is part of the Pittsburgh, but is self-contained enough that it feels plenty charming to this big-city expat.

It seems very liberal here, to boot. And more than artsy enough to satisfy -- a couple galleries, some international craftsy type stores, loads of coffee shops, and a short hike to the big museums.

The only "downside" I can see is the cost, relative to other Pittsburgh neighborhoods. But if you're coming from outside the system, you can see what an amazing bargain it still is.

[JonathanA]

And FWIW, I'd also consider the Bellefonte/St. College area. Bellefonte to live, St. College to provide grist for the ad writing mill. It's even cheaper than Pittsburgh, and certainly more "charming" in the traditional sense.

The low cost of living should make up for any decrease in the amount of work available, but if you can augment your income by working online, it's very easy to work part time and still live a mid-upper class lifestyle. St. College is, of course, uber-wired, so you can work from anywhere, which is a nice perk.

[rainrock]

Add Phoenixville + Doylestown to the excellent suburban Philly suggestions already made.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by JonathanA

And FWIW, I'd also consider the Bellefonte/St. College area. Bellefonte to live, St. College to provide grist for the ad writing mill. It's even cheaper than Pittsburgh, and certainly more "charming" in the traditional sense.

Bellefonte is definitely charming, but it strikes me as fairly conservative. State College might fit the bill a little better for the OP politically.

[ScranBarre]

State College is indeed a liberal haven. Have you all forgotten the amazing throngs of thousands upon thousands who showed up to see Sen. Barack Obama speak at PSU?

[pcity]

That's exactly what I said. State College is liberal. Bellefonte is not.