Which region in Pennsylvania has the strongest economy? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: job market, college)

[xyzpdq]

Which region in Pennsylvania has the strongest economy?

In a nutshell, where should I (a college grad) move to in Pennsylvania and be reasonably assured of finding a decent job fairly quickly?

Please don't tell me Pittsburgh. That's where I am now.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by xyzpdq

Which region in Pennsylvania has the strongest economy?

In a nutshell, where should I (a college grad) move to in Pennsylvania and be reasonably assured of finding a decent job fairly quickly?

Please don't tell me Pittsburgh. That's where I am now.

Harrisburg or Lehigh Valley. Philadelphia has a good diverse job market too, but a lot of competition in that area.

[Icy Tea]

The lowest unemployment areas are: State College, Lancaster, and Harrisburg, Lebanon Carlisle. Montgomery county and the philly burbs are the most affluent. Right now, unemployment in Philly, Lehigh, Berks, are about 5.5%. I'm waiting to see how the banking industry crisis plays out.

[rainrock]

Chester+ Montgomery Counties. 2 Bigtime Neighboring Counties that are the 2 wealthiest counties in the state and have very low unemployment levels. Chester is 4.3%, Montgomery 4.5% (July 2008).

Lebanon has the lowest in the state at 4.1%

July 2008

Penn. Avg 5.4%

National Avg. 6.0%

[xyzpdq]

Thanks all for your feedback.

[xyzpdq]

Originally Posted by rainrock

Chester+ Montgomery Counties. 2 Bigtime Neighboring Counties that are the 2 wealthiest counties in the state and have very low unemployment levels. Chester is 4.3%, Montgomery 4.5% (July 2008).

Lebanon has the lowest in the state at 4.1%

July 2008

Penn. Avg 5.4%

National Avg. 6.0%

Can I assume that Chester and Montgomery County residents commute to jobs in Philly?

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by xyzpdq

Can I assume that Chester and Montgomery County residents commute to jobs in Philly?

Many do but those 2 counties along with neighboring Bucks and Delaware have their own major suburban job centers. The Philadlephia metro breaks down something in this range as far as white collar jobs go.

60 M sq feet of office space in the 4 suburban Philly counties.

45 M sq feet of office space in Center City Philly

13 M sq feet of office space in suburban South jersey

12M sq ft of office space in the Wimington De. sub market.

Downtown Pittsburgh has around 20 M sq. feet for point of reference.

There really is no ryme or reason as far as commuting patterns go in the Philly area. People live in the city and work in the suburbs and vice -versa,people live in the Pa burbs and work in South Jersey,people that live in South jersey work in DE. Its a commuting nightmare especially considering how we are basically driving around on 150 year old horse and indian trails that have a coat of asphalt on them.

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by xyzpdq

Can I assume that Chester and Montgomery County residents commute to jobs in Philly?

Not necessarily, but many do. My dad has worked in the 'burbs for a long time.

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by JHG722

Not necessarily, but many do. My dad has worked in the 'burbs for a long time.

I call places like the King of Prussia area Philly 2 because it has about as much traffic and bustle. And there seem to be as many companies out there as Philly but without all the junk that comes with the city...sounds like a deal to me.

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by StuckPA

I call places like the King of Prussia area Philly 2 because it has about as much traffic and bustle. And there seem to be as many companies out there as Philly but without all the junk that comes with the city...sounds like a deal to me.

Yeah, my dad headed a company in KoP for about 16 years, up until recently. How'd you know?