Is relocating to Williamsport wise? (Reading, Scranton: home, job market, neighborhoods)

[dinkisyourgod]

I am a younger person (25, to be exact) and am considering a move to Williamsport sometime within the next 6 months.

I've already heard all of Williamsport's horror stories (the bigoted rednecks/Uncle Toms, the crime, lack of jobs, and the unhappiness of residents in general), and to be honest, none of it really bothers me, as I'm moving from probably the worst place I've ever lived in (Philipsburg, Centre County, PA)

So what I'm asking is: Are there any POSITIVES Williamsport has to offer for young(er) people, or is it basically just another retirement town that Pennsylvania is full of?

If Williamsport falls out of my favor, how about opinions on any of the following as well: Scranton, Reading, Harrisburg, or York?

[W-B proud]

Originally Posted by dinkisyourgod

I am a younger person (25, to be exact) and am considering a move to Williamsport sometime within the next 6 months.

I've already heard all of Williamsport's horror stories (the bigoted rednecks/Uncle Toms, the crime, lack of jobs, and the unhappiness of residents in general), and to be honest, none of it really bothers me, as I'm moving from probably the worst place I've ever lived in (Philipsburg, Centre County, PA)

So what I'm asking is: Are there any POSITIVES Williamsport has to offer for young(er) people, or is it basically just another retirement town that Pennsylvania is full of?

If Williamsport falls out of my favor, how about opinions on any of the following as well: Scranton, Reading, Harrisburg, or York?

Move to Wilkes-Barre, you'll like it much better.

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by dinkisyourgod

I am a younger person (25, to be exact) and am considering a move to Williamsport sometime within the next 6 months.

I've already heard all of Williamsport's horror stories (the bigoted rednecks/Uncle Toms, the crime, lack of jobs, and the unhappiness of residents in general), and to be honest, none of it really bothers me, as I'm moving from probably the worst place I've ever lived in (Philipsburg, Centre County, PA)

So what I'm asking is: Are there any POSITIVES Williamsport has to offer for young(er) people, or is it basically just another retirement town that Pennsylvania is full of?

If Williamsport falls out of my favor, how about opinions on any of the following as well: Scranton, Reading, Harrisburg, or York?

All I can say is PA is PA.

You're probably better off in the larger 'more progressive' areas such as Harrisburg or even York which seems to be more of a college area,as well as the State College area.

[wanneroo]

Williamsport would never be my first choice for anything, but I can think of much worse in PA. My sister lives there and when I am actually home I usually go down there every week or two. There is a younger crowd somewhat as there are a few colleges around. The downtown has been dramatically improved recently and is quite nice with some restaurants and shops down there. Some of it too depends on where you live in town as some neighborhoods are a little run down and others are quite nice.

I guess a lot of it depends specifically on what you are looking for.

[dinkisyourgod]

Originally Posted by StuckPA

All I can say is PA is PA.

You're probably better off in the larger 'more progressive' areas such as Harrisburg or even York which seems to be more of a college area,as well as the State College area.

I'm actually trying to leave the State College area (Philipsburg) because there's nothing here.

[Dawne]

As noted, Williamsport has two colleges and the downtown has seen a great revitalization. There are many entertainment opportunities, with the Center for Performing Arts downtown pulling in a wide variety of famous entertainers. There are nice local eateries. Bullfrog Brewery (love the name!) comes to mind. It's not that far from Philipsburg, so why not take a drive over one weekend and check it out for yourself, do some exploring, walk the downtown, and see what you think.

[bobsmith]

I am a former SE Pennsylvanian who has lived in Williamsport for two month now, and I mainly have to say "so far so good". I think this is an absolutely beautiful area. The downtown is very nice, and you can't beat the mountians in the area. There is crime, but it is much less than the larger mid-sized cities of PA like Reading. Almost all of the people I've met who are Williamsport born and raised have a positive oppinion of this area, including my landlord who lived in New Mexico for a bit. It is true that the job market is a little weak around here right now. But I have to say overall I've enjoyed living in the city so far.

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by bobsmith

Almost all of the people I've met who are Williamsport born and raised have a positive oppinion of this area, including my landlord who lived in New Mexico for a bit. It is true that the job market is a little weak around here right now. But I have to say overall I've enjoyed living in the city so far.

Of course the people who were born & raised there are going to have a positive opinion of the place,they don't know any better

Anyway good luck there.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by bobsmith

There is crime, but it is much less than the larger mid-sized cities of PA like Reading.

I've noticed since the new mayor has come on board the Police presence is much more visible especially in certain areas that seemed to be trouble spots before. I don't know if that is coincidence or not? I've also noticed a sharp reduction in the number of drug dealer types lounging around on street corners in certain neighborhoods.

[bobsmith]

Originally Posted by StuckPA

Of course the people who were born & raised there are going to have a positive opinion of the place,they don't know any better

Anyway good luck there.

I don't know, the majority of the people in most parts of Pennsylvania including "prosperous" Bucks County had anywhere-but-here syndrome. Admittandly many of the young people in Williamsport do and its mostly the fifty-plus crowd that loves it the most.