Best, So-So and Worst Towns in PA (Pittsburgh, Lebanon: house, neighborhood)

[sarasum]

It all depends on your style. I grew up in a small town in Washington County and it's kind of a "red neck" town (at least that is what it seems like now). There are many charming suburbs near Pittburgh (good examples mentioned in an earlier post include Mt. Lebanon/South Hills area) that offer a bit more diversity and have a more open-minded population. People complain about Allegheny county taxes but I live in NJ now and Allegheny property taxes are like loose change compared to what we have to pay here.

[lhermey]

It's important to check out the # of sex offenders in each town. I was very surprised to find that many of them reside in Scranton, a city I was considering moving to.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by lhermey

It's important to check out the # of sex offenders in each town. I was very surprised to find that many of them reside in Scranton, a city I was considering moving to.

There are sex offenders EVERYWHERE.

Keep your kids safe by using common sense instead of relying on statistics to give you false security!

[denise817]

Stay away from Schuylkill County. Very economically depressed. Nothing to do and not a lot of job opportunity.

[toobusytoday]

I love our adopted town of Coopersburg in Lehigh County - Southern Lehigh School district. We have lived in four states and have been in Pennsylvania for the last 20 years. We've lived in several counties in the Southeastern part of the state and even in Harrisburg for a summer. This is the place to raise a family. The only thing it is lacking is racial diversity. Our schools are about 95% white. I'm glad to say that is changing.

When we moved into our current house almost 10 years ago we had a half dozen neighbors come to greet us with their entire family and many brought food! I play bunco with a neighborhood group of women monthly and think nothing of borrowing (or having something borrowed) a cooking or yard item from one of them. In fact we share a snow blower with one neighbor and 4 other neighbors share two more.

In the fall there is a community day where the non-profits, crafty people and small businesses get together with the local HS and neighborhood bands. There's also a day of giving when one of the churches sponsors a big fundraiser for one or two community members - often not a member of that church. There are many more churches then bars.

There's a Halloween parade in October, caroling in the street one night in December, football (we stink, band is great) is popular in the fall for Friday nights. Our soccer team has gone to the states for the last couple of years. Schools have a great repuation and are all middle states certified. Schools are generally small and starting to become crowded. This should be relieved when our new 4th-6th grade building is done in 2009.

One University, DeSales, is within our school district and five more four year colleges are within 45 minutes. We have a new wonderful libary built almost three years ago. A new upscale (sort of) outdoor living center opened in the fall. Downside is that housing costs are high and are open space is being eaten by McMansion development. But, this is not the sprawl that we experienced first hand in Chester and Delaware counties. Slower and more controlled. The western part of Southern Lehigh school district is still lacking a sewer system which helps. Oh, and it's really pretty to boot. I love driving down the road and seeing a view of hills and pastures. My suggestion, if someone wants to move here, is to buy an existing house and not contribute any more McMansions to the area. Just say no to sprawl.

[mechtm84]

Stay away from central PA and eastern PA, and NEPA, as well as Killadelphia, which is a given. All the towns are dumps. And I've heard that Western PA sucks too, very economically depressed. So that leaves the wilderness of the northern part of the state. Have fun fending off the grizzly bears.

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

Our schools are about 95% white. I'm glad to say that is changing.

Hey hey hey, what do you have against us peckerwoods? I'm offended by your comment. If you don't like white people then go live somewhere where there ain't no whites, but don't bash a whole race.

[NittanyLion]

Originally Posted by mechtm84

Stay away from central PA and eastern PA, and NEPA, as well as Killadelphia, which is a given. All the towns are dumps. And I've heard that Western PA sucks too, very economically depressed. So that leaves the wilderness of the northern part of the state. Have fun fending off the grizzly bears.



Hey hey hey, what do you have against us peckerwoods? I'm offended by your comment. If you don't like white people then go live somewhere where there ain't no whites, but don't bash a whole race.

What parts of central Pa where you talking about? Please give county and town names.

[Tom6623]

Definately stay away from Central PA, around the State College area. If you want a huge city, Philly is great with some nice suburbs, but is somewhate expensive. Pittsburgh is my personal favorite. Fun city, not too expensive, nice area. The Scranton area is up-and-coming if you're looking for a smaller city. If you're looking rural, northern PA is beautiful.

[NittanyLion]

Originally Posted by Tom6623

Definately stay away from Central PA, around the State College area. If you want a huge city, Philly is great with some nice suburbs, but is somewhate expensive. Pittsburgh is my personal favorite. Fun city, not too expensive, nice area. The Scranton area is up-and-coming if you're looking for a smaller city. If you're looking rural, northern PA is beautiful.

Please tell me what you think is wrong with the State College area! Just to say stay away from it means nothing. You have to give reasons and examples.

[Suzer]

I did some reading up on the town that was mentioned in this thread, Centralia, the town that has the underground coal fires burning.

Interesting web site on the town:
http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/centralia.htm