Best, So-So and Worst Towns in PA (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: relocating, rent)

[ker8]

Originally Posted by TLA

stay away from the Lake Erie (NW Pennsylvania) area. Horrible winters and usually summers and the job market here is horrible. We are actually relocating to the south due to these and other issues. There is also been a lot of trouble up here with Meth labs. Hope this helps.

WOW! You really have some issues with Erie, now don't you.

The truth is, Erie has it's problems, like all other cities. HOWEVER, it has it's good points too. First, it's crime rate is VERY LOW. MUCH MUCH LOWER than any of the other large cities in PA. Hardly any murders occur, car theft is extremely low, etc. I don't think the drug rate is particularly low, but I also don't think it's above average either.

As to the job market, that part is true. There aren't very many ways someone without a college degree can make a good living. There are jobs out there, but the more time goes on, the fewer manufacturing jobs there are it seems.

As for the "Meth labs", I highly doubt there's more here than there is in any other city of similar/larger size. However, as Erie is located smack dab between Pittsburgh/Cleveland/Buffalo, and not far from Detroit, etc, it wouldn't surprise me if there is a lot of drugs running through Erie.

Also, if you stay out of Erie, and in the townships in Erie Co. instead, it's EXTREMELY nice. The people are friendly, not much road rage.

I'm in Cleveland for college, and whenever I get out of here and back to Erie, I'm extremely happy. I can't stand the big city rush of everything here. And although Erie is a city, it runs like a very small knit community.

Oh, and as for the "horrible winters/summers", that's all a personal opinion. Personally, I like the winters. Yes, they are long and they are cold and snowy, but I like snow. And the summers really aren't bad at all. They're humid and hot, but THAT'S HOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE!

[ker8]

Originally Posted by Time2Moov

Let me know when you find a nice town in PA, doubt you will! Aside from a select few, I think Pennsylvanians are the worst people in the country. They're anti-social, rude, can't drive, and have the worst food I have ever tasted. I could write for hours recounting bad experiences with people in this state. The word "neighborly" is not in their creed. They also seem to be no smarter than a box of rocks. I cannot tell you how many times I've nodded my head in agreement talking to someone that was mentally unarmed, just to avoid pointing out their stupidity.

We moved down here 7 years ago to get away from NY cost of living. Well, since it appears to have followed us, we're headed back. The difference is marginal now (Montgomery County vs. Long Island). It's a little more in LI, but definitely worth it. I'm sorry, but to live here it would have to be like "Wyoming cheap". If you compare salary to housing down here, the ratio is now worse in PA. Buh-bye!

Ummm....just wondering, but where exactly in PA were you??? B/c if it was Philadelphia, that is NOT what most of PA is like. I've lived in Western PA all my life, and nearly everyone is very nice and hospitable. Also, my grandparents grew up in Cambria county (mostly all farms) and the people out there are VERY nice.

Most of the "REAL" PA is farming country, with extremely nice, and yes neighborly people.

[ker8]

Originally Posted by Windwalker

I moved from TN to Pittsburgh and found I knew more neighbors in 2 months than I knew in 10-yrs in TN, which is kinda surprising considering the friendliness of Tennesseans (to caucasian visitors, at least). I was always considered a **** Yankee in TN who didn't fit in even after 20 years.

As a general rule, I agree that PA folks are rather rude and unfriendly and don't go out of their way to make you feel welcome. But in my neighborhood in Pittsburgh, which was designed as a front-porch kinda neighborhood in the early 1900's, folks know one another, stop and talk as they walk their dogs, watch out for one another, etc. It probably all depends upon your neighborhood, where you're coming from, and what you're looking for, which is why neighborhoods are a big deal in cities here.

Pittsburgh is a beautiful city with lots to do. Magnet schools are strong; other public schools can be troubled.

Property and all other taxes are out of control compared to TN, but housing is quite inexpensive. We bought a big old Vic with original woodwork throughout, 6 brs, 4 original tile fireplaces, huge stained-glass dining room window for $110k 8 years ago. We had to put in a new kitchen and bath, but our house would sell for $500-600k in Nashville in a similar neighborhood.

There are many quaint old towns in PA that are pretty but quite conservative. Ligionier is a pretty town. I think Litiz is gorgeous, but I've only visited. Gettysburg and the whole Lancaster area has traffic problems from growth now, but these are relative.

I've been shocked by blatant racism and anti-Catholicism I've witnessed here (this from a white Protestant). In many ways, it's worse in most of PA (with the possible exception of Philly) than it was in TN (and that ain't good!). The south had to deal with its problems after Civil Rights, but that didn't really happen as much here. Many of the suburbs of Pittsburgh were the result of white flight.

Mostly, I find the conservatism in PA about provincialism and resistance to change. (I can't speak for Philly in this regard.)

But of course it all depends upon where you are and who you're with. If you run with a more open-minded, cultured, academic crowd, you'll find that in Pittsburgh. But you'll also find lots of old Germanic, Italian, Irish, Eastern European immigrants from the 19th century still practicing things from the old country, too. That can be both good and bad.

I'm not sure about Pittsburgh, I suppose it could be anti-Catholic, but if you just go north a little ways, most of PA is Catholic. For example, Erie Co is at least 85% Catholic. Also, in Cambria Co, it's mostly Catholic. Those are really the only two counties I know much about, however.

[Katiana]

According to this website, most of the Pittsburgh area is 25-50 % Catholic. My hometown of Beaver Falls was at least 50% Catholic. When I was a kid, there was a fair amount of anti-Catholic sentiment among the Protestants, who were in the minority.

http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo...n/catholic.gif

[zinger5]

move to state college! it is one of the fastest growing and safest cities in th US. It has repeatedly been named one of the top ten safest places in the us...top ten places to raise a family...and top ten places to become a millionaire. no joke.

[Mrspeanut]

Does anyone have info as to Pottsville's availability of alternative therapies.
We are considering this town or its surrounding area. I am a Reiki Master Teacher and would like to pursue employment at a medical facility. Many hospitals, oncology, burn units, obstectrics, etc are now incorporating such therapies. Does Pottsville?
I am also in the process of becoming a bee keeper on a small level.
My husband is Cree First Nation and does leatherwork. Is there a native representation in the community?
We are both musicians; he is a fiddler and mandolin player and I sing and play guitar. We presently have a cd available, The Crimson Cord, at cdbaby.com/cd/carlislelinda where you can hear samplings of our work. We want to know if there are local music jams and places to perform. The cd is only a sampling of the variety we play which includes Celtic, bluegrass, old time, standards, blues and pretty much whatever trips our triggers.
What are some local apt or small house prices (rent)?
Information about our interests in the area would be very helpful.
Lots of questions but this is where we begin. We have driven through the area and find it appealing visually.
Thanks,
Mrspeanut

[Catie]

Ohiogirl,

Lisa Scattoline mentions Centralia PA in one of her novels...I can't remember which one off hand...Centralia sure Sounds spooky...its frightening what happened there.

[judd2401]

If you want a large city, Pittsburgh would be your city. If you want a mid-sized city, Harrisburg would be your city, reasonable home prices, good access to NYC, Phila, Beaches, Baltimore, DC and 4 hours from Pittsburgh. If you want suburbia, your choice would depend on the school district as most suburbs including smaller cities are similar. If you want rural/suburbia, there are many counties that offer beautiful settings, cheaper land and housing, but watch out for the school districts. You may also want to consider access to shopping, and entertainment. The last developing counties that have access to civilization and not near major cities like Phila, Pittsburgh and Erie, are Perry, Juniata, Snyder and Northumberland counties, otherwise you're getting further out away from civilization. You would probably want to locate near a main route such as 11/15, 322 or other routes that would get you to shopping, dining and entertainment. University towns have their own charm and offerings such as Bloomsburg, Lewisburg and Selinsgrove near the counties stated above. Good luck with your relocation. Personally, I would steer clear from Phila and the surrrounding counties, crime is high, taxes are high, home prices are high, and having lived there for 10 years, I would never return to live but it's fun to visit.

[nocturnal rooster]

Stay outta York, Harrisburg, Reading, Allentown, Pottstown, Scranton, and Lancaster

[dwntwnradar]

I am giving some thought to PA, what would you say to a gay couple and the best place to live in PA?