Best, So-So and Worst Towns in PA (Pittsburgh, Allentown: housing, condo)

[Bossy28]

I can give a little background info on a couple towns listed above. I am originally from the Venango County area. I have family in Oilcity and Venus. I atteneded the Cranberry Schools there. Oilcity is a dying town and so many drugs there it is crazy. If you go out towards the Seneca, Cranberry Area, it is really building up. Lots of buildings and businesses moving in there. Not sure what the school is like anymore, but 3 of my nephews go there. I lived in venango county till I was around 23.

As far as the Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Duncansville Area, I currently live in the Hollidaysburg Area. My son's attend School here. My youngest son's school is the biggest of 4 elementary schools and has around 700 kids from grades k-6. My oldest is in the junior high and has around 900 students in grades 7-9. I know our kids are about 2 years ahead of the tyrone school district in what they are learning in school, and we have a fabulous music department. Both duncansville and hollidaysburg are pretty quiet cities and all kids from these 2 towns go to hollidaysburg schools. Altoona itself has alot of drugs and lately alot of drive by shootings. There is also alot of stores opening up in logan township which is on the outskirts of altoona. We just got a boscovs, michaels, ****'s sporting goods, Kohl's, and we have a border books coming in also, along with a bunch of other stores. I'm not to sure about the schools in altoona. Hope this gives some of you a look into the areas listed a bit.

[Stacey1968]

Originally Posted by Bossy28

I can give a little background info on a couple towns listed above. I am originally from the Venango County area. I have family in Oilcity and Venus. I atteneded the Cranberry Schools there. Oilcity is a dying town and so many drugs there it is crazy. If you go out towards the Seneca, Cranberry Area, it is really building up. Lots of buildings and businesses moving in there. Not sure what the school is like anymore, but 3 of my nephews go there. I lived in venango county till I was around 23.

As far as the Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Duncansville Area, I currently live in the Hollidaysburg Area. My son's attend School here. My youngest son's school is the biggest of 4 elementary schools and has around 700 kids from grades k-6. My oldest is in the junior high and has around 900 students in grades 7-9. I know our kids are about 2 years ahead of the tyrone school district in what they are learning in school, and we have a fabulous music department. Both duncansville and hollidaysburg are pretty quiet cities and all kids from these 2 towns go to hollidaysburg schools. Altoona itself has alot of drugs and lately alot of drive by shootings. There is also alot of stores opening up in logan township which is on the outskirts of altoona. We just got a boscovs, michaels, ****'s sporting goods, Kohl's, and we have a border books coming in also, along with a bunch of other stores. I'm not to sure about the schools in altoona. Hope this gives some of you a look into the areas listed a bit.

Thanks, Bossy28! I appreciate your taking the time to reply and thanks for your info!

Best,
Stacey1968

[MoonlightMadness]

Originally Posted by heatam

I grew up in the Northeast, but went to school in South Philly, taking 2 buses and the el to do so. I went to college in the northeast, in center city and then in North Philly. I taught in the northeast, and in North Philly. My best friend lived at 15th and Lombard, or 15th and Pine, I forget which. She had bars on her windows, hookers on the corner and living directly across the street, and drug dealers immediately next store. She loved her area for the culture, but the positives with the city-abundance of jobs, culture, don't outweigh the negatives: high crime, high violence, filthy neighborhoods (I hated driving through those, especially when I was scared), finding dime bags right on my front lawn and having to tell my 5 year old that no, it wasn't a pretty pink jewelry bag, having his bike stolen off of my own front lawn right in broad daylight and chasing the 6 year old and 3 brothers who rode away on them (and getting it back!)...high taxes, overpriced housing for what you don't get (not much yard, smaller square footage); having lockdowns in my school because of a gun shooting right out front...these are things that in different areas, do not happen. Now some people still love Philly, but I just had to state some things that I did experience (oh, I forgot to mention the two cars that were stolen!) Oh-and the time me and about 12 other co-workers were held up by 6 people holding shotguns at a restaurant!

Got to agree with you, heatam. I live in the Roxborough/Manayunk area. And as much as they say this is the safest part of the city, don't believe the hype. My neighborhood is infested with drug dealers (5 different houses). I went to the police about it and they told me that I didn't know what the heck I was talking about. A few days later all the drug dealers knew I snitched and they have been harrassing me ever since. That says to me someone is taking a payoff. There are crimes committed here but the police never show up to make a report, so it looks like this is a low-crime area. I'd love to move but my husband grew up here and doesn't want to leave (even though his family was smart enough to get out). Philly sux!

[MrTudo]

Great pictures.......still want to see all the pizza's!

[linnydamato]

bad news here, very backward town, no updates and very low employment around here, rents are high, and very few blacks.
in my opinion, someone else is in control around here, pollitical i am very sure.

[StaceyPSU]

I grew up in the Latrobe Area, my husband and I recently moved to Ligonier a few years ago. This is a great little town and it only takes us 10 to 15 minutes to get to restaurants/shopping. The scenery is beautiful and the people are friendly. It is such a small town and it is untouched by large companys. It is like stepping back into time. It is great for families. Idlewild park is in my back yard. I love the area. It is a great place to raise a family or retire

[Griffis]

Originally Posted by StaceyPSU

I grew up in the Latrobe Area, my husband and I recently moved to Ligonier a few years ago. This is a great little town and it only takes us 10 to 15 minutes to get to restaurants/shopping. The scenery is beautiful and the people are friendly. It is such a small town and it is untouched by large companys. It is like stepping back into time. It is great for families. Idlewild park is in my back yard. I love the area. It is a great place to raise a family or retire

This is great to hear. I've been concentrating more on the NE part of PA, but have been looking at some outlying areas outside of Pittsburgh too. Greensburg, Latrobe and Lingonier have all popped up. There is a real cool convention of monster/horror movie fanatics (like myself) that takes place up there hosted by a company called Creepy Classics. I sure would like to make the upcoming event and check the area out but it just isn't in the cards at the moment.

Anyways, congrats on finding such a good place!

[mm_mary73]

I grew up just outside of Scranton; Ligonier just sounds like it might be a cool place to live. "course, I am pronouncing it "lig-gone-ear". Down here, if you live in NC it's "Bow-fort" (Beaufort);in SC, it's Be-you-fert" (Beaufort)

[bnepler]

Lived in central PA, the Hershey area, very nice. Also lived in Chester county. Very rural but loved West Chester and Kennet Square. All three good for me.

[mom2X2]

we are also looking to move to pa specifically hazleton. I heard the city itself was not so hot to live in but the surrounding towns were great. We lived in the Lower Macungie area around Allentown and HATED it! People were stuck up, neighbors didnt talk to you and there was generally a keep to yourself kind of weird attitude. We DO NOT want this again! My kids HATED it! We want friendly, stereotypical can I borrow a cup of sugar nice american town. Any good opinions about the Hazleton area. We have a 14 and 11 year old and 22 month old twins. I am a stay at home mom and want a good old fashioned friendly town to live in.