Best, So-So and Worst Towns in PA (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: townhome, purchase)

[JR6139]

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!

Hey... I just came up with an awesome idea then.. (maybe not as awesome of an idea as your stuck up NY A$$ would have but here goes anyway...)
If you don't like living in PA..... then MOVE BACK TO NY YOU IDIOT! Why would you live some place where you are, apparently, miserable and so much more better then everyone else around you? We don't need you here. We know how to drive... you idiots bring your lousy driving habits HERE and expect US to conform?!? Bl*W ME you moron!

GO EAGLES!!!!

[JR6139]

Originally Posted by 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.

The majority of people living in Lower Mac. are snot noses from NY (they hate it here but, for some odd, unknown reason, have decided to LIVE here and make things miserable for the people of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas) and have brought their sh*tty driving habits, "I'm from New York and have more money then you", go eat sh*t attitudes.
I'm from Philly and never back down from these idiots.

**If you were a Giants fan you'd be miserable too... GO BIRDS!!**

[JR6139]

Originally Posted by soulsurv

For those of you interested in SE PA, Delaware County contains quite a few nice suburbs. Some of the best school districts include Radnor, Wallingford-Swarthmore, Haverford, Rose Tree-Media, and Marple-Newtown, plus a host of private high schools.

Media, our county seat, is a lovely, historical town with a great mix of people from all walks of life, some excellent restaurants, local theatre and many community activities. Middletown, which my town borders, is part of the Rose Tree-Media district and contains a very community-conscious working farm named Linvilla Orchards - always something going on for the kids (petting zoo, hay rides, festivals, cartoon characters, etc.,) as well as acres of pick your own fruits and veggies, a farmers' market and some of the best pies you'll ever eat.

Within a 2-22 mile radius of my home is: Swarthmore College, Widener University, Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Rosemont Colleges, Villanova, Eastern College, Cabrini College, St. Joseph University, Immaculata College, University of Penn and Penn Medical, Veterinary Penn (one of the best on the globe), Jefferson University Medical, Temple University and Temple Medical, Drexel University, Hahneman (or whatever it is now) University, Phila College of Pharmacy, Phila College of Osteopathy, Phila. College of Textiles, several art colleges and musical conservatories, Phila College of Bible and a plethora of junior colleges, trade and technical schools.

Our county offers a short drive to the city with all it has to offer. I'll try to post some links later if time permits.

I'm up in Catasauqua, Lehigh County, but originally from Norwood, Delco. and I love and miss it down there dearly, but I don't miss not being able to drive anywhere between 3p & 7p because of the herrendous traffic and traffic signals that are in sync for 1955 style traffic. Esp. Chester Pike (Rt.13) running through Darby, Sharon Hill, Glenolden, Folcroft, Norwood, Prospect Park, etc. Too congested and with traffic coming and going into the city at those times... forget about it!

[JR6139]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Sullivan County is a very nice place to live! I think "BlackCat" was offended because I basically called Eagles Mere a "tourist trap" (which it is!), and that's how we got into our little argument. I won't argue with the fact that Sullivan County is probably one of the only counties in PA yet untainted by urban sprawl, which is a definite plus in my book! My main gripe comes with the fact that it's quite simply too far from major employers, nightlife, shopping, etc. The average Sullivan County resident commutes 26 minutes each way to work (I'm assuming to Lycoming County), and I just personally feel as if that's a bit far. (Don't forget that this is 26 minutes of unimpeded driving too---It's not like NJ where you'd go 3 miles in 26 minutes! LOL!) It's an HOUR to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for minor-league hockey, baseball, football, concerts, big-box stores, etc. (Williamsport offers some urban amenities, but they pale in comparison). This may be a good bet for a retiree looking to unwind on a front porch overlooking a lake while reading the local newspaper everyday in retirement, but if you're looking to be dually-employed, earn a decent living, and be near to conveniences, then it isn't the place for you!

Yes, Dushore is like the "Downtown" of Sullivan County, but it still won't satisfy someone moving here from a larger area who is accustomed to Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Starbucks, etc. Only move here if you know you can give these things up! I rant on and on about this because I'm seeing this phenomenon happen NOW in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, where New Yorkers are piling into Pike County and then complaining about being "bored out of their minds!" The same would happen to transplants moving to Sullivan County---I just don't want to see the county become spoiled with new housing filled with people who don't appreciated a quieter, more-relaxed pace of life. If I hear one more New Yorker complain that the Poconos doesn't have an IKEA yet, I think I'm going to have to slap them upside the head with a whoopie pie!

BlackCat, this is my main gripe! Trust me! You do NOT want people from NY/NJ starting to lick their lips while looking at places like Lopez and Shunk; they'll die! If they can't handle living just 40 minutes from Scranton now in Pike County, then how will they be able to handle living an HOUR AWAY? They won't! Please try to work to keep your county the unspoiled sanctuary of pristine woodlands it currently is! Would you really want Sullivan County to become the next Monroe County?

**If a New Yorker wants to shop at an IKEA all they have to do is hop on 476 and run down to King of Prussia... oh wait... they are afraid to go into the Philly 'burbs.... they can't run the show down there like they think they do in the Poconos...

[LINYSoxFan]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

I'm not really anti-New Yorker; I just hate how they're moving here in droves and then bashing our area left and right as if it was some sort of hell on earth! Please, New Yorkers, if you're only interested in PA for the more affordable housing prices and don't think you can stand to live without Saks, Duane-Reed, and IKEA on every corner, then do not move here! I would be pleased to have you all move here in droves if you were appreciative of our scenery, friendliness, etc. instead of whining en masse about how "horrible PA is." You have nobody but yourselves to blame if you move to the Poconos based upon some "pie in the sky" description from one greedy realtor and are now suffering because of it---Do your homework first! I'm a very welcoming person, but don't think I'm willing to embrace any New Yorker who does nothing but bash the region!

I couldn't agree with you more- and I'm a (soon-to-be former) NY'er. I praise your area for all the scenery and friendliness as well as the simple life and the quality of life. I love walking into a restaurant on a Friday night where everyone knows everyone else and they're all talking about the game or an other community event. Ooooh- it's just heaven for me. And then turn on WNEP and the bad news isn't so bad after all- at least not compared to NY. I'd gladly pay NY taxes to live in your area- the quality of life is worth it and more. But the taxes we pay in NY just aren't worth our quality life there. I have a 2nd home in the Moscow area- it's actually the place that I call HOME but can not yet reside there- just waiting for the youngest to graduate HS. My PA taxes are what I pay for car insurance in NY- isn't that sick? So- if you know of a NY'er who's willing to trade- just hook me up. I'm packed and ready to go.

[bap64]

Hello to all. I am originally from New Alex/Blairsville area and have lived in central Florida for too long, 16 years. Florida sucks and crime is too high and I am thinking about moving back to Pa, preferably Latrobe area because I have always liked it there. What is crime like there? How much has that area grown, if any? Any input would be appreciated.

[woodsmaninberks]

its is largly rural with coudersport as an old time city. I you want no crime, few people, no noise or light pollution and very little else except nature this is the place. I hear Forrest county dosent even have traffic lights. By the way Berks county leads PA in the most preserverd farms so if you are into amish type places MOST OF Berks is ok too. Reading is a disaster but thats about it.

[yogagirl54]

My great-grandmother lived in Centralia and when I was young (in the late '50's, early 60's) we would visit and play on the piles of coal that where everywhere. It really is strange driving through there and seeing what it has become.

[yogagirl54]

UGH-Catasauqua-We moved here 22 years ago for the supposedly great school system. What a huge mistake. Filled with elitist people with not too much to show for it. Life in a small town and not much more than a slummy suburb of Allentown. You have to know the secret handshake!

[Duderino]

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.

It's a shame that you've had such a bad social experience here. Yeah, many PA natives act aloof to newcomers -- even if you come from another part of the state -- but I honestly think that's true for natives of any state. However, I would never go as far as to say that characterizes the majority of PA'ns, let alone the make us "the worst in the country." Having been raised in MontCo myself, I've always found this area to be a place of strong community with plenty of friendly interactions -- even with people new to the area. Especially in an region as active and vibrant as Southeastern PA, you'd honestly have to have been living under a rock to not be satisfied with the social activity. From a strong presence of church life and tons of community organzations, I don't know how you would have come to that conclusion simply unless you did not try.
As far as intelligence, I don't know how one could characterize PA as less smart than any other state. Again, especially in SE PA, our area of the state has some of the highest graduation rates and college degree holders in the country. The whole driving and food comments, I believe, are relative to each state.

Originally Posted by Time2Moov

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!

That's because MontCo, and the rest of the Delaware Valley for that matter, is becoming overrun by sprawl -- which naturally brings a higher cost of living. You're correct that the cost of living here used to be lower, but it's the same effect of every growing metropolitan area (higher taxes, inflation, etc.). If you really wanted to escape the high NY cost of living, suburban Philly really is not the best place to have settled. Again, it's a shame that this area did not suit you, but hopefully you find what you're looking for in the future.