Is return to PA a good idea (Pittsburgh, York: versus, cabin)

[goodgirl49]

Originally Posted by Tama

Hmmm--I got married on March 18th in the Lehigh Valley. There was snow on the ground and it was cold. By March in the South we no longer need even a sweater and usually are in short sleeves. Until you live like that for 30 years it is hard to understand the difficulty of going back to the longer months of winter.
For me, I think it really isn't the cold though or the snow. It is the fact that where I am now the skies are blue all year round. Only a day or two will be cloudy and then that quickly changes. No long term gloomy days. So the people are cheerful--I can't stress that enough. I remember on my last visit home tp Pa I went out for some shopping. People would pass me and not make eye contact but would tuck their heads down and scowl. I was reminded of how different the South is. People give cheery hellos when you enter a shop or pass them by, wait people and clerks chat, retailers help you locate something in a rival business if they don't have it, and in general people of all ages are well-groomed and coiffed and polite in public. It is very unusual to see someone with a sour expression. It makes for a more relaxed and warm environment.
Hence the dilemma about moving back---I think it will take a while to make this decision.

I'm kind of surprised that skies would be blue in Louisiana year round. Don't you get a lot of rain? I was once in New Orleans for two weeks in April and it rained every day. It probably just clears up fast after it rains. Here in CA we certainly get a lot of blue skies. Sometimes I get tired of the constant sun, especially when it's hot, and I welcome a cloudy day. I can understand where you are coming from with the friendliness though. It seems like in places where the weather is better, the people are friendlier. When I lived in PA I didn't feel it had any connection to the weather, but I think it does. Out here though, people dress any way. Some are very appearance conscious, but it usually has to do with not being overweight and very fit, not necessarily with dress. I think in the south, people can be a little more formal.

[Johnny C]

Originally Posted by Tama

Don't be deceived by the stereotypes out there. Come and see. Public appearance means public preparedness.--

I lived in the south for six years. I saw no difference in grooming standards.

Nice folks though.

[Tama]

dan and Johnny----Perhaps it is where in the South. I mean I wouldn't put Miami or most of Florida's east coast in that box culturally. Also having lived in PA in the Lehigh Valley and then for several years in Philadelphia--there is a definite difference there---the city being more abrupt and impersonal--yes--the friendly city--but still the South-the deep South-and the traditional South is much more civil IMHO. But I think PA folks are easier to get closer to and part of the group. In the South one tends to clique.
I am not sure about the Carolinas either. Haven't spent any time there. But Mississippi, LA. Tn, Georgia---fit what I am talking about. I found Virginia to be very genteel in manner.
Johnny--You didn't find Southern women to be more "dressed up""?? I am surprised.

[chazztrons]

Thanks Crem,

Fall and Spring are my fav seasons too!!

[Stephanie P]

Originally Posted by cremebrulee

Yes you do! But seriously, I love Fall and Sping...They are so beautiful, happy, crisp, colorful, and alive, are they not?

Many many years ago, I worked in Sinking Springs....

Hugs
creme

I can't wait to experience my first Fall in PA! And Winter, and Spring and Summer... After looking at so many photos this past year, it just looks beautiful!

[cremebrulee]

Originally Posted by Stephanie P

I can't wait to experience my first Fall in PA! And Winter, and Spring and Summer... After looking at so many photos this past year, it just looks beautiful!

It is....
If you get a chance, drive up to Northern PA, stay a weekend. It's a trip...so vast, forests that seem untouched and pure...air is cleaner...it's just so beautiful
also, go visit Falling Water in Western PA
The poconos is a great place, my favorite eating place is the Meadowbrook Inn and so so many other sites
Philadelphia is so much fun, so many shows, art, and the Reading Terminal...whooo hoooo....I love that place...
In the summer you can take a Carriage Ride thru ol' City and end up down by the river....I take a book along and read, then take the plash bus back. There are so many great places to eat in Philly.
Your only 2 hours from the beach, my fav is Long Beach Island and Cape May. Take the Cape May Ferry over to Roehobuth Beach....(sorry I can't spell worth a darn)
Hit Music Fest in Bethlehem...it runs 7 days and is tons of fun
Mayfair in the spring, which is on Hamilton Blvd. at Cedar Beach.
Lancaster is a hoot, and Shady Maple is the greatest buffet

You can take a train to New York...or drive...Oh How I love New York.

And then there are the Great Lakes, Ontario and Erie....

My god, there is an entire symphony going on out there and endless possiblities, Grand Canyon, PA....New Hope, Lambertville, so so many festivals going on in the summer....

I love PA!!!!!
and I've been to Florida, Virginia, Texas, West Virginia, GA, Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri, Boston Rhode Island, Chincoteaque, the Bahamas but I love PA the best....
actually there is so much beauty right here in the U.S. So many great places to experience.

Hugs
Creme

[sickofpennsylvania]

I moved back here 4 years ago to be near my family and I have regretted it! I love my family, but I don't love PA as much as they do! It's been nice that I am close to them now, but they all have their own lives, and I learned pretty quick that I had to get a life of my own! I didn't have the emotional support, social network of friends back here. By the way, it has been extremely difficult moving back here and making friends. Most of the people I knew left this place and never came back.

Now I could see if someone had to move back here beause their folks were ill, or in a nursing home, or need special help to see that their needs are met, but just to move back here to be close to family members is hard to say, I guess it would all depend on how close you are to your family???

The seasons are nice to experience again, but here it is in a nutshell:

It's starts to get cold in October, while the leaves are changing, and then November, December, January, February, March, and April are dark, gray, and cold. It rains, sleet, freezing, and flurries. Since global warming has struck, it just rains all winer long now, and it's cold, but not as cold as New England or Chicago, but to me, moving from a warmer, "perfect" climate, I consider it COLD. When I have to bundle up, and shiver when I am outside and takes me forever to warm my bones when I come inside from being outside, it's COLD. Being housebound most of the winter is just the pits! Cabin Fever is not fun at all, and life is way too short to sit around!!! I feel like my life is passing me by!!! It's just too cold to do anything!!!

Then May comes and everything is blooming, and if you have hayfever, seasonal allergies, prepare to be taking Alavert or Benadryl for a straight month! Sometimes even into June, all the while you are just praying and waiting that summer will come!!!

Then June hits and the humidity is here and into July, August. All summer long there are thunderstorms, so planning anything after work into the summer evenings is difficult, because a thunderstorm rolls in, Hurricane season down in the Carribbean is the culprit for these storms!!! It rains and rains and rains.

Then September rolls around and you are finally enjoying the warm weather, after you body adjusts and gets use to the warmer temperatures, it starts to get cold AGAIN!!! \

And it is a vicious cycle, and it is just horrible.

I am working on a few things in my life. And one is not to feel guilty about leaving my family if I move out of PA again

I hope you make the right decision, it's a tough one! Think about it and make a list of the pros and cons and go from there!

Good Luck to you!!!

[sickofpennsylvania]

And one more thing, being close to NYC, Philly and New Jersey are nice, but I seem to be so busy with life, I have no time to even make time to go to visit those places! Even the money!!! Pennsylvania wages do not allow you to be able to afford day/weekend trips to NYC!!!

I would rather live in a warmer climate and fly and visit NYC or Philly!!! If I have to "get it out" of my system!

[cremebrulee]

[quote=sickofpennsylvania;6917978]It's starts to get cold in October, while the leaves are changing, and then November, December, January, February, March, and April are dark, gray, and cold. It rains, sleet, freezing, and flurries. Since global warming has struck, it just rains all winer long now, and it's cold, but not as cold as New England or Chicago, but to me, moving from a warmer, "perfect" climate, I consider it COLD. When I have to bundle up, and shiver when I am outside and takes me forever to warm my bones when I come inside from being outside, it's COLD. Being housebound most of the winter is just the pits! Cabin Fever is not fun at all, and life is way too short to sit around!!! I feel like my life is passing me by!!! It's just too cold to do anything!!!

OMG, what a negative nelly you are....

It doesn't rain ALL Winter, we have always had some very beautiful mild sunny days...but yes, it is winter, and you do get some weather, but nothing like years ago when I was a kid. You talk about cold, and tons of snow. For the past few years, it didn't get really cold until January, but hey, it's winter????? People pray for snow so they can ski. No matter where you go, it is what you make of it, and there is NO Perfect Climate.

Far as I'm concerned, we're pretty darn lucky living in PA, no hurricanes, no earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados, not much flooding....

Then May comes and everything is blooming, and if you have hayfever, seasonal allergies, prepare to be taking Alavert or Benadryl for a straight month! Sometimes even into June, all the while you are just praying and waiting that summer will come!!!

Then move....

Then June hits and the humidity is here and into July, August. All summer long there are thunderstorms, so planning anything after work into the summer evenings is difficult, because a thunderstorm rolls in, Hurricane season down in the Carribbean is the culprit for these storms!!! It rains and rains and rains.

You have GOT to be kidding??????? So what your saying is, every single night a thunder storm rolls in....what about the droughts we've had. Yes, spring used to be the rainy season...and you need those rains to fill up the ground water...and the hurricanes which you claim causes us such severe weather, are called the Noreasters...which brings the entire eastern coast much needed rain a lot of times.

Then September rolls around and you are finally enjoying the warm weather, after you body adjusts and gets use to the warmer temperatures, it starts to get cold AGAIN!!!

Lately say the past five winters, it hasn't gotten really really cold, we've had some very mild lovely winters, with days recorded near 60 degrees...and nights not going below 32 degrees. This winter so far has had some cold days, but hey it's winter, and we've had more mild pretty days then cold.

Me thinks no matter where you go, you could find fault. yanno?

And it is a vicious cycle, and it is just horrible.

Oh yes, it is just so Gwad Awful Bad!

come er, you need a hug....
Creme

[chazztrons]

No Doubt Creme,

I really miss all that stuff.
Everyplace has its ups and downs,
No matter where you live.
I am an eastern girl.
And plan on stayin that way !!