Walkable Cities-Towns-Villages in PA.......... (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: to rent, condos, appliances)

[CHIP72]

Most of Harrisburg is definitely walkable, though parts of it are on the rough side. Stick with midtown, the area north of Division Street, or the small neighborhoods in/near downtown (one being the small neighborhood between the State Museum and the Susquehanna River, the other being Shipoke).

If you like big city living, Center City Philadelphia is very walkable and the most part very nice too.

Truth be told, most towns in Pennsylvania are walkable. The question is whether they are nice or in decline and past their prime.

[PeterRabbit]

Village of Shadyside in Pittsburgh.

[Lion11]

Bellefonte is a small victorian town that is very walkable with nice shops and some beautiful buildings. Many nice homes near downtown. Linn and Curtain steets have the most lovely victorian homes, if you are into that. If you want something larger, State College is 15 minutes away and since its a college town it has tons of great resturants and boutiques downtown. Plus, there are many nice neighbohoods within walking distance. However, football Saturdays can be a hassle. minutes from SC you'll find Boalsburg, which claims to be the founder of Memorial Day, and has some adorable shops. State College is a great place to retire to:State College, Pennsylvania: Best Places to Retire - USNews.com

[PA2UK]

Oh yeah, I didn't think of Bellefonte. It's away from the student area of State College but is a quaint, somewhat walkable town. Down side is that it's as near to a big city whereas the other areas I mentioned are usually about an hour drive away from Philly. Closest city to State College/Bellefonte is Harrisburg which is at least an hour and a half. Pittsburgh, close to 3 hours. Philly - over 3 hours.

Bellefonte also doesn't get as good of a walkablity score, only a 62, though I expected it to be higher: Walk Score - Helping homebuyers, renters, and real estate agents find houses and apartments in great neighborhoods.

I think it would help if you narrowed down what type of place you're looking for other than "walkable". Would you be comfortable in a student/University town? Do you want to be within an hour or so drive of a major city like Philly or are you happy to be in a more "isolated" town? Are you willing to look into living IN a major city instead? Another thought - eastern PA is often within a day trip to the Jersey Shore, are you interested in that? I personally loved living in the suburbs of Philly because for one reason, it's only a 2 hour drive to the beach. True, it's Jersey, not exactly the Caribbean, but still enjoyable, especially if you have any grandkids yet?

[W-B proud]

I pick the village of Jim Thorpe. it is small, compact, and one of Pa's most beautiful towns. It looks like it should be in Switzerland or something Welcome to Jim Thorpe

[sr1234]

Originally Posted by BackToTheCityMouse

What about Harrisburg? Is Harrisburg not walkable? What about all those real estate listings for new construction and rehabs that are trying to sell the properties to 'downsizers' and 'empty nesters', as well as yuppies looking for starter homes? Is there some kind of age segregation thing going on in town?

I can understand that if people have to get up early for work or school they wouldn't appreciate some financially independent boomer blaring Smoke on the Water (or in my case the Ring Cycle) out the window at 4AM. So, what's the story?

Harrisburg (the city) is terrible. They need some MAJOR rehab downtown. I wouldn't walk around after 4pm there.

[CHIP72]

Originally Posted by sr1234

Harrisburg (the city) is terrible. They need some MAJOR rehab downtown. I wouldn't walk around after 4pm there.

Well, I learned something today - one of the synonyms in the dictionary for "ignorant" is "sr1234".

[househuntinginPA]

I love the website walkscore.com. I typed in my Easton address and we score a "94": a walker's paradise! My house in NJ scored a "3" out of 100. Very, very interesting! Yay, Easton!!

[BackToTheCityMouse]

I've been asking women my own age who have lived all their lives in the Harrisburg area (some in the city) and the consensus is pretty much that Harrisburg has issues, regardless of the revitalization taking place.

Some of the real estate listings I found of interest had demographic info for that zip code, so I checked it out. 17102 has more men than women living there, which I think is unusual for an urban environment that has a mix of rehabed and low-end housing. It's been my experience that all the 20-somethings I've met who are either renting an apt in H'burg or sharing a rented house with friends there are guys.

I can kinda see that a lot of rehabs are done to appeal more to males. One rehaber seems to specialize in dark kitchens with dark wood cabinetry, dark stone countertops, stainless steel/black appliances -- but no under cabinet integral lighting or glass front lit-from-within cabinets, and only one dim ceiling fixture. An earthy kitchen works better in a larger space with more natural light. It's not a good idea for a row house with small windows only at the front and back. But I suppose you don't need much light to microwave a snack or get to the 'fridge for an adult beverage. I don't want to cook with a snake flashlight around my neck. While other more established urban areas have rehabs and condos with that kitchen configuration, the designers seem to realize that stone/stainless/dark wood is contemporary and always add contemporary lighting -- lots of it. Not one frosted repro Art Nouveau ceiling fixture, which belongs in a retro kitchen with white everything to make the most of what little light there is.

So, while I'm sure there are plenty of areas that are urban walkable in Harrisburg, I don't think I am ready to purchase a home there without a lot more information. And some understanding of that 'brohemia' vibe I sometimes get about H'burg.

Maybe I will wait out the rest of the economic collapse and see what will fall into my price range in other parts of the country.

[sr1234]

Originally Posted by CHIP72

Well, I learned something today - one of the synonyms in the dictionary for "ignorant" is "sr1234".

what's up with the insults? i guess you don't like someone using their free speech rights.

I am sorry that run down buildings, soup kitchens, boarded up shops, drug dealers, and homeless people in the streets qualifies as "very desirable walking community" for you. To the rest of us, we would prefer something better.

ps. To anyone that hasn't visited Harrisburg, stay in the car and drive around the Capitol building area. see how our PA tax dollars are at work in our economy. it is an embarrassment.