Bedford and Somerset county (Lancaster, Harrisburg: real estate, house, theatre)

[Infotech]

I"m considering moving to the Bedford-Somerset county area.How is it with activities and social gatherings?I would like a change of pace from
the Lancaster County area in which I lived most of my life.I like to be in the mountains and see more wildlife than there is here.Can any locals advise me of places to meet people besides the bar scene?Im also interested in doing volunteer work do to being disabled.

[ki0eh]

My wife is from Bedford County, her folks are wonderful people and the area is beautiful. I've also dealt somewhat with volunteer organizations and municipalities in that area, and for that matter across much of the state.

However, the thought of someone moving there with no ties or no money seems pretty astounding. Homes seem to cost just about as much there as in the greater Harrisburg area, with far less job opportunity. (Retirees from DC/NoVA seem to drive up the costs.). For my relatives, society very much revolves around family and church.

Although folks often say that in rural communities everybody's related to everybody else, I honestly think that's more true in Bedford County than even other areas of rural PA.

In many of the coal areas of rural PA there are social or ethnic clubs - I don't see those in the Bedford area. Veterans' organizations, maybe.

I would suspect that the only real way to meet people in that area would be a church. You won't find a mega-church with a singles ministry though. There are of course many aspects of church functions where volunteers would be very welcome. Someone with money or computer background is often needed in volunteer or church groups, but despite the need I suspect many would not entrust their assets to an unknown outsider. Hopefully if you would make such a move, there would be some according to your abilities.

In other words - what outsiders often think of Lancaster County society, probably goes 2x or 3x for Bedford County. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the people. It just isn't going to be an accessible society to an outsider.

[Pureblood]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

However, the thought of someone moving there with no ties or no money seems pretty astounding. Homes seem to cost just about as much there as in the greater Harrisburg area, with far less job opportunity. (Retirees from DC/NoVA seem to drive up the costs.). For my relatives, society very much revolves around family and church.

Although folks often say that in rural communities everybody's related to everybody else, I honestly think that's more true in Bedford County than even other areas of rural PA.

In many of the coal areas of rural PA there are social or ethnic clubs - I don't see those in the Bedford area. Veterans' organizations, maybe.

I would suspect that the only real way to meet people in that area would be a church. You won't find a mega-church with a singles ministry though. There are of course many aspects of church functions where volunteers would be very welcome. Someone with money or computer background is often needed in volunteer or church groups, but despite the need I suspect many would not entrust their assets to an unknown outsider. Hopefully if you would make such a move, there would be some according to your abilities.

In other words - what outsiders often think of Lancaster County society, probably goes 2x or 3x for Bedford County. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the people. It just isn't going to be an accessible society to an outsider.

I am not sure about the homes in Bedford County, but just north of there in Morrison's Cove (Blair County and northern Bedord County, including the towns of Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, Woodburry, and Williamsburg.)the home prices are not that high. It is in a valley so you are surrounded by mountains. Lots of farms and wooded areas also.

ki0eh is right, chruch is a big social gathering around here. If you want to get to know people joing a church would be the best thing to do. Also there are turkey dinners, (new enterprise school house every third sunday), community events, and a bunch of stuff to do during the summer.

Yeah, it really does seem like everyone is related to everybody.

[sr1234]

I also looked into the Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton county areas and was astounded at the housing prices.

[gp5442]

ive lived in bedford county all my life...its nice and has alot of mountains...in the fall friday night football is the greatest then theres the bedford county fair in the summer wheres their animal shows, art things, a petting zoo, rides, races and alot of food

theres not much to do but theres always something you can find to do
i dont know much about somerset county but bedford county is awesome

[ki0eh]

Originally Posted by Pureblood

I am not sure about the homes in Bedford County, but just north of there in Morrison's Cove (Blair County and northern Bedord County, including the towns of Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, Woodburry, and Williamsburg.)the home prices are not that high. It is in a valley so you are surrounded by mountains. Lots of farms and wooded areas also.

It does seem that north/west of Bedford is cheaper than south/east when I look idly at the real estate listings on passing through. Morrison Cove also has Welcome to Ritchey's Dairy which is not good for one's cholesterol numbers.

[Jacker]

How is the Pitt theatre?