Whats Erie, Pa like for someone in their mid 20's?

[Bigjerm1122]

And ya there are block parties and stupid festivities but once ur turn 21 that gets very old and more annoying than anything a bunch of drunk idiots rambling at the mouth cus they have some beer in them there are so many nice places especially in Kentucky Erie use to be a great place now it's just horrible presque isle is by far the best part of Erie and will be the only thing I miss!!!

[djordano]

In general, unless you are married and have a good paying job (50,000 per year or better) don't move here. Erie is a very mediocre place and the people are antagonistic, mean and appear unhappy. It is not a good place for a well-educated, attractive single person who is looking for love and a good career. The nightlife is okay, but the people are of a lower class and there is not that much to pick from if you are a picky person. Most of the really talented people left, or were forced out because they couldn't fit in with the average Joe's. I have also heard countless complaints about the quality of our doctors (botched surgeries, unhappy patients, law suits, deaths, etc). If you want to move to PA, Pittsburgh, or Eastern Pennsylvania would be better choices!
Sincerely, from an honest man

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by djordano

In general, unless you are married and have a good paying job (50,000 per year or better) don't move here. Erie is a very mediocre place and the people are antagonistic, mean and appear unhappy. It is not a good place for a well-educated, attractive single person who is looking for love and a good career. The nightlife is okay, but the people are of a lower class and there is not that much to pick from if you are a picky person. Most of the really talented people left, or were forced out because they couldn't fit in with the average Joe's. I have also heard countless complaints about the quality of our doctors (botched surgeries, unhappy patients, law suits, deaths, etc). If you want to move to PA, Pittsburgh, or Eastern Pennsylvania would be better choices!
Sincerely, from an honest man

I pretty much disagree with your entire post, except I have heard from some locals about problems with doctors in the past. However, the hospitals and doctors are improving due to the Highmark vs. UPMC battle and my current doctor in Erie completed his fellowship at Harvard and is one of the best doctors I have ever seen. Erie is similar to other small, rust belt cities and yes there are many blue collar people in the area and it is not a rich and flashy town, but people are generally nice and there is a group of wealthy, educated, young adults. Especially if you look at the employees in higher education institutions, Erie Insurance, and the hospitals.

[SunshineBird]

Originally Posted by djordano

In general, unless you are married and have a good paying job (50,000 per year or better) don't move here. Erie is a very mediocre place and the people are antagonistic, mean and appear unhappy. It is not a good place for a well-educated, attractive single person who is looking for love and a good career. The nightlife is okay, but the people are of a lower class and there is not that much to pick from if you are a picky person. Most of the really talented people left, or were forced out because they couldn't fit in with the average Joe's. I have also heard countless complaints about the quality of our doctors (botched surgeries, unhappy patients, law suits, deaths, etc). If you want to move to PA, Pittsburgh, or Eastern Pennsylvania would be better choices!
Sincerely, from an honest man

Ouch!

Some things I agree with (though you were a bit unnecessarily harsh, I think) and some I disagree with. I was born in Erie and have spent most of my life here but after living in N.C. in my youth and also Oklahoma and Colorado as an adult I can agree that, sadly, Erie is mediocre. I can agree that the quality of our health care providers is sincerely lacking also and that many of our local talents have moved on to greener pastures. I think, perhaps, Erie is better suited for family life. It's a decent, small community that doesn't have a whole lot to bring people here from the outside so I get the feeling they work more at keeping people here. Millcreek and Fairview have great school districts, there are many resources for children with special needs, Presque Isle and Waldameer are great family summer destinations and Erie county itself seems to be a rather stable place with lower crime rates. We are pretty unwilling to accept change in any major way, though, to grant us that feeling of stability so Erie has a definite "stagnant" feel to it. After having lived out west it was stifling to move back to Erie. Couple that with the kind of weather that keeps people cooped up in doors most of the year and that's probably where you get the "unhappy" vibe from. I can't agree with your opinions of antagonistic or lower class though but I don't know the circles you run in so maybe it's simply perspective.

On the plus side, I did have some good years in my 20's. Erie has three universities within it so the nightlife is pretty busy. There's a fairly decent live music scene but I feel that it's currently in a valley rather than a peak so it may pick up again within the next few years. The casino is pretty fun if you are into gambling and you can find a bar on nearly every corner.

Overall, Erie isn't terrible but it's, IMO, not really a great destination unless you want to tuck yourself in, pull a blanket over your head and raise well-balanced, educated (if a bit sheltered) children. I'm happy to be raising my young kids here for the moment but I'm anxious to be on my way in a year or two. As most people say when they leave, "Erie is a good place to be from."

[bigben1234]

Originally Posted by SunshineBird

Ouch!

Overall, Erie isn't terrible but it's, IMO, not really a great destination unless you want to tuck yourself in, pull a blanket over your head and raise well-balanced, educated (if a bit sheltered) children. I'm happy to be raising my young kids here for the moment but I'm anxious to be on my way in a year or two. As most people say when they leave, "Erie is a good place to be from."

This can said about all of Western PA, even Pittsburgh. People who have lived in other parts of the country with a growing population and high percentage of young people (AZ, FL, TX) probably won't enjoy anyplace in Western PA. Unless of course you are looking for a really quiet, cold and mundane place to live.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by bigben1234

This can said about all of Western PA, even Pittsburgh. People who have lived in other parts of the country with a growing population and high percentage of young people (AZ, FL, TX) probably won't enjoy anyplace in Western PA. Unless of course you are looking for a really quiet, cold and mundane place to live.

Some people do care more about weather, you know.

These past two winters have been downright HEINOUS in Pittsburgh, but, with that being said, I was working outside yesterday, and even though it was only around 50 degrees everyone was out running shirtless (not the women, though, d'oh!); tinkering around in their yards; washing their cars; pushing strollers; etc. There was this palpable vibe throughout the city of "we made it", as the last gasps of Winter had finally abated to yield sunshine and warmer air. I think having horrible winters actually makes you appreciate the other three seasons EVEN MORE whereas you often take the ability to enjoy the great outdoors for granted in the Sunbelt where the weather is more temperate year-round.

I love Erie. I day-trip in Erie at least once per month starting in April to go running at Presque Isle; eat a chicken Caesar salad for lunch at Pufferbelly; buy some chocolates at Pulakos (although I'm going to try Romolo next); explore the historic homes west of Downtown; etc. Some people prefer "stable" and "boring" over the chronic stress of larger metropolitan areas where you're interminably battling lines, crowds, and traffic to get anywhere or do anything. A lot of people come to Pittsburgh from larger metropolitan areas and truly enjoy how much more accessible our urban amenities are due to our smaller size. Similarly, many of we Pittsburghers love Erie for that same reason.

[carvagalia]

The strange and curious story of lobotomy best describes Erie, Pa. "Ignorance is a voluntary misfortune."
Italian Proverb. But, if they are happy here then who cares. Not my problem , they're problem.