Lewistown/State College Central PA (Pittsburgh, Harrisburg: apartment, rent, low crime)

[ny88]

I am really close to moving to Central PA (State College) area. I am full of questions? I noticed rent and property is very inexpensive in Lewistown and Port Matilda. State College is a bit more. How would it be feasible or insane to commute to State College from Lewistown? How about Port Matilda? Are there anything wrong with these areas (depressed, high crime rate??) or are they quaint small towns. I have heard bad things about the Lewistown Narrows. Is anything being done to make the road safer? If I decide to stay in State College or closer what would be some reasonable rent places 1 or 2br ($400-600 per month). How is Bellefonte? Toftrees? Milroy? I get some information but not very much about the area. Any info. would be helpful.

[vetegnc]

We just moved to the area, and lucked out on a house in State College itself (we both work there with 2 small children). When I said something about Lewistown, they looked at me funny and strongly urged me not to live there (bad area). Port Matilda isn't much of a drive. Don't forget if you get snowstorm, do you want to drive that far? (they say they get a couple of good storms a year....normally) We posted an ad online at statecollege.com, and that's how we found our house.
Bellefonte, depending on your life, would be great too, since you could just hop on the four lane. Depending on where in bellefonte and state college, it would probably be a 20-25 minute drive. (bellefonte is beautiful!)

[NittanyLion]

Bellefonte and State College are both beautiful places. They have low crime, a rural setting, and good school systems. I really don't think you would have any trouble getting a apartment. Port Matilda is very close to State College and in some areas, even in the same scool district. Good Luck!

[ny88]

Thank you for all your information. It would be a good idea to be close to work in State College.

[Christian2003]

[quote=vetegnc;568285]We just moved to the area, and lucked out on a house in State College itself (we both work there with 2 small children). When I said something about Lewistown, they looked at me funny and strongly urged me not to live there (bad area).

State College is no better than Lewistown, only more expensive. Lewistown is better in that it is closer to Harrisburg and still an easy commute to State College. Here are a couple headlines from a State College newspaper:

Police find weapons paperwork

Centre County Sheriff Denny Nau said he has found the missing paperwork naming a third party who agreed to hold guns belonging to Benjamin Barone, the man who shot his wife and then himself at a Mill Hall gas station Sunday.


Rogers murder case goes to jury

BELLEFONTE -- A Centre County jury Thursday night was deliberating the guilt or innocence of Andrew Rogers after a long day that began with Rogers testifying in his own defense.

[NittanyLion]

[quote=Christian2003;572740]

Originally Posted by vetegnc

We just moved to the area, and lucked out on a house in State College itself (we both work there with 2 small children). When I said something about Lewistown, they looked at me funny and strongly urged me not to live there (bad area).

State College is no better than Lewistown, only more expensive. Lewistown is better in that it is closer to Harrisburg and still an easy commute to State College. Here are a couple headlines from a State College newspaper:

Police find weapons paperwork

Centre County Sheriff Denny Nau said he has found the missing paperwork naming a third party who agreed to hold guns belonging to Benjamin Barone, the man who shot his wife and then himself at a Mill Hall gas station Sunday.


Rogers murder case goes to jury

BELLEFONTE -- A Centre County jury Thursday night was deliberating the guilt or innocence of Andrew Rogers after a long day that began with Rogers testifying in his own defense.

Everyplaces has some crime now or then. I would like to ask this person if they live, have family who lives, or have ever visited Central Pa. They could have just gotten it off the CDT website. Besides Mill Hall is not in State College, it's in the outlining areas. As you can tell from my name I know a thing or two about this area. It's beautiful!(Happy Valley). Sometimes you can't belive other people in these forums, I Know that I love SC and would tell anyone to live there. Other people have other views, and sometimes they are not very truthful. I would visit Central Pa first. You can make a long weekend out of it. You could stay at the Nittany Lion Inn one night in State College and at a Bed and Breakfast in Bellefonte another. You can vist some neighborhoods and see what you like. Be sure to also take a drive through Penns Valley and see the Amish Farms in the countryside. It also might be fun to go while the Arts Fest is going on in July. You could see a play or a live concert. Visiting a State Park would be nice. Don't forget to get some creamery ice cream! I hope I gave you some advice and ideas and whatever you end up going for, GOOD LUCK!

[Christian2003]

Originally Posted by NittanyLion

Everyplaces has some crime now or then. I would like to ask this person if they live, have family who lives, or have ever visited Central Pa. They could have just gotten it off the CDT website. Besides Mill Hall is not in State College, it's in the outlining areas. As you can tell from my name I know a thing or two about this area. It's beautiful!(Happy Valley). Sometimes you can't belive other people in these forums, I Know that I love SC and would tell anyone to live there. Other people have other views, and sometimes they are not very truthful. I would visit Central Pa first. You can make a long weekend out of it. You could stay at the Nittany Lion Inn one night in State College and at a Bed and Breakfast in Bellefonte another. You can vist some neighborhoods and see what you like. Be sure to also take a drive through Penns Valley and see the Amish Farms in the countryside. It also might be fun to go while the Arts Fest is going on in July. You could see a play or a live concert. Visiting a State Park would be nice. Don't forget to get some creamery ice cream! I hope I gave you some advice and ideas and whatever you end up going for, GOOD LUCK!

That's true, there is crime everywhere if you look for it. I didn't say State College was a bad place to live, I like State College. I said Lewistown has potential as well. I have lived in Lewistown for over 50 years and have raised a family here. Two sons graduated from Penn State! By the way, Lewistown is in central PA and there is a very large Amish community in Mifflin County. I wouldn't live in Bellefonte and yes I have been there many times as well.

[ontheroad]

Curious! Why wouldn't you live in Bellefonte?

Originally Posted by Christian2003

That's true, there is crime everywhere if you look for it. I didn't say State College was a bad place to live, I like State College. I said Lewistown has potential as well. I have lived in Lewistown for over 50 years and have raised a family here. Two sons graduated from Penn State! By the way, Lewistown is in central PA and there is a very large Amish community in Mifflin County. I wouldn't live in Bellefonte and yes I have been there many times as well.

[Christian2003]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

Curious! Why wouldn't you live in Bellefonte?

I know Bellefonte is known for it's Victorian architecture and I love some of the restaurants like the Snitzel or the Gambel Mill Inn but I hate the narrow streets and the traffic flow in Bellefonte. That's just me, I'm sure it's a great place to live. I have friends who live there!

[ontheroad]

Thanks for your response. I'm in Pittsburgh today, and was thinking of driving East and passing through Bellefonte to see what it is like. Thanks especially for the mention of a couple of restaurants.

Originally Posted by Christian2003

I know Bellefonte is known for it's Victorian architecture and I love some of the restaurants like the Snitzel or the Gambel Mill Inn but I hate the narrow streets and the traffic flow in Bellefonte. That's just me, I'm sure it's a great place to live. I have friends who live there!