Pennsylvania vs Warm Weather States (living, statistics, trailer)

[NCTarheels]

I happen like Pa's weather, you get all 4 seasons pretty average.

As for PA growing, certainly a big part of it is location, southcentral PA'ers commute to DC and Baltimore, East PA'ers commute to NY and Philly (Or live in Philly). The state is geographically well located, which I think helps alot.

[mcmartian]

the stats don't mean much because there is a world of difference different regions of the state. if the state was a uniform population then it would be helpful. but if you want to look at statistics of pa you need to look in the regions that you want to live in.

[Hopes]

Since the warm weather states have the same regional differences, an overall state comparison is a good place to start. Once a decision has been made about where to move, anyone should look at regional statistics regardless of whichever state is their destination.

[jjj]

We did research on retiring in different warmer souther states. We found out that the cost of living was much higher in the warmer states then Pa and we live in one of the more costly Pa counties. So for now its much cheaper to stay here and put up with some snow and vacation in the warmer areas when needed.

[SARGGON]

The statistics don't mean anything. Like others have said it depends on the area. Take Hilton head Island for example. No areas in Pa even come close. Or Scottsdale Ariz - these places were left out of the stats. I found many areas in Pa that were relatively poor areas to live, besides the lehigh valley and bucks county area.

[momix5]

what about the Hershey area?

[michiganmoon]

Originally Posted by SARGGON

The statistics don't mean anything. Like others have said it depends on the area. Take Hilton head Island for example. No areas in Pa even come close. Or Scottsdale Ariz - these places were left out of the stats. I found many areas in Pa that were relatively poor areas to live, besides the lehigh valley and bucks county area.

I see what you are saying about specific areas and that is a great point. Technically, you are wrong about areas like Scottsdale being "left out in the stats." They are included - it is a statewide average. The statewide average of warmer states aren't as good as PA, which probably means there are some nice parts to PA.

P.S. Also it is not like everyone can afford to move to Scottsdale, buy a house that is over-priced and find a 6 figure job.

[momix5]

I agree with waht the previous post said about Scotsdale, there are places that not everyone can afford, and to say that only Bucks county and Lehigh are the only towns doing well is not true, what about Milford PA, or State College?

[dmy407]

Just adding to the mix: I'm originally from SW PA, now live in central Fl. My home town (Washington) was a small factory town when I left, and is now half the population it was then. The main street is now a mall, the factories have closed, and jobs are scarce. You can say that about many places in many states. I hated where I grew up, and left as soon as I could. I made a career of the military, and was assigned to FL twice, which is why I ended up staying after leaving the service. In the FL panhandle between Pensacola and Panama city, wages and the standard of living are low in comparison to central Fl, where I live now. Where you find low wages, you find low standard of living. No surprise there. Here in 'God's Waiting Room,' the median age is appr 33 to 37, and jobs are mostly high-tech or entry level service industry, and standard of living is generally high. We do not have the four seasons as PA does, nor do we have the beautiful countrysides and numerous small picturesque communities. We DO have warmer weather and the largest tourist mecca in the known universe, and all the nearby conveniences you can imagine. I live within walking distance of SR 436 - the main drag in this area - and in a twenty five mile stretch of that route you can find everything you need from birth to death. However, it wouldn't bother me to move back to PA if someone held a gun at my head, and I was assured that I wouldn't have to be in the cold for more than a few minutes at a time. I have no real point in all this, but I would advise a reader not to make a decision to relocate anywhere based on what is seen here. Most things in the three pages I've just finished seem more contentious than informative, as though bragging rights are being threatened. When a person's home is perceived as being disparaged, their lower lip tends to get 'pootched' out a little. If any of 'yunz' are from West End of Washington, PA, give me a shout.

[CosmicWizard]

I left PA on the my 18th birthday, and I'm 57 now. I've been back several times for short stays, thinking maybe it'll be different this time around...but it's always the same for me. Even though I grew up in PA I never fit in. PA is a beautiful state as far as the scenery goes, and the State Park System is one of the best in the country. While the climate / weather is not the worst in the USA it is also far from being the best in my opinion....too much humidity, too many rainy days, too many gray days.

I have lived at least 6 months in the states below. Some I liked better, and some I liked worse than PA.

Florida....much worse
Mississippi....much worse
Georgia.....much worse
Maine...better
Colorado....much, much better
Alaska....much better
British Columbia....much, much, better. The best place of all!
Novia Scotia....about the same
Washington....much better
California....much better
Arizona....much, much better
Virginia...much better
North Carolina....much better
2nd time in Colorado....much, much better

Many Blessings....Franco