St. Mary's??? (St. Marys, Clarion, Industry: sales, appliances, home)

[Lookin4Info]

Hello--anyone know anything about this area? Job market, opportunities, family, things to do, etc? Just thinking about moving there and wanted some details. Thanks!

[Dylan D]

well the job market is big but it depends on what type of work you do. it has two good schools a public and catholic. there is a lot of parks and a lot of activities to do for kids. there is a movie theather, some great bars and resturants, and 2 golf courses. the main stores are a Walmart and a Bilo and a bunch of smaller stores for clothes and such. its finally getting a Sheetz and we are also getting a Rite Aid new too. It is a good city. It is a very nature kind of town. oh yeah its has its own brewery-Straubs! it is a pretty big city around 15,000 - 18,000 but it is very peaceful and evenly spread out.

[pspdick]

I agree, great town. But the job market comment is more than a bit over-stated. It would be a great move if you love the outdoors and a Mayberry type of life.

[Lookin4Info]

Thanx, can you explain what a Mayberry type of life is? I'm not sure I'm aware of what you mean. In your opinion, do you think there is lots of opportunity for high schoolers to get prepared for a good college? All the online data i've researched indicates only a very small percentage of grads actually go off to college. Research suggested most (boys--seeing where I have a 12 yr old) get jobs in the metals and/or chemicals/labor field work. The figure was only 8% of males in St. Mary's over 25 have bachelor's degrees. Does that feel accurate to you, having lived there? What do teenagers do there?

Thank you so much for the replies.

[Lookin4Info]

Is there great diversity in the population there, in schools and such?

[Dylan D]

Actually there is most carbon workers and no college poeple now becuase most are older but the kids in high school aka me are planning to go to college and get there degree. and what did you meen by "great diversity" you meen how big the schools are hIgh school has around 1000 middle around 800 elem. 700 , catholic- high 500 middle 250 elem 500 or something like how many different races, it is mostly caucasion and a few indians and blacks. like i said above the schools prepare you to go to college and thats what most of the kids are doing. there is a lot of stuff to do for kids in St.MArys like baseball, softball, swimming, many other different parks and centers.

[pinetar10]

mayberry type of life refers to the town of mayberry in the andy griffith show. its a nice, friendly small town where everyone knows everyone.

Originally Posted by Lookin4Info

Thanx, can you explain what a Mayberry type of life is? I'm not sure I'm aware of what you mean. In your opinion, do you think there is lots of opportunity for high schoolers to get prepared for a good college? All the online data i've researched indicates only a very small percentage of grads actually go off to college. Research suggested most (boys--seeing where I have a 12 yr old) get jobs in the metals and/or chemicals/labor field work. The figure was only 8% of males in St. Mary's over 25 have bachelor's degrees. Does that feel accurate to you, having lived there? What do teenagers do there?

Thank you so much for the replies.

[jsn2007]

Saint Marys, Pennsylvania:

Demographics- Saint Marys is a small city with roughly 14,000 residents. The Saint Marys MSA (micropolitan statistical area) has a population of 35,000. Saint Marys has a somewhat unique culture. Most of the population in the city is descendent of German-Bavarian peoples. Saint Marys is predominantly caucasion, but a growing variety of ethnicities is calling the city home.

Employment- In Saint Marys, you will find many different types of jobs requiring many different and varied skills. Saint Marys is home to many large, international firms. Industry and manufacturing are the foundation of the local economy, but rapid growth in the service and healthcare oriented fields have come to prevalence in the economy as well. The largest private employer in Saint Marys is Elk Regional Health System. This growth is fueled by the growing retiree sect of the population. Increased global competition in the powdered metal and automotive fields has lead to slowed industrial growth. Work in the industrial field as chemical and structural engineers, as well as supervisors, business managers and sales representatives are competitive. Saint Marys has a large middle class and enjoys good earning power. Many famous companies in Saint Marys include, Osram Sylvania(incandescent lightbulb manufacturer) Carbone Lorraine, Keystone Carbon (Powdered metal-used in automotive and household appliances), GKN, Mex-America,(tortilla shells-"Culinary institute taste test winner") Pepsi Co, Straub Brewery, and Morgan AM&T (technology used to protect U.S. soldiers)

Recreation- Saint Marys is home to many recreational and sporting activities. The city has a large and well funded park system. Baseball, football, soccer, basketball, swimming and skating needs are all met. There are a variety of health clubs and gyms. The Saint Marys are is home to many outdoor recreation activities as well. You can canoe down the Clarion River. Go water-skiing, tubing or fishing in the East Branch Dam. Cross country skiing, snowmobiling, atv riding, hiking and bicycling are some other options. The Pennsylvania Elk also call the area around Saint Marys home.

Entertainment- Saint Marys offers many shopping opportunites in the downtown and commercial areas. Downtown Saint Marys offers a small community college, many banking institutions, furniture stores, youth centers, bakeries and a theater. Straub Brewery, a regionally distrubuted brewer, also calls downtown home. There are a few large depatment and grocery stores to choose from, Including Wal-Mart, Peebles, Bi-Lo, Rite-Aid, Fashion Bug and others.

[trombone_guy]

Originally Posted by Lookin4Info

Is there great diversity in the population there, in schools and such?

Sure, lots of different people live there... White, White and Whiter.
County in general is about 60% Roman Catholic. Founded by good old German Catholics thanks to King Ludwig (of Neuschwanstein fame).

Lived and worked there for several years.

Schools are so-so... some with $$ send their kids to the catholic schools, but they can get a one-sided education there, and some lack "real world" skills. The catholic school seems to fare better academically, but that could be largely b/c of better quality of kids going there versus the "huddled masses" at the public school.

[trombone_guy]

Originally Posted by Dylan D

well the job market is big but it depends on what type of work you do. it has two good schools a public and catholic. there is a lot of parks and a lot of activities to do for kids. there is a movie theather, some great bars and resturants, and 2 golf courses. the main stores are a Walmart and a Bilo and a bunch of smaller stores for clothes and such. its finally getting a Sheetz and we are also getting a Rite Aid new too. It is a good city. It is a very nature kind of town. oh yeah its has its own brewery-Straubs! it is a pretty big city around 15,000 - 18,000 but it is very peaceful and evenly spread out.

This person has not gotten out much if he thinks St. Marys is a "big city"... LOL

Don't look into St. Marys area if you are interested in culture or the arts... it's sorely lacking in that area.