walkable town out of snow belt (Pittsburgh, Greensburg: theater, colleges, casino)

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Johnny C

Brookville is just south of the snowbelt and gets less snow than the higher elevations of the laurel highlands. The snowbelt begins around Sigel and north. I have the better part of two decades of experience to support this.

That being said, if you are afraid of snow or changing seasons then I would avoid both locations - just buy a Cadillac and move to southern Florida like everyone else.

Ok, right. Whatever.

[h_curtis]

Brookville certainly wouldn't be my choice if someone is asking for a place that isn't in the snow belt. Sure it gets less snow than that actual snow belt, I agree and go through there all the time, but it gets more snow that Pittsburgh and is colder. There are better choices, IMHO.

This whole thread is pretty odd. If you don't want snow go a little further south. It doesn't take much. Places in North Carolina (Eastern) and such are much more mild in the winter.

[North Beach Person]

The closest to out of the snow in PA is probably down around Carlisle, and it will get dumped on fairly regularly when storms come up the coast (those ones that shut DC down).

It's east of the mountains which tend to wring the snow out of storms on the western slope.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Ok, right. Whatever.

The snow belt is a new thing to me, too -- but it's about the proximity to the Great Lakes (in PA's case Erie). The snow closer to the lake gets higher and deeper. So it's not that the OP doesn't want snow, it's that the OP doesn't want snow like Buffalo NY gets...

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

The snow belt is a new thing to me, too -- but it's about the proximity to the Great Lakes (in PA's case Erie). The snow closer to the lake gets higher and deeper. So it's not that the OP doesn't want snow, it's that the OP doesn't want snow like Buffalo NY gets...

The snow belt runs down through the mountains around 7 Springs and Somerset areas. It isn't just about the lake effects. I am not sure the true definition of "snow belt", because when I looked it up it talked about lake effect, but all the locals know Somerset is part of the snow belt and that isn't by Lake Erie at all.

There are countless places to live that aren't in the "snow belt". Saxonburg, Freeport and Leechburg come to mind.

[Heidi60]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Brookville is not out of the snowbelt, or if it is I hallucinated all the snow I shoveled growing up.

Realtors in Brookville tend to not post their listings on the internet so don't take that as an indication of few listings. A couple of them won't answer emails either unless they recognize the sender's name.

Okay, so how does that work for them? No listings and no communication???

The orginal OP asked about the snow belt and I sort of jumped in with her. Since we are nearing retirment, shoveling snow isn't high on my list of fun but it is better than having your home blown away by the storms that hit the middle of the country this summer. I grew up in northern Ohio but I was younger then and shoveling snow didn't bother me that much all those years ago. For me, it is easier to handle the cold than high humidity.

I also looked at the growning zones and there seems to be small corner of SW PA that tends to be a little warmer.

Thanks to all who have shared and I'll keep on reading if you'll keep on writing.

[ML North]

Ligonier, PA is a beautiful town that is located about 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It has an awesome downtown with a small business district, a decent stock of historic architecture, and access to state parks and real wilderness.

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by ML North

Ligonier, PA is a beautiful town that is located about 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It has an awesome downtown with a small business district, a decent stock of historic architecture, and access to state parks and real wilderness.

Ligonier is very nice indeed.

[soniqV]

Laurel Highlands are great, it's where I'm from, but probably the worst choice in West PA other than Erie area if minimizing snowfall is the goal.

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by soniqV

Laurel Highlands are great, it's where I'm from, but probably the worst choice in West PA other than Erie area if minimizing snowfall is the goal.

I agree the Laurel Highlands gets snow, but I thought Ligonier doesn't get that much. Correct me if I am wrong.