Need Advice on Latrobe area

[Pghtebbie]

While I have never lived in the area, my 2 college roomates grew up in Ligonier. It is beautiful. Very small townish, the Mayberry description is very accurate. Everyone knows EVERYONE. It also has a very cute town square.

Both girls went to Ligonier Valley High school. It's very small (graduating class was like 80, circa 1995).

I will warn you though, in case this is something that matters to you: the area is kinda "sheltered", ie almost 100% white (actually just looked it up on citydata- 99.4% white). Both girls had never talked to an a gay person, African-American, Muslim, or Jew. They knew nothing about these cultures/ethnicities/lifestyles. Can this be blamed on the parents as well? Sure, but there was NO diversity in the area. College in the "big city" of Pittsburgh was quite an adjustment for them (not to mention rooming with a real "big city" girl from Philly! LOL)

Again, this is only if it matters to you. If it is what you are looking for, then great. If not, just a warning. Greensburg is a little bit more diversified, however it is also a bit more "sketchy" in parts, kwim?

Hope that helps!

[JSDewar]

5/23/08
I will be moving into the general Latrobe area within the next two to three months.
I am very excited about the move back into PA - it's been a long, full circle for me.
I am un-attached and can pick and choose where to live - no kids so schools are not important.
I would like rural, but not isolated. I can drive to "big city entertainment" if I feel the need for it.
So...what is Latrobe like?
Oh yes, I also like golf!

[Stovpipe]

If you're older you may like Ligonier better. I think Latrobe is a little better suited for travel with the airport and rt's 30 & 22 close by. The real estate is more affordable and rents are reasonable. No crime to speak of. Golf courses are everywhere!!!

[Pitts10yrs]

Just starting to read this thread and I almost knew someone would have bring up diversity, and sure enough mention there are only white people living there. Strange is that most people dont live in the city but in small towns with little diversity and grow up quite well. Just two weeks ago I met a AA female with two children who came from Philadelphia. I mentioned that you must isolated her, referring to her being black, and she said yes but I came her for a reason. She talked about hearing gun shots at hunting season, but said this was fine. She commented, "Its better than the pop, pop, pop that I was hearing when I lived in Philly". Her children are safe at school the real reason she moved, housing is inexpensive, and she is much more happy.

[s2buell]

I grew up in Latrobe and still have some family living there. While it will always be home to me, my husband (from Wisconsin) finds it depressing with all the closed businesses and older run down homes. There are nice sections of course, but the downtown area has definitely seen better days. There are newer developments close to the airport, and Lawson Heights is a nice family area. But stay away from the 5th ward! While campaigning there in April for Obama, I ran across some real bigots (told me to get that garbage off their street, etc).