Areas around Altoona (Pittsburgh, Erie, State College: house, living, restaurants)

[clem16]

Awesomo.2000, I'll bet it was great. Checking out houses on the internet we found what looks like a very nice old 2-storey in Duncansville. It was beautifully landscaped, and even better, it has a back porch and a basement and a walk-up attic!!! You can't find those things in the south. We've never owned a house with a basement and storage gets to be quite tricky. We are looking forward to a house with actual storage.............need someplace to keep the snowblower, right?

Also found a nice house in Patton, my old hometown, but we both said no.......no.......no.

I know the taxes are higher in PA than in SC, but our insurance rates are outrageous due to hurricanes, so that will be a wash. Only one more year here, then, hopefully, back to PA for good.

[Bob284]

Originally Posted by clem16

Thanks for the replies. I've forgotten all about Ebensburg. Used to really like that town. As far as the kind of area, we'd prefer to be outside the city or town limits as we have 6 dogs plus love to have a large garden so we do need some space. We just want to be a reasonable distance from grocery stores. As we'll be retired we won't mind driving a bit for other shopping. A safe, low crime area would be wonderful, that's why we don't want to live in Altoona as the drug-related crime seems to be great.

I would look into Sinking Valley, Huntingdon, Tyronne, Williamburg, Martinsburg, etc., etc. Ebensburg is very nice but is getting a bit pricey. State College is very expensive as well. Of course if you can aford it go for it - You can't loose with any of the the areas in and around Altoona. They are beautiful with lots of things to do. I have been away for three years and still go back once a month and make it a point to hit several functions in Altoona, Johnstown, and Bedford throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!!!

[badguykc]

I would recommend Philipsburg (Centre Co.). Philipsburg is a beautiful little town, within 30 minutes of BOTH Altoona and State College, and is more geared to retirement-age residents.

I lived in Philipsburg and I HATED it (I'm only 25 lol), but if you want close proximity to Altoona/PSU with that quiet, townie feel...Philipsburg is perfect for you.

[clem16]

Thanks, Bob and Badguy! I think the areas we are gonna concentrate on are south of Altoona as far as Bedford and east as far as Huntingdon and maybe as far northeast as Lewistown. Hope my PA geographic memory serves me correctly. I had an uncle who used to live in Philipsburg and I loved to go visit him, but am thinking that is to the west of State College and the winters must be brutal.
Is Tyrone the town that used to have the paper mill?

[rocafeller05]

Yes, Tyrone has the paper mill right off I-99. And its stink free if you have not been there since the early 80's.

[clem16]

Stink free? No kidding?! That's great news, thanks.

[Copanut]

My family was part of a hunting cabin back near Greenwood Furnace Park near Belleville, about 20 miles east of State College. We had relatives in Mt. Union and used to take the train from Pgh through the Horseshoe Curve in Altoona. Central PA is a great place to live, IMHO.

About 10 years ago my wife and I took a week's vacation in State College. Great time, it was in the summer so we could bike everywhere, restaurant lines were small, and we could walk to any venue we wanted. If I was looking to retire, I think I'd chose State College with all the activities there. And sadly, you will need good medical care as you age, that sucks.

[rocafeller05]

Agreed 100%. When it comes time to retire I plan on living in burbs of State College.

Originally Posted by COPANUT

My family was part of a hunting cabin back near Greenwood Furnace Park near Belleville, about 20 miles east of State College. We had relatives in Mt. Union and used to take the train from Pgh through the Horseshoe Curve in Altoona. Central PA is a great place to live, IMHO.

About 10 years ago my wife and I took a week's vacation in State College. Great time, it was in the summer so we could bike everywhere, restaurant lines were small, and we could walk to any venue we wanted. If I was looking to retire, I think I'd chose State College with all the activities there. And sadly, you will need good medical care as you age, that sucks.

[ThorsHammer]

I came to DuBois to run a business for the holidays in the mall and ended up staying. I love it here, I have everything at my disposal. I can take 36 to my son who lives in Gallitzin and I can take 80 to 322 then 99 to get to Altoona and I can get on 80 to 28 and head to Pittsburgh. All of this within an hour and a half at the most. Oh and State College is only 45 minutes away also. I have the Pennsylvania Wilds and I love it up here, I don't hunt anymore but I do fish and there is tons of that. Lets face it, PA is beautiful in its on way.

[Bill and Marijo]

Originally Posted by clem16

Not sure I'm in the right forum since I don't know PA geography very well. My husband and I both grew up in central PA, hubby in Altoona and me in Patton. We have not lived in the state for 40 years, but we want to return "home" to retire as most of our families are still there. Can anyone suggest an area, within an hour's drive of Altoona, that is clean, quiet, environmentally friendly and with reasonable housing costs?

Yes Hollidaysburg is nice but pricey. 10 min from Altoona. But right now Housing cost are so low. Ebensburgh is nice. Tyrone is also nice. Bellwood is also nice but also pricey. Bedford area is nice about 40 minutes away. Really a nice rural area. Patton is nice and State College but also pricey.
We live in the Greenwood area. Between Altoona and Bellwood. Like anywhere there is crime but I can leave and not lock my doors yet. But then again I am in a rural area. Not the city.
Good Luck.
Bill and Marijo Peterman