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My husband may have the opportunity to transfer to another branch of his company. We currently live in a small town in the mountains in N. Ca. We have to drive about 20-30 min. down the hill for any real shopping etc.(which is fine) The town we drive into is still not huge(pop. 5000 or so). But it has a few department stores, 3 major grocery stores, Walmart, a movie theater etc. Point being we are used to "small town" - my husband grew up here. I am looking for an area that is affordable, safe(all crime rates look pretty good) and still has what I need for our kids(8 and 2). My son is very active in cub scouts, youth soccer and especially martial arts(jujitsu). Are these things available in these communities or close enough to get to?
Another question: How are race relations in Pa and these areas in particular? I am white, my husband is biracial(black/white), and obvioulsy my children are biracial. Does anyone think this would be much af an issue? The town we live in now is predominantly white yet race has always been a non-issue here. Just wondering, more for my kids sake than anything.
Schools are not much of a concern as I homeschool my son and just found out that our homeschool program is available in Pa.(Hooray)
Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. Loving the prices of homes in New Castle. There is no way we could afford to buy a home here, prices pretty much start around 300,000.
New Castle has had a more stellar past, but is just beginning to go through a small-town renaissance. Brand new state-of-the-art high school, new parks, classic street lights with huge hanging planters everywhere. The factories, for the most part, have gone years ago. But there are now smaller companies sprouting up. And a new industrial park or two. And some new shopping centers. Because New Castle is only 40 miles by divided highway from the world-class Pittsburgh airport, folks who do a lot of flying for business are buying here. Pittsburghers are discovering the area, and deciding that the prices, quality of life, and low crime rate, justify the commute.
Through its ups and downs, New Castle has maintained with pride, a lot of quality housing. And some not so quality housing. We bought somewhere in the middle. And we paid $49,500 in 2004. Believe it. Craftsman style, on the inside and out, between 1500 and 1600 sq ft. Taxes:$1300 (Before homestead exemption and Senior state tax reduction. After reductions--$about $780) 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, 27 x 13 living room, 13 x 14 dining room, 12 x 12 den or breakfast room. modern kitchen, floored attic, full basement, 27 x 12 front porch, single garage, 40 x 180 lot.
We are just blocks to our hospital, a huge deli-type Giant Eagle grocery store, Sears, Super Wal-Mart, Staples, Lowes, Kmart and more. 20 minutes to an enclosed mall, and 30 minutes to one of the largest outlet centers in the country. We have nearby access to one of the best hospital systems in the world, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. We are 6 and 20 miles from two of the highest ranked small colleges in America. (Westminster and Grove City) Sporting and cultural events are available to the public at both schools. Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony perform in New Castle. There is a professional quality playhouse. The homes in our area are generally well-maintained, as well as the lawns. The people are welcoming and super friendly. The climate is spectacular in the summer-spring-autumn, and becoming more temperate in the winter. If it snows, the roads are quickly cleared. There is easy access to other areas on interstates 79 and 80, each just a few minutes away, and State Route 60 which is about to become an interstate. It is 5 minutes away. The crime rate is very low in the whole county (Lawrence). New Castle is surrounded by idyllic rolling farmland, largely occupied by the Amish. We employ Amish to work at our home on occasion, at a great price for quality hard work. Perhaps best of all, we have a mayor who reads your email, and actually calls you to see what he can do to help you. Seniors ride most routes on our bus system free, non rush hour. Round-trip bus fares to Pittsburgh are only $6--for everyone, from a brand new (May 2007) $2.5 million park-and-ride lot in downtown New Castle.
On September 5, 2007 Pennsylvania approved a $430 million project to be built just outside the city limits of New Castle. Valley View Downs will include a harness racetrack and casino. Taking into consideration the surrounding development that is planned, the project is expected to generate up to 4,000-5,000 new jobs in our immediate area. It is hard to overestimate the economic impact this will have on our town, as well as Lawrence County. This is the largest dollar project ever to be built in our county. We wonder how long our discount housing prices can last.
I have lived in New Castle for 3 years. It is a great little town that is just about to find itself again, and more. I have a lot more information, and pictures, if you like. springpure@aol.com
My husband may have the opportunity to transfer to another branch of his company. We currently live in a small town in the mountains in N. Ca. We have to drive about 20-30 min. down the hill for any real shopping etc.(which is fine) The town we drive into is still not huge(pop. 5000 or so). But it has a few department stores, 3 major grocery stores, Walmart, a movie theater etc. Point being we are used to "small town" - my husband grew up here. I am looking for an area that is affordable, safe(all crime rates look pretty good) and still has what I need for our kids(8 and 2). My son is very active in cub scouts, youth soccer and especially martial arts(jujitsu). Are these things available in these communities or close enough to get to?
Another question: How are race relations in Pa and these areas in particular? I am white, my husband is biracial(black/white), and obvioulsy my children are biracial. Does anyone think this would be much af an issue? The town we live in now is predominantly white yet race has always been a non-issue here. Just wondering, more for my kids sake than anything. Oh, and if you want to spend $300,000 on a home in these areas you can count on lots of acreage and/or lots more home than the average person, probably put you in the top 5% in property value.
Schools are not much of a concern as I homeschool my son and just found out that our homeschool program is available in Pa.(Hooray)
Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. Loving the prices of homes in New Castle. There is no way we could afford to buy a home here, prices pretty much start around 300,000.
Thankyou! Sabrina
Not much to do in Huntingdon they do have a walmart now for shopping, Juniata College a small liberal arts college located in the borough and Raystown lake for outdoor activities. As for mixed race you would be better served to live 10 miles east in Mount Union or 30 miles north in State College where this is more common. I do not think the Mount Union school district is high on the lists of quality schools though. Taxes and home prices are less in Mount Union then Huntingdon but Huntingdons are not that bad either. I have lived in both school disticts and do not live in either now. Violent Crime is practically non existent in Huntingdon. As for sports I believe there is some type of Martial arts classes available in Mount Union but not organized soccer which you could find in Huntingdon.
I think you might be very happy with New Castle in many ways. Sounds like you could buy quite a house here.
Our town is racially diverse. We see no race problems that I am aware of. I see bi-racial students walking to school. Our 20 yr old granddaughter is bi-racial, lives with us, and sees no issue.
New Castle, and the areas surrounding it, are great places to live. Cost of living is reasonable. State income tax is 3%, sales tax 6%, property taxes are reasonable if you buy carefully. Shopping is extensively available. A huge commercial development is about to hit the area, and the general level of prosperity should rise, along with real estate prices.
This is a town just at the beginning of a major renaissance. If our progressive mayor is re-elected tomorrow, as is expected, we can count on more rapid
change in the face of New Castle. The process is fun to watch.
I've seen a few people that appear to be bi-racial here in Erie. I've never heard of any related problems. I doubt you'd have a big problem here if you didn't have a problem in a small southern town.
Not much to do in Huntingdon they do have a walmart now for shopping, Juniata College a small liberal arts college located in the borough and Raystown lake for outdoor activities. As for mixed race you would be better served to live 10 miles east in Mount Union or 30 miles north in State College where this is more common. I do not think the Mount Union school district is high on the lists of quality schools though. Taxes and home prices are less in Mount Union then Huntingdon but Huntingdons are not that bad either. I have lived in both school disticts and do not live in either now. Violent Crime is practically non existent in Huntingdon. As for sports I believe there is some type of Martial arts classes available in Mount Union but not organized soccer which you could find in Huntingdon.
We went up there last week and I was impressed. The Super Wal Mart was like a dream. It was Black Fri and wasn't packed. I work for the Super Wal Mart in Hagerstown,Md and we were packed. I noticed people up there aren't as fast paced as they are down here. It was nice to walk into a Wal Mart and not hear anyone complaining about the store. People didn't have an attitude like they do around here.
I did notice that it seems to be a really Conservative christian area. Not really a bad thing because Hagerstown is a pretty big CC area too and I don't get remarks or anything about my Pentagram. So I don't think I should have too many problems and wont have to worry about my kids being made fun of because they don't go to church and mommy is Pagan.
My husband and I live in Erie. He is black and I am white. We have never had any problems relating to race. Erie is a nice place to raise a family. It has everything you basically need and very friendly. The downside is the economy and the affairs of the city. Good paying jobs can be hard to find here and the taxes in the city are high. If you look to move here, look at Millcreek Township or Harborcreek. Both have good schools and nice communities!
We went up there last week and I was impressed. The Super Wal Mart was like a dream. It was Black Fri and wasn't packed. I work for the Super Wal Mart in Hagerstown,Md and we were packed. I noticed people up there aren't as fast paced as they are down here. It was nice to walk into a Wal Mart and not hear anyone complaining about the store. People didn't have an attitude like they do around here.
The reason this walmart is not very busy is because this area code has about 15,000 people in it with about 4000 of them in the two prisons nearby and another 1500 as college students on the other end of town who went home for Thanksgiving. Also, this is a small Walmart, you can tell by the depth of the store and the lack of product on the shelves. The other nearby Walmart stores which are considerably larger in Altoona, State College, and Lewistown would have been mad houses to say the least.
I did notice that it seems to be a really Conservative christian area. Not really a bad thing because Hagerstown is a pretty big CC area too and I don't get remarks or anything about my Pentagram. So I don't think I should have too many problems and wont have to worry about my kids being made fun of because they don't go to church and mommy is Pagan.
I do have to agree on the Christian faith for this area, afterall I am Christian too and would hope that you would have at least explored the faith.
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My husband may have the opportunity to transfer to another branch of his company. We currently live in a small town in the mountains in N. Ca. We have to drive about 20-30 min. down the hill for any real shopping etc.(which is fine) The town we drive into is still not huge(pop. 5000 or so). But it has a few department stores, 3 major grocery stores, Walmart, a movie theater etc. Point being we are used to "small town" - my husband grew up here. I am looking for an area that is affordable, safe(all crime rates look pretty good) and still has what I need for our kids(8 and 2). My son is very active in cub scouts, youth soccer and especially martial arts(jujitsu). Are these things available in these communities or close enough to get to?
Lots of Information on New Castle
