Poll: Would you live in Pennsylvania if it weren't for family roots? (Philadelphia: low income, best city)

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

I chose to live in Philly and will continue to choose to live in Philly. Guess I relish mediocrity

Yeah I plan to retire somewhere in PA and having grown up in Pittsburgh and having spent time in Philly I appreciate both areas. I am hoping Pittsburgh continues to be more retiree friendly, but if that is not the case I have no reservations retiring in the Philly area. PA is a great state for retirees and it looks like my retired parents are staying in the Pittsburgh metro for retirement, even after researching other warmer states/areas. It would be nice to combine all of the best elements of every state, but I also like the autonomy of each state. It is nice to see the pride many show for their city/area on this forum and people who live in PA definitely seem to champion their areas more than some other areas I have lived.

[teachbeach]

Lived in PA for 23 years, no roots, no ties. Raised in NJ~lived there for 27 years, no roots or no ties. Also lived in Michigan and New York state as a youngster, no roots, no ties to those communities either. LOVED living in PA, had great jobs, nice house, super neighbors, terrific social life, cost of living allowed us to save a decent amount of money, and enjoy a few modest vacations, etc. After I retired DH & I just felt we needed a change so we moved 575 miles (and 2 states) away to be near family. In my whole life I had never lived near my cousin's, grandparent's, extended family, or where my family roots and heritage are deep. We've adapted, secured new jobs and for now are enjoying the adventure. We're giving it 5 years and then we'll decide if we're here to stay or if we'll be drawn back to PA. PA is a beautiful state and I have nothing bad to say about it except that we were growing "tired" of the area and wanted a change. If we hadn't moved here it might have been to another area of PA or south.

We get our fix by returning to visit at least once or twice a year~catching up with people visiting the areas we enjoyed while living there. But there's so much to see and explore in our new home area as well, so we've become tourists in our new area as well.

[mancat100]

I think some people in certain parts of PA don't realize that millions of their fellow Pennsylvanians do NOT live in economically depressed, isolated coal towns surrounded by small mountains of culm and abandoned strip mines. Therefore our image of Pennsylvania is a positive one.

I don't intend the above sentence to insult any part of the state, but just to illustrate that one's immediate surroundings can color one's view of the entire state in a way that is inaccurate.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by mancat100

I think some people in certain parts of PA don't realize that millions of their fellow Pennsylvanians do NOT live in economically depressed, isolated coal towns surrounded by small mountains of culm and abandoned strip mines.

Just like people in other parts of Pennsylvania don't realize that not every small town and city in the state is economically depressed or an isolated coal town surrounded by ...

Oh ... wait.

[mancat100]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Just like people in other parts of Pennsylvania don't realize that not every small town and city in the state is economically depressed or an isolated coal town surrounded by ...

Oh ... wait.

I knew that comment would get me in trouble which is why I added the second sentence. I should have mentioned that I grew up in Central PA, so my view isn't necessarily Philly-centric. Although awkwardly expressed, I stand by my basic point - which is this: just because a person thinks their part of PA sucks, it's not justified to extrapolate that to the entire state.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by mancat100

I think some people in certain parts of PA don't realize that millions of their fellow Pennsylvanians do NOT live in economically depressed, isolated coal towns surrounded by small mountains of culm and abandoned strip mines. Therefore our image of Pennsylvania is a positive one.

I don't intend the above sentence to insult any part of the state, but just to illustrate that one's immediate surroundings can color one's view of the entire state in a way that is inaccurate.

I think that's very true. If you're living in Johnstown, you're likely going to have a very different perspective of Pennsylvania than someone in West Chester (an affluent Philadelphia suburb).

There is no state that is uniform in its living conditions/areas and socioeconomic status.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Duderino

I think that's very true. If you're living in Johnstown, you're likely going to have a very different perspective of Pennsylvania than someone in West Chester (an affluent Philadelphia suburb).

There is no state that is uniform in its living conditions/areas and socioeconomic status.

i dont think its socioconomic statua that matters but rather opportunity. not everyone from west chester is rich but the area has lots of opportunity for people of all backgrounds. johnstown otoh no longer offers enough oppprtunity for its residents. scranto. as well and its been that way for decades.

[Toure]

Lets start of to say Pennsylvania is HUGE. By saying that I do not like Pennsylvania, because I am a Black male, well groomed, very handsome/attractive. But this state is very rasist, aside from Philadelphia, where I reside. South eastern PA is the only part worth living. I've been to central PA, and its the hicks, and that's my observation. PA should be happy they have Philly in there state, or else it would be as good as Alaska(sorry Pittsburgh). Philly area has 75% of the wealthiest zips, and the burg has about 10%.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by Toure

Lets start of to say Pennsylvania is HUGE. By saying that I do not like Pennsylvania, because I am a Black male, well groomed, very handsome/attractive. But this state is very rasist, aside from Philadelphia, where I reside. South eastern PA is the only part worth living. I've been to central PA, and its the hicks, and that's my observation. PA should be happy they have Philly in there state, or else it would be as good as Alaska(sorry Pittsburgh). Philly area has 75% of the wealthiest zips, and the burg has about 10%.

So everyone outside Philly is "rasist" and poor?

[mancat100]

Originally Posted by Toure

Lets start of to say Pennsylvania is HUGE. By saying that I do not like Pennsylvania, because I am a Black male, well groomed, very handsome/attractive. But this state is very rasist, aside from Philadelphia, where I reside. South eastern PA is the only part worth living. I've been to central PA, and its the hicks, and that's my observation. PA should be happy they have Philly in there state, or else it would be as good as Alaska(sorry Pittsburgh). Philly area has 75% of the wealthiest zips, and the burg has about 10%.

It's no more racist than anyplace else. Granted, that's not saying much.