Is PA depressing?

[PhilliesPhan2013]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I share your general opinion of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, but would like to ask you:

How much of the rest of the country have you seen?

I know you've been to Canada, but how about west of the Mississippi?

You may answer this question here and/or in person sometime.

Admittedly, most of my experience with the rest of the country has occurred east of the Mississippi. With the exception of FL, NH, and ME, I've been to every state along the I-95 corridor. I've also been to OH, KY, MI, and AL. West of the Mississippi, I've spent short periods of time in MO and NV on my to and from Seattle. I'm going to try to make it to IL (Chicago), CA (San Francisco), and TN/KY (you know why) this year.

I also had the chance to visit Paris a few years before I took that most recent international trip to Canada.

No matter where I've ended up traveling to and regardless of the extent that I enjoyed any of those places, I've always been happy to come back to Philly. This city feels special in a way that I haven't really encountered with any other city I've been to.

[Mr. Map Man]

I grew up in Pittsburgh, currently live in the Philly area, and have family in Harrisburg, western PA, and Lehigh Valley. PA is not depressing at all, if you find it depressing, you are probably a glass half empty personality. Commenting on previous themes I've seen in this post:

- Trees and hills! Other states either don't have them, or are pedestrian compared to the topography in PA.
- History! Again - so many states lack interesting historical towns to visit. PA has dozens.
- Architecture - sure there are many areas of blight, but there are TONS of quaint villages, boroughs, and neighborhoods within cities that have amazing architecture featuring stone foundations, wrought iron, tudors, steeple roof lines, intricate masonry and diverse landscaping. Structures in PA are also built to last 100+ years (for the most part).

- Amazing entertainment - great sports towns and universities, museums, casinos, water sports, outdoor activities, festivals, markets, on and on.

- Access to major infrastructure. Unless you truly live in the hills or rural areas, there's a good chance a major airport or Amtrak is within an hour drive (Philly, Pittsburgh, Hburg, Newark, Cleveland, DC).

- Yes there are negatives as many have commented on the weather, blight, among others. But I've yet to find a place that's 100% perfect. Glass half full I guess?

[screechingweasel]

I find the Pittsburgh area to be quite depressing. Not the entire state as a whole though. The weather, the "I can't" / defeatist attitudes of the populace, the glorification of poor health and poor lifestyle choices (heavy drinking, horrible diets, etc), and the unapologetic "taker" mentality of the people of western PA is undeniable. Also, let's not forget their libido for all things ugly, to paraphrase the great H.L. Mencken.

[Charley Barker]

Really? I have lived here for almost 2 years and haven't seen that at all. If anything, most "born in the Burgh" Pittsburgher's I have met have a pride that might even be a little outsized compared to the actual nature of the place.


I agree about the weather, but it really is the same as much of the Great Lakes and interior northeast. Other than that, I haven't found Pittsburgh or PA in general, to be depressing at all. By the way, Screachingweasel, I don't in any way mean to challenge your experience/perception, just relaying my own.

[Merge]

Originally Posted by screechingweasel

Also, let's not forget their libido for all things ugly, to paraphrase the great H.L. Mencken.

There's nothing "great" about that racist curmudgeon.