Comparison of Altoona and Johnstown areas (Hollidaysburg, Duncansville: amusement park, job market, school)

[clem16]

If you were looking to retire to either of these cities or surrounding areas which would you choose and why?

[ki0eh]

Johnstown, to me, is a much more visually striking city. We've given some thought to moving there someday but not so much to Altoona. Johnstown does have more snow and even more isolation to deal with.

[TelecasterBlues]

Altoona....

Johnstown is pretty much dead and ghostly. Very poor, very rundown, not very nice. Federally classified as an economically disadvantaged metro. These two threads more or less should give you all that you would need on Johnstown, be sure to read up:

//www.city-data.com/forum/penns...nstown-pa.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/penns...nstown-pa.html

Altoona is in a nice spot with some good topography, although Johnstown is probably a bit prettier in terms of its surrounding areas....but when comparing the actual towns, Altoona gets the nod hands-down without a gasping breath from Johnstown's corner of the ring. If you're set on Johnstown, try a nice town around it and not so much the actual Johnstown core itself. Altoona has a few wildcard activities that I think would be interesting, such as hosting the Pirates' AA minor league baseball team, the railroad history/exhibits, and having a very charming old school amusement park with the country's oldest(I think) rollercoaster among other things. It's just much, much, much nicer and more alive than Johnstown. Just say no to Johnstown, it's bad.

[zitsky]

I'd definitely agree with what TelecasterBlues has to say. Johnstown is prettier but like a ghost town unless you live in the better areas outside of town. Altoona used to be much smaller but now has grown to be the largest town in that area. It has a better standard of living, and probably a better job market.

[badguykc]

I'd take Altoona over Johnstown anyday. However, I wouldn't invest in ANYTHING within Altoona's city limits. Live in the surrounding towns, such as Hollidaysburg, Duncansville, or even in the areas in Cambria County, and you can't go wrong.

[clem16]

badguykc, why not within the city limits of Altoona?

[tallydude02]

Both are in the middle of PA's Appalachian country. It's an area with rolling hills but few jobs. The central cities of Johnstown and Altoona are depressing, but the surrounding townships are nicer. You can find very affordable housing in both areas.

I'd probably go for the Altoona area though. There seems to be more to do in the Altoona area. Johnstown just feels too isolated for my tastes.