My first full time year here. (Pittsburgh, Reading: transplants, house, buy)

[okaydorothy]

Well, we moved to our vacation house for full time living exactly a year ago. Its been a big adjustment, but a good one. Yes, I work crazy hours, and work hard but its all good.

The reasons why I love it here ; its close to the airports, close to NYC, lots of transplants like myself and where I work pays well for the area. There is always something to do within an hour drive ; next week we are going to Reading WW2 reenactment. Stewart Airport is close for our trips home to Ireland. Our friends from NY come to visit a few times a year and we go there also.

The only downside is that our kids still live in Pittsburgh so we don't see them often. Its ok as they are in college there and have a lot of other commitments. We text daily and call twice a week so the communication is still there which is so important.

The community is ok. not great, but ok. We got the water issue fixed which was great. Would I live in a gated community again ; probably not. But it is decent for now. Many people are retired so as we are still in our '50's and working, its not great for making new friends. Again, thats ok. We have a few and keep ourselves busy. We are saving money because there are no malls within 15 mins of where we live, no costco, no sams, and we only buy what we need from the local grocery shop. We have learned to do without the luxuries that we became used to on Long Island. Eating out is a treat for us at the weekend.

So far so good.

[Chefkey]

So happy for you that are enjoying living here. On the way home from visiting Nescopeck State Park yesterday my wife proclaimed how great an area we live as she took in the country surrounding us. I'm glad you are having the same experience, maybe others will begin to see the upside as well.