feedback about VA hospitals/ healthcare (Pittsburgh, Erie: living, centers, move to)

[restlessyankee]

I'm in upstate NY now but trying to get away from large amounts of snowfall getting ready to retire.
I use the VA for healthcare now with an outpatient clinic for my primary dr about an hour away from a VA hospital.
Trying to find something similar in PA to retire.

[Wells5]

If your primary consideration is to avoid snow, can't think of anywhere in PA that is snow free. You'll have to move to somewhere in the "sunbelt."


If you want a nice small town in PA then I suggest Wellsboro. They have a local VA clinic and it's not too far from the VA hospital in Bath, NY.

[PAhippo]

Originally Posted by Wells5

If your primary consideration is to avoid snow, can't think of anywhere in PA that is snow free. You'll have to move to somewhere in the "sunbelt."


If you want a nice small town in PA then I suggest Wellsboro. They have a local VA clinic and it's not too far from the VA hospital in Bath, NY.

agree with this. If you don't want a lot of snow but still want 4 seasons, try NC, KY, or TN. PA doesn't fit that description.

[RetireinPA]

You are going to get snow, albeit less, but the 3 main VA centers that cover all specialties including major surgeries are the one in oakland-ish (pittsburgh), the new outpatient in monroeville (near pitt) and the HZJheinz center which also contains recuperative/memory care in Aspinwall. All are - without traffic - within half an hour of each other and if you have VA disability, all 3 have free shuttles.


If you need assisted living, the center in altoona will be it with smaller centers across the state.


But pretty much, given the VA-requirement, Pittsburgh is going to be your PA target as it is the only location comprehensive enough to be named the VA healthcare system.


If you need far far less, there are outpatient clinics thruout the state.


Keep in mind, Last prez passed 'veterans choice' and now you can use your VA benefits at regular hospitals, especially if you have VA Disa...

[jtab4994]

The OP gives his location as "upstate ny" which could mean Buffalo. If that's the case then only Eire could rival that for annual snowfall. The eastern half of the state does not get lake effect snow at all.

Coatesville has a VA medical center and is down by Philly, and while they may get a big Nor'easter every 5-10 years, it's nothing like Western NY or Erie. When was the last big snow in Philly, the Ed Rendell Game in 2010?

[PAhippo]

Buffalo would be western NY.



Upstate is usually Albany and north

[jtab4994]

Originally Posted by PAhippo

Buffalo would be western NY.



Upstate is usually Albany and north

I'm not from Upstate NY so I don't know what the natives call it. But according to the SUNY-Albany article linked below, 52 of the 62 counties can be considered "upstate".

https://wayback.archive-it.org/org-6...geography.html

If only the OP would return to clear this up.

[restlessyankee]

I'm near Watertown, NY
Started social security early this year

[PAhippo]

Then I repeat the Wellsboro suggestion. That area usually has less snow than you're used to but still has snow.


If you can use your veteran's benefits at any health care facility, UPMC is the dominant one with a few Geisinger clinics around.

[thaifood]

Check out areas like Lancaster or York in PA. They have less snowfall and good access to VA healthcare. Lancaster has an outpatient clinic and isn't too far from the Lebanon VA Medical Center. Plus, it's a nice area to retire with a mix of small town vibes and amenities.