Favorite Pennsylvania Mid-sized city (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: houses, neighborhoods, to buy)

[W-B proud]

I would imagine that State College turns into a ghost town after PSU gets out for the summertime.

[ki0eh]

Ah, a couple of polls to draw out me, the new forum user.

State College is the largest Borough in PA. I think if my (PSU grad of course) wife could move anywhere it would be to near (not in) there. If this poll is limited to the corporate limits of each named municipality I think I would have to agree. There seem to be some areas of nicer but relatively modest homes within the Borough limits and there is a network of bike paths/lanes as an alternative to traffic. The working class drives in from the surrounding towns, even Clearfield, Lock Haven, Lewistown, Huntingdon, Altoona as I understand. There seems to be a lot more spin-off business there than there is in, say, Ithaca. SC is also a lot more politically conservative than other Northeast/Midwest college towns, since of course the Blue and White derives its student base from the "red T."

[Awesomo.2000]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

I would imagine that State College turns into a ghost town after PSU gets out for the summertime.

State College is great in the summer time. It is just perfect. I woud say 25% of the student body stays up there. Apartment leases are still active during summer, so some kids stay up there instead of going home, most take summer classes, and some stay for work. I stayed up there for only one summer, and it was a great summer (from what I remembered of it). The bars were not packed, but they were just crowded enough.

THe population density of that town is very dense when the students are there. During the summer it is more like an average town.

But then there is that weekend in the summer when arts fest comes to town.

[deanbrew]

No love for Toonatown, I see.

[Wolfman89]

Reading is a giant chunk of flaming deuce.

Those outlets are almost all closed.

The one on 9th street is abandoned and now inahbited by the homeless..broke in there once..was nice if you need to capture that Chernoble feel. The Reading Railroad outlet is abandoned and the only thing there is the dicount grocery store with the rotting fruit. and VF..well actually I like VF.

The suburbs are over rated...and quickly being overtaken by crime as well.

The Rphils are the one redeaming quality of this county...love those games more than major league games.

at least Scranton has The Office.

[Stephanie P]

Originally Posted by Wolfman89

Reading is a giant chunk of flaming deuce.

Those outlets are almost all closed.

The one on 9th street is abandoned and now inahbited by the homeless..broke in there once..was nice if you need to capture that Chernoble feel. The Reading Railroad outlet is abandoned and the only thing there is the dicount grocery store with the rotting fruit. and VF..well actually I like VF.

The suburbs are over rated...and quickly being overtaken by crime as well.

The Rphils are the one redeaming quality of this county...love those games more than major league games.

at least Scranton has The Office.

I just don't understand how Reading can be so full of crime. It's not that big, but seems to have as much crime as Houston (which has about 2 million people.)
Can't the police take control of it? Everything I hear about Reading is negative, and often times scary.
We will be in the surrounding area, Sinking Spring. Is it safe there?
Thanks!
Stephanie

[Awesomo.2000]

Why none for my hometown of Toonyville?

[jetgraphics]

Altoona may be a "poor chile" now, but it was once the jewel in the Pennsylvania Railroad. As rail is resurrected, I predict that Altoona will rise again.

Remember, before petroleum, there were boats and railroads.
After petroleum, there will be boats and electrified railroads.

[bobsmith]

I was actually in Altoona briefly in December for the first time, and I was left with a good impression of the city.

[jetgraphics]

Originally Posted by bobsmith

I was actually in Altoona briefly in December for the first time, and I was left with a good impression of the city.

I was surprised to find that it has AMTRAK service (Pittsburgh to New York City route). Sadly, there's only one train per day.... now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvanian_(Amtrak)

But I will predict that within ten years, rail will make a major comeback, in long haul cargo, and passenger service. And all those sleepy small towns along railroad tracks will start to shine, once again.

Rail towns are going to become the best place for "smart money" to move in to.