Pennsylvania is a foodies dream come true, and not just because its the birthplace of Philly cheesesteaks. Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. There are many large companies in Pennsylvania including Aramark, Comcast, and Genesis HealthCare. Many drivers like to drive to the very end of the on-ramp before merging, even if someone makes space for them. The roads and bridges are in poor condition. With a median household income of $63,000, Pennsylvania residents often find it easy to afford a place to live. Thinking about living in Pennsylvania? Both social security income and withdraws from retirement accounts (pensions, 401K and IRA) are tax-exempt. Need help going from place to place? There are several nuclear power plants that dot the landscape in Pennsylvania. But its true, youre guaranteed to see loads of garbage on the street, terrible recycling habits and overall uncleanliness that can make you feel uneasy at times. 1. So what does this mean for daily life in Pennsylvania? There are 18 state forests to visit, offering over 800 miles of trails to enjoy. Cons of living in Pennsylvania 1. 6. Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist). Gas stations are a popular place to have dinner when you start living here, even if you are not in a hurry to get somewhere else. You havent had a buffet until you experience a Pennsylvania smorgasbord. Driving in Pennsylvania can be quite the challenge, especially if you frequent the Turnpike. Along with having a ridiculous amount of toll roads, Pennsylvania also happens to have more taxes than the average state. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are ranked among the, most traffic-congested cities in the world. You are about two hours away from New York City, which is about the same distance it is to reach Baltimore. Some of the on-ramps are very long, turning into a temporary lane that everyone uses as a long zipper-style merge. One of the things you learn quickly after moving to Pennsylvania is the necessity to adopt a team to cheer on. The people of Pennsylvania are friendly and welcoming, and there are plenty . A group of Anabaptists moved from Switzerland to the Commonwealth in the middle of the 18th century, and there are Mennonites that provide diversity to the culture here as well. READ REDFINS FAIR HOUSING POLICY. If you live in Lancaster, then there is an expectation to clear your sidewalks no longer than five hours after it stops snowing. The Keystone State has a lot of old infrastructures that require repair. From breathtaking hills (the Appalachian Mountains are something else!) If you are using a screen reader, or having trouble reading this website, please call Redfin Customer Support for help at 1-844-759-7732. If you love chocolate, then you need to make your way here at least once. and car insurance, has compiled the most significant pros and cons of life in Pennsylvania so you are well informed before making such an important life decision. Pennsylvania has seen rapid population growth in recent years thanks in part to its low cost of living., , the Keystone State falls below the countrys average score of 100, making it the, are also below average, with the biggest savings coming in, , Pennsylvania residents often find it easy to afford a place to live. . Harrisburg is more dangerous than 94 percent of cities its size. You can also find a light rail system in Pittsburgh which connects the citys downtown with the surrounding suburbs. , you can visit a number of historic landmarks in Philly either on your own or as part of a guided tour. 6. 8. Weather 5. Gun owners without one must transport their firearms and ammunition in separate containers, even if their intent is to only go hunting. If you're thinking about buying a house in Bucks County, Montgomery County, or anywhere in the Philadelphia metro area,. As a state and possibly city tax-paying resident, you may be curious as to where your money is going since the transportation research nonprofit, TRIP, ranked PA as having the, 11th worst interstate pavement in the country. ). Dating all the way back to the end of Prohibition, Pennsylvania laws were passed (and still remain) in order to. Each city also has its own educational tax burden, so you will need to look this up just to see how much you have to budget for each month. You have not experienced a true buffet until you have a meal at one of these locations. Besides other purchases like groceries and transportation, the cost of living can be high . Now insert your own joke. According to statistics as well as the current polls from residents, Harrisburg is considered to be the best place to live in Pennsylvania. If a solid line is in place, the other car is staying there usually. All rights reserved. If the winters and heavy traffic sound like too much to withstand, though, Pennsylvania might not be the state for you. I moved to Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, to be exact) in my early 30s and ended up living in Pennsylvania for a total of 8 years. Refresh the page, check Medium 's site status, or find something interesting to read. You can also find a light rail system in Pittsburgh which connects the citys downtown with the surrounding suburbs. Two peoples experiences might be totally different. The colonist had an idea and they called it democracy. Con: Rough winters If mild weather is at the top of your priority list, you may want to reconsider Pennsylvania. Whats worse, in 2022 it was reported that Philadelphia has seen one of the highest increases in homicide rates. In the early days of the American industrial revolution, companies built towns for their workers as a way to motivate them to take a job. In the early days of the colonies, each colony had its own money system. Low cost of living. It depends on where you go, but for the most part, the answer is yes. In fact, two Pennsylvania cities are considered the some of the most affordable in the country. If you love to go hunting, then Pennsylvania is the perfect place to live. Asearly as 1781, there were proposition to amendthe Articles. Colonial Pennsylvania was an important hub in the American colonies and is a site of historical significance. But its true, and youll notice the poverty in a myriad ways. That can make it challenging to navigate certain sections of highway. While Pittsburgh was often seen as a city that has a problem keeping its steel industry intact, the truth is that the city that was built on metalworking is undergoing a renaissance. Theres always a chance that people might be too hard to understand, or that you will be stuck hearing Dutch. The actual taxes alone can be troublesome, but thats not the only issue you might have. The options are endless in Pennsylvania! Many young professionals are starting to flock to Pittsburgh in an effort to get in on the booming startup culture there. Locals are authentic and friendly It didn't take long after moving to Pennsylvania for me to realize how authentically friendly locals are. York was the original capital of the 13 colonies and the Liberty Bell still resides in Philadelphia. People tend to drive to the very end of the on-ramp before they begin to merge, even if you make some room for them. Even pronouncing certain city names can be a little funky when you first move in. I say this to make it clear that I wasnt going in blind, but still, I wasnt prepared for mid-day public transportation debacles (like threats and being masturbated next to). While some of the sundown towns have changed greatly, its still important to keep that in mind when you are passing through certain areas. you will have to go to different stores depending on which type of alcohol youre trying to buy, If you want beer or wine, you can find them in grocery stores, but if you want liquor, youll have to visit a State Storea state-owned liquor store. Cherry Springs State Park boasts one of the best environments in the United States, earning acclaim more than a decade ago as a Gold International Dark Sky Park. On the other hand, living in Harrisburg has its downsides: Construction, road condition, risk of flooding, and a high crime rate. Pennsylvania offers both big city living and small-town charm, and with its location, residents can travel to surrounding states like New York in no time. If someone wants to carry it in a hidden location, then you must have a license to carry in such a way. Other cities, such as Harrisburg and Scranton, have public transit systems that make movement easy and convenient. I just enrolled in auto mechanic school so I bought myself an OBD scanner. Its the home of the Philly cheese steak! A states school system should be one of the most important things to think about if you are going to move with a family. The diverse economy provides residents with various job opportunities and stability. If you choose to settle in Pittsburgh, however, youll be centrally located to some of the most unique destinations in the country. But dont just take my word for it, with average humidity clocking in at 69.6%, we have some of the most humid summers in the country. Yet, its impossible to ignore how many attractions the state has overall. I was never sure if someone would throw in an off-colored joke, which make letting my guard down challenging around new people. anthony apocalypse costume; mark dellagrotte record; shohreh aghdashloo ever after; wendy's employment verification; is it haram to wear shorts to sleep; 10. Education Cons of Living in Philadelphia 1. . The Native Americans eventually began to travel west and completely left the area. Pros And Cons Of The Constitution Of 1787. Tax 3. I bought a new car, and my existing insurance raised my prices and didnt budge. However, Harrisburg isnt without problems. We dont just mean tax burdens, either. You might not even bother to get a drivers license if you are here. Either way, were going to explain it as best we can. Overpopulation 2. Or, if theres a solid line, the other care will stay put. The states median home price is $270,000, which is well below the national average of $428,000. 7. You can pay with a credit card, cash, or a qualifying electronic transponder. There are also limitations as to, how much of each you can purchase at one time, It only feels right to end by boasting that, Pennsylvania is the chocolate capital of the United States, Founded in 1903 by the world-famous chocolate company, Hershey, this namesake town was originally inhabited only by Hershey employees to be fully self-sufficient in order to keep the focus on producing the best desserts.. Alright, before we move on to the cons of living in Pennsylvania, Id like to wrap the perks on a high note. You will need to get used to the nuclear sirens in the area. This is particularly true when it comes to the states many major cities. The name Pennsylvania is a combination of 'Penn' and 'Sylvania.'. Look up to see some of the best night skies in the world. TREC: Info About Brokerage Services, Consumer Protection Notice. Living in York, Pennsylvania PROS. The study took into account the overall cleanliness of the state by focuses on air quality, landfill use and the number of carbon dioxide produces annually. There are no rules that govern this activity, so you might find yourself slamming on the brakes if someone allows a turn unexpectedly. Even Pittsburgh sees more than 40 inches. Depending on where you live, you might be hit with a, , where your municipality can tax you up to 4% for taking residence there., This may sound rather arbitrary, but its important to know these taxes go towards funding things like, through which the state taxes your beneficiary on whatever inheritance you leave them., You will also find yourself paying extra at the pump with one of the. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up for helpful guides, interesting topics, and tips from locals. 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