[jrose_lee]

we want to move to PA. We like rural areas, but need to be near a place with a teaching job for my husband, as well as a source for raw milk and organic produce and meat. Maybe near some farms. We like space! We want at least a few acres. could anyone reccommend an area?! Thanks!

 

[Hevyne]

We have a great school district here in Weatherly. Actually it is ranked very high. But there are other schools around here too so I'm sure there is employment here. We live very rural here...can't even get cable tv..lol But there are some not so rural areas too!! We get raw milk and organic produce within 10 minutes from home and there are plenty of farms here as well. We live on the other side of the Lehigh so the land and houses are really inexpensive. It is very quiet. PM me if you want more info!!

 

[Mearaina]

We live in Lancaster county. It is very rural with lots of farms that do organics/free range, and there are also lots of schools. The land is pretty expensive, though, up to 30000 an acre

: . When we buy our "Real" home we will have to move so we can afford it...

 

[jrose_lee]

is philadelphia safe. we live near chicago which I am sure has more crime and such but do you feel safe in Philadelphia, not even to live in but maybe to work in. My dh could more easily find a job there. what about pitts?

 

[Jes]

Certain parts of Pittsburgh you have to watch. There are some nicer more rural suburbs of Pittsburgh. Also there is Westmoreland County, Indiana County that are more rural but still have a lot to offer.

 

[MrsMike]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrose_lee is philadelphia safe. we live near chicago which I am sure has more crime and such but do you feel safe in Philadelphia, not even to live in but maybe to work in. My dh could more easily find a job there. what about pitts?

Working in Philly should be fine. I lived there for 25 years and my parents still live in the same neighborhood. I'm there a few times a week. I feel safe in Philly, but I'm used to the city. Philly is going through a big crime wave. It's also a very changeable city. Neighborhoods that were safe 5 years ago are no longer so, and neighborhoods that were crappy 5 years ago are getting better. Every city has it's problems and it's all about finding the right neighborhood and such. There are nicer areas outside the city. There are farms around in all the counties currounding Philly. The big problem around here, and in PA in general, is overdevelopment. Development is big in this state and farms are rapidly disappearing.
Good luck in your search.

 

[DebraBaker]

Working in Philadelphia can be problematic because they have an outrageously high wage tax.

Plus, the schools are horrid, and you must be really careful about where to live.

There are beautiful old homes, but taxes are also outrageous.

Some suburbs are good and others sketchy.

I live in Chester County, It doesn't take long to get out into the country but the city is pretty close by as well.

It's too built up and there are a lot of mcmansions here.

 

[paquerette]

I'm in the Scranton area, in the northeast corner. Definately all the ruralness you could hope for! Living is very cheap here. Teaching is competitive, but good pay and benefits if you can get it. It's not super crunchy here by any means, but I am able to get organic meat and produce. If I could afford it, I could do it exclusively.

 

[DemianYumei]

I live in York County, which is not far from Gettysburg. This past weekend I drove out to west Gettysburg to visit Hundredfold Farm, which is a cohousing community. The people are so cool, very warm and friendly. They're in the proces of putting up passive solar houses. We went through the four that just went up, still under construction, but enough to wak through.

They have a greenhouse to recycle their water. The houses will be clustered together to lessen their impact on the earth and to encourage interaction. They have a working Christmas tree farm, and the whole thing is situated on 80 acres, wooded area, and beautiful view.

Definitely worth checking out their website for more information. Gettysburg has a college. Not too sure about other places of education or anything about their school district. I homeschool, and so does one of the founding families.

I don't have the resources to move in now, but I do know I want to keep in touch with the people and be a part of their community in some way. I'll be visiting again later this month probably.

Demian,
~DreamSinger

 

[mommy2julia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebraBaker Working in Philadelphia can be problematic because they have an outrageously high wage tax. Plus, the schools are horrid, and you must be really careful about where to live. There are beautiful old homes, but taxes are also outrageous. Some suburbs are good and others sketchy. I live in Chester County, It doesn't take long to get out into the country but the city is pretty close by as well. It's too built up and there are a lot of mcmansions here.

I worked in Philly schools- Not all the schools are horrid.. i think that verb was alittle extreme... However, working in one of the better Philly schools require a long drawn out process and those schools usualy goto people who've worked, student taught or went to Philadelphia Urban colleges.. PM if you want more info.

I live in a pretty good suburb of Phila. But the more west you go, the "worse" it gets. I guess it depends on what you think is bad.. There are some suburbs that are WORSE than some parts of Philly, and there are some parts of Philly that are great to live in.. There are some rural suburbs in Philly too, (if that exsists)-There is the Rosetree Media area--which is kinda rural but not as rural as many places in Chester County.. House prices are outragous --i'm not sure about organic farms but there are several whole foods including one downtown, 2t trader joes in the area and there is a few co-ops too.

 

[talk de jour]

I can't say enough about Pittsburgh... to me it's one of the best places in the world, and I've NEVER felt unsafe there.

But if you're looking for a rural area... I guess you're not interested. Maybe I can change your mind, though?

:

 

[mommy2julia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by talk de jour I can't say enough about Pittsburgh... to me it's one of the best places in the world, and I've NEVER felt unsafe there. But if you're looking for a rural area... I guess you're not interested. Maybe I can change your mind, though? :

Pittsburgh is nice.. I went to school there for a year--(not IN pitt but in a rural area of pitt.. )

 

[mommaduck]

We live in Lancaster County...It's been a blessing to move here! The food is cheaper than anywhere I have seen (ppl even come from the Philly area to shop at times!). You just have to get used to bicycles and buggies on the road (you can go around them though). I've heard good things about the schools here if your hubby is looking for a job...however, if you decide to homeschool your own children, this county is known for being the best county in PA to homeschool in.

Philly: we came from St Louis....Philly seems really cool.

 

[DebraBaker]

I live in Downingtown, my kiddos go to Downingtown schools. The schools are excellent.

I go to West Chester University, pretty good. West Chester is a nice town to live in because it has more of a young vibe than Downingtown, which is what you would call a bedroom community.

It's a bit too developed but it's nice out here. Not rural, city is about an hour away, you can take the train in from several train stations along the main line.

I'm happy here, but, if I had my choice, I'd live in Vancouver.

 

[mmace]

I live in Washington County. It takes me about 30 minutes to get into Pittsburgh (we're south of Pittsburgh) - lots of farms and open areas, but still close enough to the city.

 

[mommy2julia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebraBaker I live in Downingtown, my kiddos go to Downingtown schools. The schools are excellent. I go to West Chester University, pretty good. West Chester is a nice town to live in because it has more of a young vibe than Downingtown, which is what you would call a bedroom community. It's a bit too developed but it's nice out here. Not rural, city is about an hour away, you can take the train in from several train stations along the main line. I'm happy here, but, if I had my choice, I'd live in Vancouver.

Downingtow is nice.. I'm thinking about relocating there!!!

 

[DebraBaker]

If you can stand being my neighbor.

:

 

[mommy2julia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebraBaker If you can stand being my neighbor. :

of course.. I love all MDC mamas!!!!

 

[AppleCrisp]

State College? I know a lot of people like the ruralness of that. I really like Gettysburg area, and Lancaster. Really farmy

I live (soon to move) in Bloomsburg (outer NEPA). It has its grungy aspects, but the amenities are decent, growing, and still lots of quiet places to live. Its a university town, and I think its pretty arty for a smallish PA town - pottery, painters, photography, crafts, not to mention the great Bloomsburg Childrens Museum!

 

[MooseMtnMidwife]

I moved here to State College just three years ago, from Bloomington Indiana, which is the hippest town in the world. I was really afraid of not liking it here...to the contrary, I love it. The scenery, the mountains, the clean air and water are amazing, and the people are great. They don't just call it Happy Valley for nothing....great schools, lots of organic and raw food...in fact, this area is overloaded with great food options. I love my hippieAmish clients who are a driving force in agrichange here. We are making waves in the birthing culture by having an activist group....there is a lot of great stuff going on here...come join us!

Krystn Madrine