It’s interesting to see people talk about Pennsylvania. Is Pennsylvania a good place to live? What should someone moving to this part of the United States of America expect?
Everybody wants to move into a state where security and opportunities are abundant. Pennsylvania, like other parts of the United States, has huge potential. In other words, there is a lot to be excited about regarding this state. But is it worth moving into? Read to learn more!
Is Pennsylvania A Good Place To Live?
Pennsylvania, aka the “keystone state,” is a good place to live. It’s ranked the 14th best place to live in the United States of America. A financial consulting website called WalletHub did the study. In the said study, Pennsylvania ranked third in the quality of life.
There are several reasons you would cherish life in this adorable state. It boasts beautiful cities and friendly people. Yes, Pennsylvanians are lovely people. They’re hospitable and peaceful.
In WalletHub’s study, Pennsylvania ranked 6th for restaurants per capita. This position is massive because of its beautiful eateries across Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Another thing that makes Pennsylvania a good place to live is its cost of living. This state boasts a reasonable cost of living. In addition, there are plenty of things to do here.
This state also suits any lifestyle. So, whether you love and long for Mother Nature’s calmness or vibrant nightlife, you’ll find whatever you seek in this amazing state.
What Is Life In Pennsylvania Like?
Our response to the question is what Pennsylvania genuinely is. It’s a lovely place to live, and plenty of things, including historical sites to explore here.
Before moving, knowing the pros of living in the Keystone State is important. This way, you’ll prepare your mind for surprises.
Let’s discuss Pennsylvania’s history and current state, so you can deduce what it is like to live here. Read for more details.
Brief history of Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania began in 1681 with William Penn. Williams was lucky to receive a land grant from the Crown. He took the opportunity with both hands and started developing his land. He founded the city of Philadelphia in 1682.
Since William Penn’s exploration and expansion, Pennsylvania has grown in size and economic fortunes. It’s now the 5th most populous state in the United States of America.
Pennsylvania’s motto is virtue, liberty and independence. It boasts several nicknames, such as coal state, Quaker State, oil state, state of independence and keystone state. The capital is Harrisburg.
Pennsylvania’s population as of 2021 was 12.96 million. The state is shaped like a key, but that isn’t why it’s nicknamed “keystone state.” It has more to do with the state’s role in founding the United States of America.
Where is Pennsylvania located?
This adorable state is located in the upper right quadrant of the United States of America. It sits between the northeastern region and the Mid-Atlantic region.
Pennsylvania shares borders with various states. New York borders it to the north, while Delaware and New Jersey border it to the east. Ohio borders it to the west, while West Virginia and Maryland border to the south.
Pennsylvania’s strategic location makes it a great place to live. It shares borders with several states that also have plenty of things to do. You can move to Washington DC, Virginia Beach, Chicago or travel to New York by car.
Economy:
Pennsylvania isn’t looking bad economy-wise. It has the 6th largest economy in the United States of America, which equates to roughly $815 billion.
Several major companies have their headquarters in Pennsylvania. The opportunity for new and existing businesses to thrive is also visible.
The ease of doing business makes it a suitable state for entrepreneurs to thrive. But the one major challenge in this state is the low population growth. Experts have claimed that the state’s slow population growth can hurt its economy.
Pennsylvania has been an agricultural hub for quite a long time. It boasts a large expanse of arable land and produces various agricultural products. Modern agricultural production in the state includes oat, wheat, corn, barley, sweet potatoes, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower, and tobacco.
The state has also been a major producer of milk, poultry, eggs, and fruit such as grapes, berries, apples, cherries and peaches. However, corn remains the state’s major agricultural product.
Pennsylvania generates massive revenue from agriculture. But as things state, the state’s agricultural production has been experiencing a serious decline.
Most people living in Pennsylvania work in real estate, healthcare and manufacturing. Other career opportunities in the state include finances, IT, insurance and Professional service.
What Are The Reasons Living In Pennsylvania Is A Good Decision?
You will find so many reasons to move to Pennsylvania. Let’s dive in and share some of those reasons.
1: A place for foodie:
Are you a foodie? If yes, you’ll love it here. By the way, did you know Pennsylvania is home to some delicious foods? Stromboli, Pretzels, and Scrabble are from this state.
Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine is a delicacy in Allentown, Philadelphia, and Lancaster. It reflects the Pennsylvania Dutch German heritage, rejection of rapid change and agrarian society.
Pennsylvania is home to some incredible foods and restaurants. So, if you love food and enjoy eating out, you’ll love it here, likewise. Here are the top 10 foods you should try when you move to Penn.
- Philly cheese steaks
- Herr’s chips
- Shoo-fly pie
- Primanti bros
- Sheetz
- Tastykake
- Hot pretzels
- Scrabble
- Tomato pie
- Birch beer
2: Economy and job opportunities:
These are among the many factors people consider before moving into a new place or living there. With fewer job opportunities, people will struggle to afford what they want. Likewise, a state with a good economy is a wise place to live. One with a diverse economy makes more sense.
Pennsylvania fits into the different classification we just mentioned. It boasts a diverse economy and boasts several industries. Manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and insurance are among the fastest-growing industries. Agriculture is also one of the biggest contributors to the state’s revenue.
The state is home to some well-established companies. These include Comcast, Aramark, SAP America Inc., Duolingo, Sungard AS, Bentley Systems, and Genesis Health.
Individuals looking to switch careers will benefit from moving to Pennsylvania. The wide variety of job opportunities across diverse industries makes it appealing to job seekers. It also boasts the state’s economy, contributing massively to its stability.
3: Cost of living:
A comparison on the cost of living in Pennsylvania and New York reveals why moving to the former is a wise choice. Regarding home prices, Pennsylvania’s average home price is far below New York’s.
While Pennsylvania’s median sale price is $290,700, New York’s is $559,900. What about renting prices? It’s the same thing. Renting a home in Pennsylvania is way lower than in New York or New Jersey.
A comparison between the price of renting a two-bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania versus New Jersey shows why moving to the former is a wise choice. While a two-bedroom apartment in Harrisburg, Penn. goes for an average price of $1450, the same apartment goes for an average price of $2450 in Newark, New Jersey.
A Handy Tip: The average rental apartment in the country is $1750. So, the rental price in Pennsylvania is way lower than the national average.
You can drive from Pennsylvania to New York in just 2 hours. To Washington and New Jersey, it’s around the same duration.
4: Natural disaster:
Pennsylvania’s location makes it less prone to natural disasters like hurricanes and tropical storms. It’s located in the center of the country.
So, if you’re worried about the prevalent occurrence of natural disasters in the country, Pennsylvania is one of the states to consider moving into. The only thing you may have to worry about is snowfall, though this won’t cause any serious problems.
Conclusion
Is Pennsylvania a good place to live? Yes, it’s a great place to live for several reasons. The people in this state are friendly, and there are plenty of things to do here.
Pennsylvania is home to some of the best restaurants and cuisines in the country. So, if you’re a foodie, you’ll love it here. There are plenty of job opportunities here too. The varied job opportunities and industries make switching careers a breeze for residents in this state.
You can land your dream job in the agricultural, manufacturing, IT, insurance or finance sectors.
