I am soon to be in the health field and am considering relocating to PA. I would like anyone's opinion here about good out of the way places in PA. My concerns in property include: privacy, proximity to local farmers/farmland, christian base of people, etc. Any comments are welcome please. thank you
Welcome to Pennsylvania. You picked a bad time to enter the health profession. We have lots of jobs, yes, but very bad working conditions, low pay, minimal benefits and miserable hours. This is particularly true of PA where the CAT Fund (lawyer insurance scam) has driven health care costs through the roof.
As far as relocation goes, look at a map. You will see an area in North Central PA (McKean, Potter, Tioga, counties) that is relatively devoid of big cities, interstate highways, and (in general) big industry. There is lots of remote farmland protected by large hills and areas of state forest. There is some industry, some agriculture, and a moderately small indigent population. Shopping and entertainment are some distance away (1-2 hours). There are good, but small restaurants, and a fair selection of foodstuffs (local farmer’s stands have the best produce. Fruits and other produce are shipped in and are of fair to poor quality.). The only TV and radio reception is by cable or satellite dish. Winters can be rough – hard on cars, heating bills and your snow blower. Summers can be hot and humid. In general, the roads are poor to non-existent. The critters are everywhere – elk, deer, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, turkey, quail, beaver, etc. The yearly deer strike is hard on the car insurance.
Security: Nothing but woods up there. Hide anywhere. But remember, everybody has a scanner and the favorite pastime is watching what your crazy neighbors are doing or calling 911 because you think the ambulance is taking the wrong route to Bubba’s house.
The area is relatively self-sufficient, and everybody has at least 3 hunting rifles.
Jobs: In the health care industry, each county has a community hospital. Like every other hospital in the US, they are being regulated out of existence. Pay is lower than in a larger hospital, but you have a closer feeling of community. Hours suck and mandatory overtime is becoming the standard.
Christian Community: This may be the one area I think this region excels. There are multiple churches in the denomination of your choice, with strong biblical teachings, fellowship, and a great sense of community.
I hope this may help in your relocation plans. Best of luck
Thank you Blizzard,
I am hoping that Pennsylvania will be a better choice than New England(NH ME or VT.) First of all, an area's ability for people to grow food is the most important aspect, my opinion. I remember a trip in 1996 I took from Pittsburgh back home. We took US Rt. 22 out of Pittsburg(scenic.) One thing I remember was the incredible number of farms there. One after another, we don't see that here in Massachusetts. A slightly warmer zone would be better perhaps, I might consider central PA. I like the conservative firearms laws there, also the fact that hunting and growing food are still a way of life for a lot of people there. How are your taxes? I think I want to locate closer to a midsized metro region only for the purpose of a better job. I would welcome overtime at this point to get ahead. I was travelling in S. central PA in february and stopped off at a local college church on sunday. I was very surprised and happy to see a large attendance of people in my age group and also families. You don't see the religious connection like that up here. Anyway, I hope PA is a better choice in that respect. I have toyed with moving south to either KY,or TN/NC. But I'm not sure I can take the summer heat. I am used to a moderate climate, with breaks in humidity. They seem to get a lot of rain there, also I'm not sure I will be welcome, having a new 'yankee' in town.. I am trying to avoid problems by moving not cause more. I do love Pennsylvania and the many times I have driven thru I have enjoyed.
What is your specific specialty in the health industry? I have several contacts in both North and South Central PA. Maybe I can help.
Taxes: When I was recruited to Pennsylvania, I was told, “We only have these little nuisance taxes.” Well, these nuisances take up about 10% of my total income. Frustrating, but about the same as any other New England state.
TN/NC: I lived in the mountains of North Carolina for 4 years. I was always “that Yankee!” As I made some initial friends, the word was spread I was a nice guy, but then I married one of those “southern belles” and I was not only a Yankee, but a “Damn Yankee Carpetbagger!” I still have good friends down there, but I was never totally accepted as one of the clan.
Let me know if I can help further.
Blizzard, what do you know of DuBois area and Elk County? Thanks.
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I missed the post.
I know a lot about Elk, Cameron, Clinton, and McKean counties. I think it is a fantastic place to live. I don't like all the BS regulations Pennsylvania has but I can live with it.
DuBois is also a great town. Their hospital is in the top 5% in the country by customer satisfaction scores. They are, however, on interstate 80. This is a main East-West route. Too close to civilization for me.
Let me know if you need specific information.
Thanks Blizzard - please email me: rokonmi@aol.com