Returned to Central Pennsylvania for a day, forgot how stunning.

[GON]

I worked in Central Pennsylvania a few years ago. When we arrived in Central Pennsylvania we had no idea how stunning the terrain was, how salt of th earth it's residents are, and how patriotic it's people are.

I returned to Central Pennsylvania for just a day. This blessed area hasn't changed a inch from when we left. Wonderful people, postcard perfect landscape. Little stands dotting the country roads with fresh produce, primarily berries being sold.

A very special part of Americana, Central Pennsylvania.

 

[Nukeman7]

By your description, Central PA should be at the top of list for the retirement property that you have been seeking for a while now.

 

[Cujet]

By your description, Central PA should be at the top of list for the retirement property that you have been seeking for a while now.

I tried to purchase a small $104K home there. The taxes were in the "insane" range. On the order of $7k per year, $3,500 for property tax and $3,500 for school taxes. Not to mention the $2,000 community well and septic charges. No thanks. There really is a reason so many PA inhabitants are destitute, they have been taxed into abject poverty. Gas tax is stupidly high along with a hefty state income tax.

I ended up renting much larger and nicer homes, closer to where I wanted to be, from 2017 through 2022. Cost me less money in the end.

 

[zzyzzx]

I tried to purchase a small $104K home there. The taxes were in the "insane" range. On the order of $7k per year, $3,500 for property tax and $3,500 for school taxes.

It's my understanding that type of thing can vary a lot in PA based on the location, because those two taxes are local taxes.

 

[Zee09]

That's why I'm there daily. I saw a 6 horse Amish team roll into a Sunoco station. That was neat. Couldn't get a picture unfortunately.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I worked in Central Pennsylvania a few years ago. When we arrived in Central Pennsylvania we had no idea how stunning the terrain was, how salt of th earth it's residents are, and how patriotic it's people are.

I returned to Central Pennsylvania for just a day. This blessed area hasn't changed a inch from when we left. Wonderful people, postcard perfect landscape. Little stands dotting the country roads with fresh proy, primarily berries be sold.

A very special part of Americana, Central Pennsylvania.

I was sent to several sections of Penn years ago to a couple of plant sites and a machine shop to do some compressor and turbine training. I can tell you from what I saw I was very upset that I did not have more free time to visit the area. At one point I was very near the historic Gettysburg battle site that I was unable to stop at. What was an amazing part of the trip was that I flew into a small airport. I then rented a car to get where I had to stay. Trip took me all over the country thru these tiny little towns to get back and forth as there was no section of interstate to get me where I had to go. Gorgeous country to say the least.

 

[Zee09]

It's my understanding that type of thing can vary a lot in PA based on the location, because those two taxes are local taxes.

True...
Often they are cheaper than MD. tax wise

 

[Zee09]

Here's how I enter into PA every morning via the back roads coming from MD. Which is just as beautiful.

 

[CKN]

By your description, Central PA should be at the top of list for the retirement property that you have been seeking for a while now.

Are there any rattle snakes there? LOL......

 

[zzyzzx]

PA is actually a good place to visit. I recommend:
Utz factory tour
Snyder's of Hanover factory tours
Harley Davidson and Wolfgang Candy in York.
The Hanover Junction civil war site (I think I did that one as a break in a train ride)
The old prison (Eastern State) and the touristy stuff near the Visitors Center in Philadelphia (The mint, Independance Hall, etc.)
Amish country (do the train ride, Strausburg RR and train museum there)

Valley Forge is on my list of places there to visit that I haven't been to yet.

 

[GON]

By your description, Central PA should be at the top of list for the retirement property that you have been seeking for a while now.

Thanks- have not seen a job opening I match for in the area. Not sure my body is strong enough to milk cows twice a day......seven days a week.......

 

[Delta]

South Central PA resident here. Front yard view is the mountains, backyard view over the trees is the mountains. Wouldn't have it any other way.

To the poster who mentioned taxes. My area is not hateful at all. Not sure why that specific area is nuts like that. Got to look at older homes; taxes are cheaper.

 

[redbone3]

For a quick scenic tour of Pennsylvania take I80 across the state. For a more leisurely tour use Rt. 6, which will take you on a curvy, up hill and down trip through a beautiful countryside and a lot of little towns.

 

[Inked]

PA is actually a good place to visit. I recommend:
Utz factory tour
Snyder's of Hanover factory tours
Harley Davidson and Wolfgang Candy in York.
The Hanover Junction civil war site (I think I did that one as a break in a train ride)
The old prison (Eastern State) and the touristy stuff near the Visitors Center in Philadelphia (The mint, Independance Hall, etc.)
Amish country (do the train ride, Strausburg RR and train museum there)

Valley Forge is on my list of places there to visit that I haven't been to yet.

Don’t forget the Martin Guitar factory tour.

 

[wlk]

Live here as well close to Hershey and Harrisburg. Been here 19yrs and would love to leave anytime but the wife was born and raised here. Taxes suck big time. You have State, Local taxes where you live, then municipality taxes where you work, school taxes and property taxes. Plus highest gas taxes and garbage roads. Especially since a portion of all the school taxes go to Philly and Pittsburgh. It is a corrupt racket but also beautiful scenery.

 

[ammolab]

Grew up in Milton and Bloomsburg on different branches of the Susquehanna river.
Pheasants and rabbits on the dinner table and lovely gals in the schools. Target rich environment everywhere, everyday.

 

[Astro14]

I worked in Central Pennsylvania a few years ago. When we arrived in Central Pennsylvania we had no idea how stunning the terrain was, how salt of th earth it's residents are, and how patriotic it's people are.

I returned to Central Pennsylvania for just a day. This blessed area hasn't changed a inch from when we left. Wonderful people, postcard perfect landscape. Little stands dotting the country roads with fresh produce, primarily berries being sold.

A very special part of Americana, Central Pennsylvania.

Lewisburg, perhaps?

 

[ctechbob]

Born and raised a little bit west of central.

Totally agree, the scenery can be stunning and the people are just as nice as can be for the most part. Hard working, straight shooters.

Still love going up there to visit family every now and then, although during the summer only. You can keep the winters.

 

[Zee09]

I hauled tons of walnut gunstock blanks out of PA near the mountains for decades and it was the most colorful wood and far prettier than Claro walnut. Here are some DIY. ones from the early 90s

 

[Bud]

I have been all over the state. Dated a gal from Tunkhannock, went to school near Hamburg, and married a girl from Everitt. PA has some beautiful country. Love the Gettysburg, and Amish areas.