Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania

Home to the world-famous Philly Cheesesteak and Penn State University is the state of Pennsylvania. The low cost of living, low taxes, proximity to NYC, good quality education, and the rich history and diversity make Pennsylvania a desirable place to live in the US, if not the world.

Here is a roundup of the best places to live in Pennsylvania:

Philadelphia

As with all of Pennsylvania, Philadelphians love their art. Art is central to the city and you will find it everywhere- murals and mosaics lining up walls and sculptures decorating the open spaces. It comes as no surprise that Philadelphia is the city of the first art museum and school in the US.

Philadelphia has an excellent economy so the work is abundantly available. Some of the world’s top universities are located in the city such as the University of Pennsylvania.

Living in Philadelphia, you will find, is much cheaper than many of the East Coast cities. While still offering all the amenities of a big city, it has a considerably lower cost of living; giving you the best of both worlds.

Not to mention Philadelphia is a neighbor of New York City and Washington DC. So you can go for a big city adventure anytime you want without having to worry about the big city problems!

Philadelphia has a rich history, being the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The original home of the Liberty Bell has distinct architecture and historical sites to explore such as the Independence Hall.

Areas like Manayunk and Roxborough make Philadelphia one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania for families. There are larger homes better suited for families and schools in these areas.

The public transport system here is highly efficient so there will be no need to run around navigating the tough streets in a car. Which has also made the city very biking and walking-friendly. As it turns out, there may be a lot of walking to do and places to visit. There are several parks with trails, hills, and forested areas.

Of course, there are a plethora of museums, galleries, and studios in the city. A heaven for art lovers and history buffs! But for those of us who aren’t; relax, it’s not all just art and history- there are plenty of bars, clubs, dancing spots, and restaurants to enjoy as well.

Pittsburgh

This steel town with an industrial past has much more than just that to offer. For instance, a good long life in Pittsburgh is one of America’s Blue Zones.

The city is affordable and gives access to public healthcare and education, parks and open spaces, plenty of sports, and has a low crime rate.

Pittsburgh has a thriving job market as it has become the center of technology and education. This has also made it a good place for families and graduates looking for work. Pittsburgh has up to 75 public schools with a decent rating.

One thing about Burghers, is they are very friendly and welcoming people. Moving here will not be so difficult because the people will make you feel right at home. They love their city and you will see it in everything they do!

Another thing about Burghers is they are big on sports. The place is a sports enthusiasts’ paradise. Whether it is hockey, football, or baseball, Pittsburgh has something for everyone. You will soon be caught up in the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins craziness that envelopes the city.

You’d be glad to know that Pittsburgh experiences all four seasons, and the town looks especially gorgeous in autumn. However, a majority of the days are cloudy. Yet, there’s a lot to do.

There are plenty of museums and art galleries. Phipps Conservatory, Heinz Hall of Performing Arts, and the National Aviary are interesting places to visit.

You can go golfing, sunflower picking, paddleboarding, kayaking, bike or walk along the many riverfront trails. Other than that there are bars, clubs, breweries, late-night restaurants, and live music cafes.

Pittsburgh is a great city for remote workers to settle. Internet in the city is provided by Xfinity and Kinetic and both offer 1000 Mbps of speed. There are plenty of remote coworking spaces, Gove Business Center, Fulton Commons, and Alloy 26 to name a few.

All of this makes Pittsburgh stand out on the list of the best places in Pennsylvania to live.

Lancaster

Lancaster offers the perfect mix of rural and urban. It has both sprawling farmlands and the hustle and bustle of the city.

At a 3-hour drive from New York, Lancaster is one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania close to NYC. In fact, the location of this city is superb. It is placed close to four big cities, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC. The Lancaster Airport also makes it easy to travel to and from the city.

The people of Lancaster are respectable, warm people who would welcome you. Pennsylvania is known to have a hospitable community and has been accepting of refugees.

The summers are pleasant and winter is not too harsh either. The snow provides opportunities for skiing and other winter sports. Additionally, the city has many family parks such as the Chocolate World, Dutch Wonderland, and Hershey Park.

One great thing about Lancaster? It supports an eco-friendly lifestyle with green habits. They make use of wind energy and also have the second-largest solar farm in the state.

Lancaster has been ranked as the best city in the US for remote workers by “Ownerly”- an app for homeowners. Since citizens saw a better work-life balance after working remotely and organizations saw an increase in productivity, remote work opportunities in Lancaster are aplenty. Coworking spaces like The Hive, The Candy Factory, and Lancaster Coworking are a great support to remote working individuals.

Wrap Up

These are some of the best places to live in PA. Pennsylvania has held a consistent rank among the best states to live in the US because of the combination of amenities it provides while keeping the cost of living low.