Moving to Pennsylvania? Wawa or Sheetz, City or Country, Black Ice or Blazing Summers
Last Modified: January 5, 2026
Are you tired of reading Pennsylvania moving guides that feel more like geography textbooks, stuffed with census stats and weather charts? Life in PA can't be expressed with a bar graph. It is a lesson in extremes. The weather can shift through four seasons in one day, housing spans from penthouses to log cabins, and driving can mean dirt roads or highways. Simple demographic stats obviously miss the true dividing line between Wawa and Sheetz country and where the locals get their cheesesteaks (hint: it's not from Pat or Gino). If you are looking for the perfect scenic drive (Bucks County has one with 12 covered bridges), the best museums from Philly classics to Andy Warhol weird, or fantastic hiking (they call it "Rocksylvanian" for a reason), the Keystone State might just be calling you home. Our playful and witty moving guide will prepare you for the good (Like weekend farmer's markets filled with local produce and baked goods) and the bad (potholes so bad they have their own marketing campaign (thanks, Millersburg!), so you'll actually know what it's REALLY like to live, work, and play in Pennsylvania.
Snappy Summary: Pennsylvania gives you affordable homes, strong hospitals and universities, real four seasons, and big city culture in Philly and Pittsburgh, but expect high property and local wage taxes, rough winters, aging roads, and uneven job markets outside the metros. People keep coming for the value and location near New York and D.C., plus the mix of history, food, and outdoor space.
Hey, I'm Alyssa
I’m a PA lifer who has moved so often I’ve learned to never give away boxes after a move. After 12 moves throughout the state, I’ve learned that every Pennsylvania town has opinions—mostly about hoagies, traffic, which gas station chain you’re loyal to, and how to properly use the second person plural pronoun to address a group of people (hint: it is NOT “you all”). I know the cultural borders between Philly, Pittsburgh, and the Central T and can pronounce Wilkes-Barre, Schuylkill, and Duquesne without tripping over my tongue. I spend my free time threading yarn, tearing through novels (200/year), and feeding a house full of Star Wars–loving kids. At Snappy Scout, I convert a lifetime of Pennsylvania knowledge into usable PA wisdom… so youse need to listen up!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertThe Inside Scoop on Pennsylvania Cities
Major Cities In A Nutshell
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is perfect for: big city grit, rowhome pride, and neighborhood loyalty.
Widely recognized as the place for: Eagles Sundays, public art, and a Museum for every interest
City as a personality: stubborn friend who argues, then feeds you to bursting
Locals live here because: rowhouse mortgages, biotech gigs, SEPTA everywhere
Nothing's more Philadelphia than: water (woo-der) ice debates and midnight Wawa runs
Your housing options here are: brick trinities, skinny stoops, surprise back patios
Don't say we didn't warn you about: parking gymnastics on trash night. Savesies are real and will get your tires slashed.
What you'll wear most often: hoodies, sneaks, and a cursed Eagles cap
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, perfect for: tech paychecks, cheap pierogis, three river views—behold the Allegheny, Monongahela, and mighty Ohio.
Well known for: bridges, Steelers lore, proud neighborhood fiefdoms
If Pittsburgh were a person, it'd be: gritty engineer baking cookies for the block
Move here for: affordable houses, research jobs, shockingly short commutes
Locals know best: Primanti sandwiches at 2 am. Coleslaw and fries on top, no plate needed.
Home sweet home in Pittsburgh is like: brick boxes, hillside porches, skyline peeks
Be prepared for: grey winters and GPS crying on hills—Canton Ave. is literally the steepest street in the country.
The dress code here is: black and gold everywhere, even baby onesies
Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley is perfect for: Philly paychecks with backyard space and sanity
Best known for: warehouses, commuter badge flexing, and Musikfest (ten days in August, free stages everywhere, zero excuses to miss it).
Lehigh Valley in human form is: ambitious suburbanite hoarding Wegmans points—seriously, it's a religion here.
Locals live here because: good schools, new builds, easy Jersey hop
Nothing's more Lehigh Valley than: Friday lights and pierogis at church basements
Your housing options here are: cul-de-sacs, stone farmhouses, converted steel lofts
The downsides are: traffic spikes when every warehouse shift ends, thanks to Amazon turning the whole valley into a logistics hub.
Local fashion forecast: Eagles jersey over flannel from Target
Harrisburg-Hershey
Harrisburg-Hershey: state jobs, chocolate breeze, small town pace. The streetlights are shaped like Hershey Kisses, not even joking.
Widely recognized as the place for: politics by day, Little League by night
City as a personality: budget analyst with a sweet tooth
Move here if you want: steady paychecks, suburban yards, easy Turnpike access
Locals swear by: Softball at dusk and Broad Street Market (the oldest continuously operating market in the country).
Home sweet home in Harrisburg-Hershey is like: brick twins, ranches, and leafy cul-de-sacs
Don't be surprised. We warned you that river floods flirt with your basement. The Susquehanna has opinions every spring.
What you'll wear most often: polos, rain boots, Friday Night Lights jacket
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre is perfect for: Real mortgages, mountains right there, and Office memes—Dunder Mifflin tourists are real!
Best known for: coal roots, hardy families, diner coffee loyalty
If Scranton-Wilkes-Barre were a person, it'd be: no-nonsense aunt with a karaoke mic
Locals live here because: cheap housing, highway hops, neighbors who shovel
Locals know best: Friday fish fry and church bazaars. Catholic guilt is not required, but it helps.
Your housing options here are: duplexes, porches, and tidy brick boxes
The downsides are: jobs can be patchy, and winters bite. The lake effect blows over from Erie and hits you upside the head.
Local fashion forecast: Carhartt, flannel, and a Penguins hoodie
Lancaster
Lancaster is perfect for: city energy, farm views, and surprisingly great coffee
Well known for: Amish buggies meeting hipster breweries. You'll get stuck behind a horse on Route 30; just accept it.
Lancaster in human form is: a craftsman woodworker with a cold brew
Move here for: walkable blocks, healthcare gigs, chill pace
Nothing's more Lancaster than: farmers' market hauls and porch chats. Central Market has been running since 1730—the oldest in the US!
Housing vibe: brick rowhomes, farmhouse renovations, tidy suburbs
Be prepared for: tractor traffic on your Target run and buggies in the Costco parking lot
The dress code here is: work boots, linen, and Sunday best
State College
State College, perfect for: college town buzz minus big city hassles
Widely recognized as the place for: football weekends and lifelong alumni neighbors. 107,000 people ina town of 40,000—good luck finding parking.
City as a personality: cheer captain who aces calculus
Move here if you want: safe streets, research jobs, endless youth energy
Locals swear by: Spring Arts Fest and Grilled Stickies from Ye Olde College Dinner, cash only, no debate.
Home sweet home in State College is like: townhouses, leafy streets, professors biking everywhere
Don't say we didn't warn you about: rent spikes every August when 45,000 students swarm back in all at once.
What you'll wear most often: blue and white, forever and ever
Eat Like a Local
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local Expert
Fun Facts
Fun Facts You Might Not Have Known About Pennsylvania
Think you really know Pennsylvania? It's a state with sandwiches that slap, from Wawa hoagies in the east to Primanti sandwiches in the west, and cheesesteaks and roast pork to dazzle the most discerning palate. Amish buggies clip-clop along side Teslas, and business execs and students rub elbows on the train. Let's run through the facts, stats, and Gritty trivia that showcase what makes Pennsylvania's historic past and modern advantages irresistible.
- Common nicknames for Pennsylvania: Keystone State, Quaker State, The Commonwealth
- Local Reality Check: It's not just Philly and Pittsburgh Check out Amish country, Mount Pocono, waterfront boroughs, or post steel town revivals.
- You're most likely moving from: New York, New Jersey, Maryland or D.C. Commuters chasing more space and cheaper homes.
- Strangely large concentration of: covered bridges, soft pretzel bakeries, hunters, pierogi festivals, coal mines, historical landmarks.
- Music scene: Philly neo-soul, indie rock, and punk, Pittsburgh hip-hop, alt-rock, and country, Scranton jazz and indie, Wilkes-Barre hardcore.
- You'll have to see it to believe it: Punxsutawney Phil calling spring on Gobbler's Knob at dawn. The 20-foot tall flaming phoenix at the Firebird Festival.
- Unique Geography: Appalachian ridges and valleys, Allegheny Plateau, Delaware and Ohio river basins, Lake Erie shore.
- Pennsylvania is home to: Hersheypark, Gettysburg Battlefield, Fallingwater, the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge.
- Well known for its: Cheesesteaks, hoagies, scrapple, pierogies, whoopie pies, craft beer, steel roots, museums, historic sites.
- Fun history fact: Declaration of Independence signed at Philadelphia's Independence Hall in 1776.
- Celebrity sightings: Taylor Swift roots in Wyomissing, Wiz Khalifa around Pittsburgh, Questlove across Philly.
- Noteworthy Census stat: 12.96 million residents in 2020, 5th most populous.
- Most interesting sub-culture within Pennsylvania: The Philly Mummers Brigades parade down Broad Street every New Year's Day in elaborate costumes, sporting millions of sequins, golden slippers, and banjos.
- Population: 5th by population, 33rd by land size
- Pennsylvania is roughly the same geographic size as: Bulgaria
Locals Know Best
There are a lot of nicknames for Pennsylvania, but the locals always refer to it as PA.
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertMost Likely Personalities to Love (or Hate) Pennsylvania
Is Pennsylvania right for me? Foodies, craft beer fans, and college students will feast at Reading Terminal, sipping Troegs and storming the Rocky steps. Beach bums and retired snowbirds, try Presque Isle beaches—unsalted, no sharks! Whether you're looking for hipster coffee, family-friendly communities, or life on the farm, there is a place for you.
Personality Fit Guide
| Personality | % | Recommended Cities | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foodie | 95% | Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Phoenixville, Lancaster, West Chester, Cranberry, New Hope, Pottstown | Michelin stars, Reading Terminal, The Strip District, farm-to-table, comfort food, small town hidden gems |
| Craft Beer Fan | 93% | Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Hershey, Pottsville, Lehigh Valley, Lancaster | Troegs, Dancing Gnome, Grist House, Hitchhiker Brewing, Yuenglings, Weyerbacher, Spring House Brewing, Yards Brewing, Human Robot, Wissahickon Brewing Company |
| College Student | 90% | State College, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Villanova, University Park | Penn State tailgates, UPenn Ivy League, Carnegie Mellon Diversity, Villinova Community Focus, Drexel co ops, Oakland breaks, Pitt Pride, Temple Innovation |
| Adventure Junkie | 88% | Ohiopyle, Pocono Mountains, Pine Creek Gorge | Youghiogheny whitewater, Hawk Mountain climbs, PA Grand Canyon views |
| Hipster | 86% | Fishtown, Lawrenceville, South Side, New Hope | La Colombe, Johnny Brenda's, Mr. Smalls shows set tone |
| Coffee Snob | 84% | Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, | La Colombe flagship, Commonplace roasts, Elixr latte art, Homestead Roasters, Backyard Beans |
| Farmer's Market Regular | 82% | Lancaster, Philadelphia, Doylestown, Ardmore, Gettysburg, | Amish delights, Headhouse Square, Kennett Square, Historic Round Barn, Suburban Square |
| Vintage Thrifter | 80% | Pittsburgh, Philadelphia | Strip District finds, South Street racks, Neighborhood Flea weekends |
| Dog Momma | 78% | Philadelphia, Pittsburgh | Schuylkill strolls, Frick Park romps, patios welcome pups |
| PTA President | 76% | Lower Merion, Upper St. Clair, Doylestown | Top schools, Friday Night lights, Main Line bake sale bragging |
| Gamer | 74% | Philadelphia, Pittsburgh | Nerd Street events, Replay FX legacy, Oaks Expo cons |
| DIYer | 72% | Pittsburgh, Lancaster | Construction Junction treasures, Lancaster barns beg creative rehabs |
| Garden Club Lifetime Member | 70% | Kennett Square, Pittsburgh | Longwood Gardens glam, Phipps Conservatory blooms year round |
| CrossFit Regular | 68% | Philadelphia, King of Prussia | Boxes everywhere, Broad Street Run vibes boost PRs |
| Yoga Instructor | 66% | Philadelphia, New Hope | Schuylkill sunset flows, Delaware Canal zen, Morris Arboretum calm |
| Stay at Home Mom | 64% | Cranberry Township, West Chester, Downingtown | Parks, library storytimes, Kennywood days, and Wawa bribery |
| Minimalist | 62% | Philadelphia, Pittsburgh | Loft living, SEPTA and Port Authority simplify life |
| Homesteader | 60% | Clarion, Somerset, Tioga | Acreage cheap, maple runs, farmers fairs like Bloomsburg |
| Retired Military | 58% | Carlisle, Philadelphia | Army War College nearby, strong VA networks in Philly |
| Tech Bro | 56% | Pittsburgh, Philadelphia | CMU robotics, Argo AI alumni, uCity Square startups buzzing |
| Cowboy | 48% | Bloomsburg, Washington | Bloomsburg Fair and rodeos exist, but this is not Fort Worth |
| Binge Shopper | 46% | King of Prussia, Philadelphia | KOP Mall slays, Walnut Street dazzles, but no Fifth Avenue |
| Wall Street Exec | 40% | Philadelphia | Comcast Center views, suburban mansions, but NYC deal flow rules |
| Retired Snowbird | 34% | Lancaster, Hershey | Dutch Country charm, Hersheypark grandkids bait, but winters bite hard |
| Beach Bum | 32% | Erie | Presque Isle beaches shine, but ocean boardwalk dreams wait Jersey |
| Surfer Dude | 24% | Erie | Lake Erie wind swells appear, but steady surf? Not here |
What Makes Pennsylvania Feel Like Home
Walking through a farmer's market filled with local vendors selling everything from fresh-picked sweet corn and homemade muffins to vintage records and found art represents the diverse communities in PA.
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local Expert
Things To Do
Fun Things to Do Around Pennsylvania
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Pennsylvania? If you like the idea of kayaking beneath river bridges on the Schuykill, spending time wandering through Amish markets in Lititz, and checking out glassblowing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is your new home! This list of fun things to do will take you from woodland walks to the city center and give you a quick taste of Pennsylvania's history, culture, and outdoor beauty.
- This is the Iconic Road Trip to take: Cruise Pennsylvania Route 6 across the PA Wilds, small town hopping. Be sure to hit Wellsboro for the gas-lit Main Street.
- Go Outside & Hike: Hike Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga County, for rim trail views. October is when the colors peak.
- Stargaze on clear, dark nights: Cherry Springs State Park, gaze at Milky Way brilliance in Coudersport, one of the darkest skies on the east coast.
- Maybe you should go chasing waterfalls: Ricketts Glen State Park in northeast PA, has 22 named waterfalls. Tackle the Falls Trail if your knees can handle the stairs.
- Underground Adventure: Tour Penn's Cave by boat in Centre Hall near State College. Bring a jacket, it's 52° year round!
- Spend Time on the Water cooling off: Heat wave? Raft the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park. FYI—it's pronounced YOCK-uh-gay-knee.
- Historic Forts: It's Fort Pitt Museum time at Point State Park in Pittsburg.
- This is what locals do on the weekends: Pittsburgh's Strip District, sample pierogies and beans at market stalls
- For the Sports Fans: Philadelphia, catch a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. The Phanatic alone is worth the ticket.
- Pick your own farm to table fare: Pick apples at Linvilla Orchards in Media, Delaware County. Or go in June for strawberries.
Hidden Gem Spotlight
Meadow Lark Cafe & Bakery in Bucks County. Homemade bread, top-notch baristas, and amazing specials, all in an old stone house filled with thrifted furniture and accessories you can purchase!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertTaxes, Politics & People
The Essential Pennsylvania Trifecta
<strong>State Income Tax</strong>: Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
<strong>Property Taxes</strong>: High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
<strong>Pennsylvania politics are</strong>: Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
<strong>Pennsylvanians are</strong>: Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
<strong>The religious breakdown is</strong>: Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Weather
Pennsylvania Weather: All the Facts, None of the Stats
Is it going to thunder, sleet, or maybe something worse? The summers are Hershey bar melty and humid, while the winters have lake effect snow plus icy commutes. Here's what else is going on around Pennsylvania that will impact the time you spend outside.
- Summer temps be like: Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
- Winter lows are: choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
- The humidity makes me: regret cotton and all choices especially in July and August when the air is basically soup.
- Unique weather patterns: nor'easters, Lake Erie lake effect, valley fog that swallows skylines, Appalachian cold air damming, and sudden boomers out of nowhere marching the Turnpike.
- Local weather fashion tip: waterproof boots with office attire
- Bugs be like: spotted lanternflies doing parkour on patios, ticks in every fern, stink bugs plotting on window screens, river mosquitoes at dusk
- You're stuck indoors again today because: freezing rain turned your street into a skating rink and PennDOT's still three towns away.
- Green thumb enthusiasts love: tomatoes that taste like July, sweet corn bragging rights, peonies the size of cabbages, rhododendrons in shade, black raspberries on every fence, deer proof experiments that almost work. Spoiler alert—nothing is actually deet proof.
- Your friend with allergies is always saying: ragweed and maple are ruining my entire face and my car is coated in yellow.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Pennsylvania
Winter: The smell of snow on the air. Warm cozy fires. Christkindle Markets.
Spring: Blooming daffodils and tulips. Hiking through the waking woods. Rainy days, reading inside.
Summer: Farmer's markets, outdoor music, small town art shows, festivals every weekend.
Fall: Gorgeous foliage, coffeehouse tours, Halloween parades
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local Expert