Each year, organizations like Kiplinger and CNN rank the best cities to live, to buy a home and work. This year, Pennsylvania cities are hitting in the ranking of the best places to buy a house in a number of different forums. Three Pennsylvania cities rank in the top 10 and top 30 several places to buy a house, and five cities in Pennsylvania made the 2008 Kiplinger Top 50 Places in America to buy a list of Interior. Where are the best places to buy a house in Pennsylvania? The answers may surprise you.
Harrisburg-Carlisle
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's capital, ranked third in Best Bargain Market MSN Real Estate. Carlisle Harrisburg area has much to recommend to potential buyers. An hour and a half west of Philadelphia, Harrisburg is a quiet town with a growing economy that is shifting from manufacturing to life sciences and biotechnology, logistics and support services. New businesses are being withdrawn from the young professionals who enjoy the comforts of the city and feeling comfortable, but historic.
The city is small, with a population of 50,000, but the metropolitan area has a population of more than ten times that, making it the fourth most populous metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. Prices are now stable, and there are museums, sports and many other entertainment venues.
The major drawbacks: public transport and half an hour drive to the nearest large city.
Pittsburgh
Once seen as a heavy steel town, Pittsburgh has become a very convenient place for young families, professionals and retirees. It offers affordable housing in a variety of neighborhoods, each offering a unique personality and identity. Pittsburgh is home to many large corporations as well as Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon universities. The combination of high technology, education and means of manufacturing employment situation is strong and growing.
In the area of entertainment and leisure, downtown Pittsburgh offers a diverse and dynamic city with great shopping and nightlife along the river. " Pittsburgh is known for its fan base in sports, hockey, baseball and football.
The major disadvantages: time rates as one of the least attractive aspects of Pittsburg, and eg local, may not be the most exciting place for young singles to live.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a surprising amount of good things in its favor. Although most major northeastern cities have reached the top of the housing bubble, the value of housing in Philadelphia follow a slow but steady appreciation. At a cost of housing to income ratio of 31%, Philadelphia has a low cost of living compared to cities like Washington DC (53%) and the City of New York (72%). Employment growth is also slow and steady, which suggests a growing economy that bodes well for the long-term growth.
As Pittsburgh, Philadelphia has many neighborhoods with unique identities, so it is easy for most families find a home in a community that is right. The city has important historical attractions, museums and places of scientific excellence, art museums and a sound basis of sport. There is also an excellent public transport system.
The major disadvantages: Although the crime rate is declining, is still high in some sections of the metropolitan area.
State College
Sometimes known as Happy Valley, State College, Pennsylvania, entered the list of Kiplinger's 30 Smart Places to Live. In the 1980s, a survey by Psychology Today State College rated as less stressful place to live in the United States. Sperling State University has evaluated the safest small city to live, and Forbes State University are among the ten best places to start a new business. They are also the only number one of the city by CNN Money.
Being a university town, State College offers cultural, sporting and educational opportunities for families, singles and retirees. Housing prices are stable, and economic benefits greatly from the presence of Penn State University.
Lancaster, PA
With a population of just over 50,000, Lancaster is the largest city in Pennsylvania 8. The city has a cultural and historical heritage and is home to several small colleges, but well known. The cost of living in Lancaster is low compared to many other cities of its size and variety of architectural styles that makes the housing market varied and interesting.
Prices are stable and the economy takes equal parts of agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. Lancaster is home to one of the largest Amish settlement in the country. The city is accessible via Amtrak and the airport in Lancaster.
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