Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Pennsylvania
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Moving to a new state can be intimidating, as it takes time to settle into a new routine and find your place in an unfamiliar community. To give you a head start on your transition to the Keystone State (yes, we know you’re ready to move here!), we spoke with two locals who share advice on things you need to know before moving to Pennsylvania.
Meet Joel Cliff and Janet Pollard. Cliff moved to Pennsylvania from the D.C. metro area in 2005 and now serves as director of communications and advocacy for Discover Lancaster, while Pollard was born and raised in Pennsylvania and now works in Chambersburg as executive director of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.
How should relocatees get involved in their community?
Cliff: I’m in a very active and collaborative community here in Lancaster County. There’re lots of different clubs and organizations, whether it’s in business, sports, faith-based communities or public service. In addition, if you’re interested in the environment, we have wonderful organizations that help preserve what makes this area so beautiful and attractive to people.
Pollard: I would go to the local visitor’s bureau, chamber of commerce or main street program because that’s where you’re going to connect with the real flavor of the community. I would also check out the local libraries. I’ve lived in several places across the state, and I’ve always found that I could go to the library to get a sense of local values.
What are your favorite outdoor spaces to explore in the state?
Cliff: Here in Lancaster County, Susquehanna State Park offers wonderful recreation, particularly in terms of watersports, rock climbing, hiking and biking trails. I was just there last weekend! I also recommend a visit to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Ronks. It’s open from May to November, and it’s a great agritourism venue for families. They have one of the best corn mazes in the nation.
Pollard: I’m partial to Caledonia State Park in Adams and Franklin counties. It’s beautiful in every season, and you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to visit. You get to see the beauty of the water and the trees that creep along the creek, and in the fall, it’s fabulous to see all the different colors – the crimson and gold. I can even go when the snow’s falling, and it’s just so peaceful.
What daytrips do you like to take within the state?
Cliff: I’m biased as a graduate of Penn State, but I love to get up to State College, whether it’s for a football game or other activities. Their food and drink scene has really expanded over the years. It’s what you think of when you picture the typical college town.
From a historian standpoint, I love visiting Gettysburg. They’ve done such a good job at preserving the battlefields and bringing them back to the way they were in 1863.
Pollard: As someone who grew up in the area, it’s always fun to go to Hershey. You can go to the rose gardens, Hershey Park or The Hershey Pantry, a cute little restaurant on the outside of Hershey. You get a real flavor for small-town America because even though Hershey’s known all over the place, it’s still a small town.
What advice would you give people thinking about moving to Pennsylvania about avoiding traffic/rush hours?
Pollard: If you can, learn a back way home. It’s a great way to detox after a day and appreciate the scenery. When you have all this beautiful landscape, it’s worth looking for the back roads rather than taking the main thoroughfare.
What’s your go-to spot to grab coffee or tea in your area?
Cliff: Square One Coffee Roasters in Lancaster or Slate Cafe in Lititz.
Pollard: Brussel’s Café, Denim Coffee or Omega Coffee in Chambersburg.
For those interested in moving to Pennsylvania, what do you love most about living there?
Cliff: There’s a mix of tradition and energy here. There’re smaller towns with really vibrant food and art scenes and gorgeous farming landscapes, but for more activity and nightlife, you have cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. There’s so much geographic variety available, whether it’s rural landscapes, mountains or major metros. A lot of folks find it pleasantly surprising to discover who the state is, what it does and what it aspires to be.
Pollard: I love the outdoor spaces and the state park system available in Pennsylvania. It is such an incredible boon to being a resident. You can visit state parks. They don’t have fees, and they are some of the most beautiful, scenic spots that preserve Pennsylvania’s outdoor character. We have cities, but between those cities is enough open space to keep you connected with nature and connected with the history that evolved our area to the place that it is today. The old tagline, “You’ve got a friend in Pennsylvania” – that still rings true.