You can expect to pay around $1,229 for rent here. With a population of 40,669, State College is a smaller city. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
2 Replies
Grayson Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 52, moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Fairview and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
20 upvotes
tucson_olivia
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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