Moving from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania next year, hope it's an alright place

Submitted by SnooJokes6665 t3_yq5mbg in Pennsylvania

Title says a good portion of it. Moving to about an hour or so east of Pittsburgh sometime in late February/early March for work. Previously lived in Arkansas until the small town basically drove me out. (I'm gay) Hoping nothing like that is gonna happen, more wondering on sights and things to do with nature, as I am an absolute nerd for photography, and maybe anything in specific that I should know about living in Pennsylvania? Thanks for any responses or advice!

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cutiecat565 t1_ivmtmwi wrote

Ooof. Not a great area to be gay. I'd live as close to Pittsburgh as your commute will allow. Anything outside of the city is going to be deep red and rural.

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SnooJokes6665 OP t1_ivn57u5 wrote

Thanks for the heads up, the farthest out is basically an hour, places that are closer are still definitely being considered

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ODD_Podcast t1_ivptham wrote

I currently live in an old town called Natrona Heights. In the same county as Pittsburgh and only about 30 minutes from the city itself. Might be up your alley if you're looking to move near here. The county is called Allegheny county and any town in it is usually pretty ok \ blue. As the other people have said though, most of PA is rural and deep red sadly.

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VidGamrJ t1_ivozuxu wrote

Who exactly do you think lives outside the city in the big bad rural red? My neighbors are gay, a gay couple owned a vape shop in town a few years back. There’s gay people out here. It’s cool. You city people act like it’s the Wild West out here or something.

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cutiecat565 t1_ivp0bt3 wrote

My best friend is a gay teacher and everything was awful for him in the rural areas. The dating scene was horrendous because everyone wanted to keep it 'secret' because it would uset their families and he was treated poorly by conservative coworkers. And I'm not a city person. I live in NEPA. I know it's the wild west because I live in the red. Lol

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FarYard7039 t1_ivn6md6 wrote

Greensburg is about 30min outside the city. Indiana is about 1hr east of the city. While state college is the true center of the state (1hr east of Johnstown) this area is premium for nature. You have the foothills of the Appalachia mountains at your beck & call. If you love camping, streams, rivers and hiking this is the place to live.

As for being gay, that’s your choice. Pretty much a conservative oasis; keep your sexuality to yourself and no one will bother you. If you make your sexuality a public topic expect others to repel or challenge your views. No one will make it a problem if you and your SO are out and about being respectful of their families. Likewise, if a hetero couple were making out at a Sheetz gas station parking lot people will sneer, et al. If you hunt or fish you will be just another one of the guys. Good luck on the relocation. Best of luck.

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ornery-fizz t1_ivmqbx1 wrote

My friend, you're moving to what they call pennsyltucky. Central PA is nothing like the cities, but it's perfectly fine for those that want it. Just be aware. With your former states of residency, I'm sure you will be. Welcome! Check out the dcnr for nature stuff. We're spoiled.

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Icy-Range-5511 t1_ivmrlb7 wrote

Isn't the Harrisburg area more Central PA? I wouldn't consider that area Pennsyltucky. But an hour outside of Pittsburgh would be Western PA and that definitely would be Pennsyltucky as hell.

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JagarHardfart t1_ivn7sfm wrote

Just look at the current voting maps and you can definitely tell which areas are pennsyltucky

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[deleted] t1_ivmvc58 wrote

Would you consider an hour outside of Harrisburg pennsyltucky.

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Laeif t1_ivn5rs5 wrote

Anywhere you see confederate flags is Pennsyltucky.

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artificialavocado t1_ivnh78f wrote

I live about an hour north and I wouldn’t say we are Pennsyltucky here but pretty damn close. Right on the edge.

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SnooJokes6665 OP t1_ivmvojr wrote

I guess the easiest way to ask this is how bad are we talking Kentucky terms? Because when I mean ran/drove out of Arkansas I quite literally mean getting out or getting ran over by their lifted pickup trucks 😅. If it helps to be any more specific, offers right now are delmont/Greensburg area, and will be more or less in the city for work

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cpr4life8 t1_ivmw2zf wrote

Pretty much the same, but with a different accent

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cutiecat565 t1_ivn2mxi wrote

You might see more confederate flags in PA than you did in Arkansas.

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SnooJokes6665 OP t1_ivn2xh2 wrote

If all houses have more than 5 windows, each with at least one confederate flag, a porch with the flag, and at least three on each pickup truck I see. Then you are correct.

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Patari2600 t1_ivopbse wrote

It won't be that bad. While there are more confederate flags than there should be, I think I've only seen a house with more than 1 flag like once or twice. Despite what people on this sub say, there is not nearly as many confederate flags as there are in the south. I am pretty convinced most people here have never been to a rural southern area.

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ace115630 t1_ivn2kku wrote

Just be aware that you need to file an additional local earned income tax return in your county. That caught me off guard when I moved here and suddenly got a letter saying I didn’t file tax returns. Every state I’ve lived in includes local taxes in the state tax return. Suddenly there’s an additional one that literally nobody will inform you of unless you’re paying someone to handle your taxes.

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SnooJokes6665 OP t1_ivp2u45 wrote

Very weird choice for the state to do. Thanks for the info!

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ace115630 t1_ivp3k6i wrote

Sure thing! One more thing that caught me off guard. PA is one of the few states that tax 401k contributions regardless of the type of 401k. So be sure that you include 401k contributions in your state taxable income.

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cpr4life8 t1_ivmqq6g wrote

I lived most of my life in WI. Moved to FL and after 5 years I moved to Pittsburgh. My opinion is there's not a lot east of PGH so you might enjoy the nature, but that's about it.

I think you'll enjoy the much milder winters though. I don't even own a winter jacket...a light fleece and a light vest is all I wear.

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SnooJokes6665 OP t1_ivmvrah wrote

Whatever shall I do with my overstock of snow tires and winter jackets

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cpr4life8 t1_ivmvwyw wrote

Haha tires could come in handy because it's very hilly here and the roads get slick. Winter jackets could be donated because native Pennsylvanians will wear them 😆

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artificialavocado t1_ivnh1c6 wrote

I don’t the smaller communities would be as bad as some people are making them out to be however I’m not gay so I really don’t know firsthand. I would bet though that on average smalltown PA would be WAY better than random smalltown Arkansas. Like in that regard I don’t even think they would be close.

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AtlJayhawk t1_ivn2trf wrote

An hour east of Pittsburgh. Like Johnstown? I visited Johnstown last NYE and it was alright. I liked Somerset and Indiana(the town) a little better. You shouldn't have too much issue being gay there(my SO and I are queer).

Curious, where in AR were you? I come from NE Arkansas. Definitely not gay friendly! In Memphis now, but looking to make the move to Carlisle PA next year.

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SnooJokes6665 OP t1_ivn3w0b wrote

Had grown up in mountain home, moved with family to hasty Arkansas, if I recall the name. Worked online and on a farm, but parents would make me go to a bible camp almost every other weekend to get the gay outta me, didn't help that it was quite literally next door. Got the hell outta there quick. (Also have looked at Indiana (the town) it is an option seems quiet enough

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AtlJayhawk t1_ivn4tcr wrote

It's a shame how bad Arkansas is. Especially Harrison. I can't believe they still have sundown towns.

If you're in Johnstown, definitely check out The Fish Boat, Balance Restaurant, Stone Bridge Brewery, Flood Museum, and go to a Tomahawks hockey game!

I saw several same-sex couples in Johnstown walking hand in hand. It seemed like a pretty inclusive place.

Somerset was just adorable. 100% would live there.

The Flight 93 Memorial is a must see.

Indiana is a little college town. I spent time at Levity Brewery and had a blast getting to know locals of all ages. Food was damn good too!

Good luck. We love traveling to and through PA so much we've made the decision to move there. But to the adorable college town of Carlisle. It checked all the boxes.

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olive_ate_my_pimento t1_ivn3nx7 wrote

If you love nature and photography, check out Ohiopyle. Beautiful!

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RHudak979 t1_ivn4xyo wrote

I’m an hour east of Pittsburgh and it’s not that bad of an area, where are you looking at moving to?

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IwriteIread t1_ivnkd53 wrote

>more wondering on sights and things to do with nature, as I am an absolute nerd for photography

If you're into stargazing, Cherry Springs State Park would be worth checking out. It's an international dark sky park. It is a few hours drive, but nothing too crazy.

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SnooJokes6665 OP t1_ivp2eel wrote

I looked at it and I don't care that it's a few hours away, the closest park where I live that allows stargazing (in other words doesn't close at 8) is almost 5 to 6 hours away. I'd drive 2 to 3 in a heartbeat, cause yes, telescoping nerd goes along with photography nerd. Thanks you for the info!

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GraffitiTavern t1_ivnwfrt wrote

Check out the Frank Lloyd Wright houses, southwest PA and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perfect for photography.

(As for being gay, I'm bi and from a rural part of the state. You could hear homophobia, but there are spots to hang out, like a local coffee shop, etc. a lot of the just ignorant rednecks have casual homophobia but you could get through to them if they know you)

WV actually has the highest rate of trans youth in the country, a lot of queer folk in Appalachia who just don't get much attention or support, but you won't be alone

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Baguette_Theory t1_ivndn47 wrote

As long as being gas isn't your entire personability everyone no matter the political affiliation will like you. keep in mind "nice" here is rude in other places

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VstromPa1973 t1_ivo3vck wrote

Welcome, I’m more on the east side outside Philadelphia, but I have lived in PA my entire life. James Carville was accurate when he described Pennsylvania as Pittsburg in the west and Philadelphia in the east with Alabama in between. So yeah there are right wing knuckleheads who storm school board meetings to complain about the homosexual books in the library put there by satan. But there are plenty of moderates and liberal as well. As for your love of nature we have a great deal to see and do from nearly 300 miles of the Appalachian trail to state forests.

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alinerie t1_ivo4ooo wrote

James Carville summed it up pretty well, (paraphrasing) Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and Alabama in between. Erie is bluish but 5 minutes over the city line the "Don't blame me I voted for Trump" signs dot the yards.

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Patari2600 t1_ivop32c wrote

If you like nature, the area east of Pittsburgh will be perfect. Depending on where you are living you will be in or near the Laurel Mountain highlands, and the PA wilds, both are beautiful and have excellent hiking. If you like more extreme sports there is even pretty good white water rafting and decent rock climbing down by the WV and Maryland border. On the topic of bordering states WV that state is an underrated gem, and in my opinion the prettiest state on the east coast.

As for homophobia, while it is not nearly as bad as people in the cities make it out to be, it will likely be less welcoming than the major cities. I am straight, but I have a gay friend who moved to a rural part of the region from NYC. He never spoke of any homophobia, but did say that the lack of other gays, and the extremely limited dating options, made living there lonely at times. He ended up moving to Austin Texas about 3 years later, he cited the lack of LGBTQ community and poor dating options.

That being said I do think it depends on where you move, if you are close to Pittsburgh you will have to drive more to nature, but will likely have a more robust LGBTQ community. Also one of the highest rated thigs to do in Johnstown is its gay bar so there must be a decent sized community around there.

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This-Inspection-9515 t1_ivr9ppr wrote

You'll be in the Laurel Highlands, which are great for outdoor adventures!

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Snoi7 t1_ivmuvpe wrote

A little further than an hour away, but check out Johnstown and Ligonier

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Karl_Wayfarer t1_ivne0lw wrote

Don't do it. You'll be accepted for being gay, but otherwise this is a miserable place to live. I can't put it any other way, just stay out of this dump. I need out.

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