MAIN Home Life House & Home Moving Pennsylvania

With its central location along the Mid-Atlantic, the Keystone State has been almost from its colonial beginnings a manufacturing center, later becoming an industrial powerhouse in the 19th century.

Today, Pennsylvania is home to almost 50 of the nation's largest Fortune 500 companies among them PPG Industries, U.S. Steel, Alcoa,, H.J Heinz and candy maker Hershey. Its two largest cities - Philadelphia and Pittsburgh - act as the state's two economic centers.

Pittsburgh, in fact, continues as an economic success story after recovering from the collapse of the steel industry in the 1970's, Today, the Pittsburgh metro area is a hotbed of innovation and home to more than 1,500 hi-tech companies.

Tourism is also a major industry. Away from the two major urban areas, Pennsylvania offers family fun at Hershey Park, Pennsylvania ski resorts, Pocono Mountain scenery, along with rural charm in Lancaster, home to the largest Amish population in the country.

Cost of Living: Sperling's Best Places - Pennsylvania - Compared to the rest of the country, Pennsylvania's cost of living is 10.55% lower than the U.S. average.

Property Taxes : Pennsylvania Tax Climate - Pennsylvania ranks 24th highest nationally in property taxes with collections totaling $1,010 per capita.

Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Pennsylvania Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 71.3%
Average home price : $165,300
Average travel time to work : 25.2 minutes.

Personal Income Taxes: Pennsylvania has a flat tax rate of 3.07 percent on individual income, with no personal exemptions. Residents are required to file state taxes using Form PA-40 each year by April 15

Schools : Pennsylvania ranks among the top 10 states for reading and math scores from grades 1-8. Also see Pennsylvania Department of Education

Weather :While summer temperatures are uniformly warm throughout Pennsylvania, low lying areas and those nearer the Atlantic coast are milder in winter compared to the state's colder and snowier mountain regions.

Crime : see Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System

also see -> PA taxes | PA eviction laws | Pennsylvania tourism

PA shopping outlets | PA Lakes & Beaches | PA fall foliage

Pennsylvania wine tours | Christmas in Pennsylvania

PA kids party locations

More about relocating to Pennsylvania around the Web:

Live in Pennsylvania - Resident and newcomers guide with links to information on vital stats & demographic data, schools, health care, shopping, driving maps, senior citizen resources, tourism and major attractions.

Moving to Philadelphia - Berkeley Parents Network message board posts with tips & advice on family-friendly neighborhoods, schools, real estate costs and home buying.

Relocation - Moving to Pittsburgh - About.com guide to Pittsburgh relocation with helpful information on neighborhoods, real estate, and local area public & private schools.

Pennsylvania real estate, apartments & job classifieds:

Philadelphia : Inquirer
Philadelphia : phillyBurbs.com
Pittsburgh : Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh : Tribune-Review