Top Five Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania In 2024

Pennsylvania is tucked away in the Northeastern United States. It is home to many different cities and towns, each with its own personality and attractions. The Keystone State has a lot of options for people who are looking for the right place to call home. It has everything from big cities to small towns and beautiful rural areas.

This piece will talk about some of the best places to live in Pennsylvania, focusing on things like quality of life, affordability, amenities, and opportunities for people. Pennsylvania has something for everyone, whether you like the cultural diversity of cities or the peace and quiet of the country.

1. Philadelphia

As the sixth-largest city in the United States, Philadelphia is a major business hub in the Northeast. It has many modern city amenities in addition to its historical and cultural sites. Abby Trimborn, co-founder of Philly Property Group, says that the city’s spot in the area is one of its best features.

New York City and Washington, D.C. are both less than two hours away from downtown Philadelphia. This means that people who live there can access two more big job markets while still living in a city with a much lower cost of living.

Trimborn also said that the number of people looking to buy homes in Philadelphia has dropped by 14%, which is good news for buyers. In this market, she went on to say, “We are currently positioned in ‘lower demand,'” which means it’s better for buyers.

She talked about the family-friendly Northern Liberties neighborhood, which has seen a lot of construction in the past few years, with more than 5,200 homes finished or under construction. Zillow says that the average home worth in the city is $215,593.

2. The Lancaster

The cost of living in Lancaster is about the same as the national rate. On the other hand, Zillow says that the typical home price is about $50,000 less, at $337,233. This is one reason Lancaster is a great place to retire. It was ranked third on U.S. News & World Report’s most recent list of the best places to retire in the United States, in part because it has great health care and cheap housing.

The area has both urban and rural areas, so people can choose between two different ways of life. Lancaster is in the middle of Amish country in Pennsylvania. Its thriving arts scene shows that it has a lot of different cultures living together.

3. East Kennett Square

Kennett Square is 40 miles west of Philadelphia. It shares a border with Delaware and is in Chester County, which is known for having great schools. People who live in Kennett Square enjoy many outdoor activities, such as miles of hiking and biking tracks.

The town is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World because it has so many mushroom farms and hosts the Mushroom Festival every year. Its many museums and historic sites also make it a popular place for tourists and locals to gather. This doesn’t mean, though, that people can only live in historic houses.

Paul Greenholt, a real estate agent with Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate, said, “New townhomes and apartments are popping up all over town. It’s easy to walk to local restaurants and pubs, parks, and exercise facilities.” The average price of a home in Kennett Square is now $566,196, which is 6% more than it was a year ago.

4. Lancaster, PA

There is a lot more to Harrisburg than just being the capital of Pennsylvania. The main city has a lot of history. The National Civil War Museum is there, and Gettysburg National Military Park is only an hour away.

The city is crossed by the Susquehanna River, and the Appalachian Trail is right next to it to the north. This means that people who live there can do many things, like climbing, water sports, and camping. Harrisburg was just ranked the 38th best place to live in the country and the best place to retire by U.S. News & World Report.

5. The Steel City

Steel City is what Pittsburgh is called because it helps the country’s steel industry, but the city’s arts scene is much better. It has 30 concert spaces and almost 40 museums, such as the Andy Warhol Museum and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. It also has the most direct arts investments in the country.

Pittsburgh is also a tech hub that attracts graduates in AI and robotics as well as highly educated people who want to move up in their jobs in healthcare, education, and finance.

Lastly, home prices have gone up, but they are still much lower than in other Northeast towns. According to Zillow, the median home value here is $222,433.

Last Words

Finally, Pennsylvania has a lot of different places to live, from the big city appeal of Philadelphia to the historic charm of Lancaster, the cultural energy of Kennett Square, the historical importance of Harrisburg, and the arts and technology hub of Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania is a great place to live and visit because each area has its own special opportunities and attractions.