next »

[amy3js]

Ok, I hope this isn't a topic here that I have missed. (sorry if it is HB!  ). I want to know about Pennsylvania! Hubby has thought about moving us there, but I don't know too much about it. What are the housing prices, min wage, job market, weather, rules on homeschooling, anything and everything you can tell me. He is thinking about the hershey/grantsville (I think) area. Thanks! 

[DawnsEarlyBirds]

I grew up just east of Hershey.  I would say it is a nice area to live, but very populated.  After living in Maine and NH for over half my life, I would have a hard time moving back there.  But when we visit, it is pleasant, the people are great.  Food is heavy and sugary.  As I recall, food prices are less then here in New England.  My aunt who lives there can garden almost year round.  I often talk to her in Jan. or Feb. and she is picking spinach, or starting to plant.  Lots of good Bible teaching churches.  That's all I can add.

[amy3js]

Thanks for that! We did recently hear that they are harder on homeschoolers there, so not sure if its still something to look into. As long as we are choosing where to move, we want to go somewhere homeschool friendly.

[Amaya]

If you are looking for somewhere homeschool-friendly, do NOT consider PA!  PA is one of the strictest homeschool states in the nation, and there are many times I wish we lived elsewhere.  Many of my older, more experienced homeschool friends often moan about it.  This year my son will be in 3rd grade and we have to file a notice plus objectives for the year by Aug.1.  THEN I have to buy the achievement test, pay someone to give it to him, and submit that and a porfolio of his work at the end of the year for a certified teacher to review (who I also have to pay).  They tell you what you have to teach and in what grade, but there is flexibility in there, esp. in the elementary grades.
We live in SE PA and it's very pretty, but the 5 million people are everywhere.  Houses start at $200,000 - for a small shack, I mean starter home.  You'll pay more like 300-400 for what most people want.  And little to no acreage.  Taxes are expensive.  It's crazy around here.  Everyone is always in a rush to get somewhere, and my husband says they are not friendly (he's not from here). 
Nonetheless there are many great churches and many wonderful christians, Mennonites, Amish are close, and many people are happy living here in the rat race. 
Not us!  Go west, I say!  We want to!

[coffeemom]

i don't know about PA, but we live in south central michigan, almost to the ohio line.
there are a great many Amish and homes,land are rock bottom, taxes too. there are no requirements for homeschooling if you do it for "religious" reasons, which can be anything. no tests, no monitor, no nothing. so there are alot of them here but i've had trouble finding a group with kids my one child at homes age.
there is a 3 bed/1 bath for sale by owner just down the road, about 1/2 acre or more, with garage, needs TLC but on a dirt road adjacent to a paved road, for 30K or best offer. i expect to see many more like this. work is a tad slow and many have moved, which on the upside frees up more jobs. most people are friendly and warm and i am aways happy to get back to the county if we have to go anywhere.

Members

• Total Members: 6601
• Latest: rosco1733

Stats

• Total Posts: 242174
• Total Topics: 21725
• Online Today: 9
• Online Ever: 437
• (April 01, 2008, 03:09:36 PM)

Users Online

• Users: 0
• Guests: 6
• Total: 6