Welcome to Pennsylvania

Your life in the Keystone State begins

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Welcome to Pennsylvania

Known as the Keystone State, Pennsylvania is home to more than 12.8 million people. Bordered by New York, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio, the state is if filled with flat plains and narrow valleys cut by streams and rolling hills, caves, and low ridges created by glaciers. It's also home to part of the Appalachian Mountains and half of the state is engulfed in lush forests and millions of acres of farmland. Plenty of wildlife species call Pennsylvania home, including red foxes, black bears, white-tailed deer, golden eagles, softshell turtles, peregrine falcons, and rattlesnakes.

Several large corporations, such as Auntie Anne's, Hershey's, Utz, Comcast, Rite Aid, Kraft Heinz, and The Crayola Factory, Dick's Sporting Goods are headquartered in Pennsylvania. The state is home to a variety of companies, such as meat-packing plants, potato chip production factories, healthcare corporations, technology companies, and retail stores. Some of its major attractions include Independence National Park, the Liberty Bell, Hershey Park, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Presque Isle State Park. It's also got casinos, bowling alleys, racetracks, escape rooms, magic shows, theaters, sports complexes, mini-golf, playgrounds, and more. So if you're considering moving to Pennsylvania, this guide can help you make the decision and start planning properly.

Pennsylvania Self-Storage Facts

Like other states across the nation, Pennsylvania has seen a significant uptick in self-storage development activity over the last few years. Developers eased off of building new facilities in the wake of the last recession. That led to the existing supply of storage to become mostly occupied and prices for units rose for consumers. Thanks to a recent building boom, there is more storage space available and average rates have started to come down gradually.

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Pennsylvania:

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Pennsylvania:

1,583

Pennsylvania is home to an estimated 1,583 self-storage facilities.

44,495,071

Pennsylvania self-storage facilities cover 44,495,071 square feet of storage space.

3.49

Pennsylvania storage facilities offer 3.49 square feet of storage per person, which is lower than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.

Reasons to Move to Pennsylvania

If you're thinking of making the move to Pennsylvania, but you haven't exactly made up your mind, the following are a few reasons you might want to consider it.

1

Philly cheesesteaks. You can't mention Pennsylvania without mentioning what the state is arguably most famous for: Philly cheesesteaks! If you're planning on moving to Philly, you can grab an authentic Philly cheesesteak from just about anywhere in the city.

2

Chocolate-lover's dream. If you've got a major sweet tooth and chocolate is the only cure, Pennsylvania might just be the place for you. Not only is Hershey Park located in Pennsylvania, but the Hershey's headquarters is located there, too, meaning you'll have plenty of chances to satisfy that sweet tooth.

3

Striking natural beauty. If you're a fan of the outdoors and all that it's got to offer, you'll love Pennsylvania's strikingly beautiful landscapes. It's a great state for hiking and biking and other outdoor activities when the weather permits.

4

Home of handmade pretzels. If you just can't get enough of those soft, buttered, salted, pretzels, you'll love Pennsylvania because they're known for their handmade pretzels. Auntie Anne's anyone?

5

The Liberty Bell. Pennsylvania is also home to the Liberty Bell, one of many national treasures found in the Keystone State. Living in PA, you'll be able to visit it almost anytime and take your out-of-town guests when they come to visit.

6

No traffic lights. That's right! If you live in Forest County or Perry County, you won't have to worry about sitting at a red light for what seems like an eternity. Apparently, there aren't any traffic lights in either county.

7

The changing seasons. Much like New York, moving to Pennsylvania will afford you the opportunity to experience the changing seasons. Autumn in Pennsylvania is a great chance to watch the leaves change colors and it's the ideal time for apple picking and outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

8

Great job market. Thanks to the many, many large corporations and Fortune 500 Companies maintaining their headquarters in the Keystone State, such as Comcast and Hershey, Pennsylvania has a booming job market.

9

Great sports teams. Pennsylvania has six major sports franchises, including the Philadelphia Eagles and six-time champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not to mention the NCAA champs, the Villanova Wildcats. Living in PA, you'll have a chance to see them play not too far from home.

10

Great for star gazing. Pennsylvania has some of the best skies for stargazing. Coudersport, PA ranked #1 for one of the best cities in the country for viewing meteor showers. Cherry Springs State Park is another great area for stargazing.

Moving to Pennsylvania

With a population of 12.8 million people, Pennsylvania is the fifth-largest state in the country. Filled with a vast array of landscapes, it's one of the most diverse states when it comes to topography, much like New York. However, as many as 300,000 people are leaving the northeast each year, many relocating for new jobs or a change of climate, while others are leaving in search of new or better housing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 55 percent of the state's 67 counties have been losing residents from year to year. However, from 2017 to 2018, the population increased by 0.13 percent for the state as a whole. Pennsylvania continues to grow in some areas while losing residents in others. The state's population is expected to surpass 13 million by 2020.

Pennsylvania Economic Outlook

Pennsylvania's major industries include electronics, pharmaceuticals, mining, and farming. With a high rate of Fortune 500 companies, the state has a strong job market. In 2018, the real GDP of Pennsylvania was $712 billion, similar to that of countries like Saudi Arabia, which has a GDP of $684 billion as of 2017. The unemployment rate is currently 3.9 percent as of July 2019 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Here's a breakdown of Pennsylvania's largest sectors by GDP of real value added.

$122.78 billion
Finance, insurance, real estate, renal, and leasing
$95 billion
Professional and business services
$84.97 billion
Educational services, health care, and social assistance
$83.93 billion
Manufacturing
$64.7 billion
Government and government enterprises

The economic outlook for Pennsylvania is promising because of its steady economy and 1.2 percent expected job growth. Pennsylvania is also projected to have a positive annual job growth rate and household income growth. While the overall cost of living in some areas is quite high throughout the state, there are plenty of cities that offer affordable living. Pennsylvania has a cost of living score of 88.7, which means the state is cheaper than the U.S. average.

Who are Pennsylvania's Largest Employers?

EMPLOYER
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
Aramark
217,250
Comcast
159,000
Keystone Foods
110,000
Ricoh
97,880
Genesis Healthcare
82,000

Places to live in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is roughly 45,888 square miles and runs 310 miles east to west and 180 miles north to south. The state has more than 50 natural lakes and about 2,500 man-made lakes. It has 45,000 miles of rivers and streams and tons to do outdoors, including target shooting, biking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, fishing, rock climbing, camping, and more.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the biggest city in Pennsylvania with a population of about 1.5 million people. As the sixth-largest city in the country, Pennsylvania boasts a mix of people and serves as a hub of culture and economy in the Delaware Valley, according to World Atlas. Philadelphia is a major tourist destination and gets millions of visitors each year.

Cost of living
17 percent higher than the national average
Median home price
$157,500
Average rent
$1,625 per month
Average apartment size
800 square feet

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is the second-most populous city in the state of Pennsylvania with more than 302,407 people calling it home. Located in the seat of Allegheny County and nicknamed the "Steel City," Pittsburgh is home to more than 300 steel-related businesses. Pittsburgh is a beautiful city and a center for education, healthcare, technology, financial services, and robotics.

Cost of living
1 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$146,600
Average rent
1,248 per month
Average apartment size
814 square feet

Allentown

Allentown, the third most populous city in the state of Pennsylvania, has more than 121,000 people living there. Located on the Lehigh River, Allentown is full of small-town charm due to its wide collection of historic homes and buildings, century-old industrial buildings, and commercial structures. The business district is full of restaurants, an art school, a museum, and a civic theater. Allentown also offers easy access to trails for skiers and hikers.

Cost of living
6 percent higher than the national average
Median home price
$137,100
Average rent
$1,121 per month
Average apartment size
855 square feet

Moving to Pennsylvania Resources

Top Pennsylvania Cities

All Pennsylvania Cities