Carmichaels, PA

[WS6]

Anyone live in this area of the country? Just curious to know what it's like. Is it country out away from everything? What's there to do when not working? How close would I be to good riding areas with turns and elevation changes? I'm really getting tired of Kansas, and while I'd love to go back to Colorado, it may be easier/better for me to go to PA. I'm just not sure what it's like. Any feedback from people who are near there would be appreciated. Especially motorcycle riding info.

Thanks

[AdmiralKit]

I'll qualify this with a big "I've never lived in PA," but I've at least got some passing knowledge of the area that might provide some feedback for you.

Carmichaels will definitely be at least in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, though not really in the mountains themselves. This will give you easy access to some nice twisty roads with some elevation changes right outside your town. A few hours ride (like, two due east or a couple more going south) will put you in the mountains themselves, but it's important to keep in mind the Appalachians aren't the same as the Rockies in terms of crazy terrain. You'll probably find the immediate terrain similar to southern and southeastern Ohio, western West Virginia, Kentucky, and Southern Indiana, amongst others.

You're definitely going to be rural. Pittsburgh will be your nearest major city, and it'll be just over hour away. You'll be pretty well in the center of the UPitt and UWVa collegiate rivalry, if that's your thing. You'll also be surrounded by Steelers fans, which I find unfortunate as a Browns fan. Pittsburgh also has the Pirates for baseball (typically a losing franchise for the past 20 years), and the Penguins in hockey.

I can't say with certainty about the area but pretty much expect that you'll find similar cultural attitudes on politics/religion, though maybe a bit less evangelical and I would guess slightly more Catholic than Kansas is known for being. You'll probably encounter a lot more German influences in the area, though given that we're the US it's not like you'll actually encounter people speaking German so much as beer and bratwurst will be more prevalently served as food and some old architecture in the area. You'll probably find that the local illegal drug of prominence is meth... nasty shit that wreaks havoc on people and the communities they're in, but it's cheap and easy to make in the rural area around there.

Immediate entertainment - motocycle riding, nature activities such as hiking and camping, local bars, etc. You're not going to get a big urban social scene with lots of diverse activities going on there, but it may very well be an upgrade from your part of Kansas.

Hope this helps... like I said, this is a lot of extrapolation from what I know of the region and having grown up in Ohio and been to Pittsburgh several times. I've only ever passed through Kansas twice, so it's hard for me to compare for you.

[WS6]

Thanks Admiral. I appreciate the feedback. SW Kansas where I am at really is flat and small. It's closer to the Rockies than when I lived in Georgia though but not close enough for my tastes.

[DesmoAddict]

I don't live in SW PA but do live in NE PA. Coincidentally, I also lived in Kansas about 8 years ago so I may be able provide some perspective.

Farthest SW in Kansas I've been is Wichita, KS which is basically not very west I would suppose. I lived in Manhattan and was nice - prairie and all that. I winter tended to be wicked cold and icy with wind blasting across the plains. Summers ridiculously hot. I liked Manhattan but I also enjoy a some what city vibe with lots to do. Manhattan had a lot to do and was a great place to live. I loved it.

Okay to PA, mind you NEPA but in general I've been to the 4 corners of the state and most of it seems similar. Beautiful mountains, winding roads - especially the rural areas. I love the riding in this state - even the freeways are pretty. There is a vibe to PA that I've always found - it feels old with bridges and things that seem to date back hundreds of years with old stone fences in places and old bridges, etc. (start of the country and all that) - probably more east but its there. I grew up in Detroit and that vibe was new to me and I love it. The area you mentioned is definitely more rural, but SW Kansas is also so probably a good transition there. I would say summers are probably a bit more temperate (at least if you're in the more mountainous areas). I think you do get a more distinct 4 seasons than Kansas mainly because of the trees and such - feels like a distinct fall and we tend to get snow storms from time to time. Looking at the map, you'd actually pretty close to WV (morgantown), and the area down that way is definitely mountainous (not colorado but definitely hilly!). Cost of living is going to be really good and you're within driving distance (4 hrs) to Washington DC and Baltimore so you do have outlets to some amazing places with nothing short of things to see and do) for weekend trips. I liked my time in Kansas, but I love NEPA - hope to never move (EVER!).

Hit me up PM if you got specific questions or concerns - as i said, I'm not familiar with the specific areas all that well but having lived in the ballpark of both, I may be able to help with some opinions of which I am never short on.

[WS6]

Thanks! Sorry it took me so long to respond to your reply. I appreciate the information about the area.