I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to live all over the United States, thanks to my husband’s previous job.
Over the years, his work allowed us to move somewhat regularly, and we spent time living in different states, like Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Maryland.
There were things we enjoyed about each place, but we had just one in mind when my husband changed careers and we could really settle down: Pennsylvania.
Here’s why we’ve chosen to call its southeastern suburbs our forever home.
The Mid-Atlantic region’s four-season weather works for us
We’ve experienced a few different climates — and the Mid-Atlantic region’s may just be my favorite.
I loved the warmth of Louisiana, but the summers get a bit too hot and humid. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had less tolerance for all of the heat.
Though Massachusetts has weather that changes with the seasons, those New England winters can be especially brutal and cold.
In southeastern Pennsylvania, though, I can get a taste of all four seasons at a milder rate.
We get to enjoy the occasional snowfall in the winter, blooming flowers in the spring, and colorful foliage in the fall. Plus, we can still look forward to wearing tank tops and flip-flops in the heat of the summer.
I’ve got mountains, farmlands, beaches, and big cities within a fairly short driving distance
The scenery throughout the Mid-Atlantic region is wonderfully eclectic and varied. It makes for some incredible views and gives me a lot of options for activities.
If I want to enjoy skiing or fishing in the mountains, I drive less than two hours north to the Poconos. When it’s warmer, I spend quite a bit of time on beaches at the Jersey Shore, just an easy two-hour drive from my home.
If I add an hour or two to my commute, I can visit several other beach towns along the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware or Maryland (some of Pennsylvania’s other border states).
In about an hour, I can be in a big city like Philadelphia for a sporting event or concert. Even New York City is only about two hours from my house.
My husband and I can drive or take the train up for the day if we want to enjoy Broadway shows, visit famous museums, or try just about any cuisine we could imagine.
Pennsylvania is also home to many farms, especially in our Bucks County area outside Philadelphia.
This means I can regularly visit farmers markets for seasonal produce and locally produced offerings, from freshly baked bread to homemade pickles.
It’s a great way to support the farmers in our area. Plus, our town’s market is centrally located, so it’s easy for me to also grab a coffee and a bite to eat when I shop.
Speaking of our suburban town, it’s far from “sleepy.” There’s almost always some sort of outdoor concert, festival, gallery opening, or event happening here.
Plus, I have access to culinary options galore
Though there’s nothing quite like the seafood in New England or comfort food in the South, I can often find similar dishes in the Mid-Atlantic and much more.
Our town has dozens of eateries, from steakhouses and elevated farm-to-table spots to casual cafés and bakeries. We can easily grab Italian, Indian, Peruvian, Latin American, Korean, or Greek food (and that’s just naming a few options).
Of course, we also have our own regional specialities, like pretzels, cheesesteaks, and hoagies.
And, again, the beauty is that we have easy access to even more options. Philly is home to an array of diverse cuisines and highly acclaimed, award-winning eateries.
We could also head over to New York City to enjoy its dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants and spots serving just about any regional or international cuisine we could want.
With Maryland as our neighbor, we can even grab fresh crab and seafood boils if we’re willing to make a short drive.
All in all, settling down here has just felt right
I have a deep love for Pennsylvania. I was born and raised in the area, so it’s been wonderful to be back and closer to some family.
However, familiarity wasn’t the only draw, and it isn’t the only thing we love about living here. There’s so much to see, do, and experience in this beautiful state and just outside of it.
Our region grants us access to so many different types of communities and landscapes — a nice mix of cities, suburbs, mountain towns, and rural farms.
Though it’s been great getting to live in different parts of the US, the Keystone State has my heart. I don’t regret calling this piece of the Mid-Atlantic our forever home.
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