Here Are The 8 Best Places To Live In Pennsylvania... And Why

If money is no object for you, then the Main Line is a great place to live. It includes the top school districts in the state- Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, Lower Merion School District, and Radnor Township School District, which come in at #'s 1, 2, and 5 respectively in Pennsylvania. It's also an extremely safe and beautiful area with an endless array of fun restaurants and activities. It is within close proximity to Philadelphia and offers easy public transportation into the city.

If safety and affordability are your priorities... You might want to look elsewhere. If, though, you have a somewhat flexible budget (you can find affordable places in the city depending on what you're looking for), and you aren't spooked easily, Philly is definitely a great place to be. With endless things to do-- museums, festivals, restaurants, nightlife, and more-- you'll never be without something to keep you busy. And your friends will definitely visit you, because who wouldn't want to spend some time in the biggest city in the state?

Pittsburgh is close behind Philadelphia as far as things to do goes. Arguably, Pittsburgh has an even wider range of activities. It's one of the top 10 safest cities in Pennsylvania, as well as one of the most affordable.

State College might not immediately come to mind as a great place to live, because it is most widely known as a college town. Despite the fact that Penn State students outnumber other residents here, it can be a wonderful place to live due to its safety and the fun activities that the area provides. Of course you probably know that some of the best ice cream in the country can be found here, at the Penn State Creamery. There are great schools, if you're going to raise a family here-- and the plethora of college students means that there's always fun events and activities taking place.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is best known as the site of the Bethlehem Steel Factory which has been out of business for years. However, at the site of the factory is Sands Casino and Steel Stacks, where live music performs all the time. Bethlehem is located right next to Allentown, which is the third largest city in Pennsylvania-- except that Bethlehem is just a bit safer, nicer, and more fun. (No insult meant to Allentown-- I grew up there so you can bet I love it.) Bethlehem is a decent-sized town-- not too big, and not too small, and it's home to a bunch of activities that are fun for both adults and children alike.

Plum is a rural township located within proximity to Pittsburgh, so you can go into the city anytime you want to get a taste of urban life. The school district is great, and many exalt Plum as a safe and affordable place to raise their children. With myriad restaurants to choose from and fun events on the holidays, it might be hard to turn this place down.

Here we have another winner located in the Lehigh Valley. Emmaus is a small community located next to South Mountain. A number of quaint shops and restaurants make their home along Main St. in Emmaus, along with historic buildings such as the above pictured movie theater. This is the perfect town for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, beautiful surroundings, and friendly people. The local high school, Emmaus High School, offers great education and extracurricular activities and sports if you have a high schooler in your family. Also, you might not have known that the real-life family that inspired Marley & Me lives in Emmaus!

Elizabethtown, commonly referred to as E-town, is a small community located in South-central PA that offers an easy commute to Harrisburg or Lancaster, and a manageable commute to Philadelphia. It's both affordable and safe, and perfect for raising families. Though E-town is a college town, many of the residents have children. This quiet, sleepy town may be perfect for the resident who wants a peaceful living experience.