Moving to Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s oldest city, founded by William Penn. Penn, a pacifist, wanted to create a refuge for persecuted European immigrants, and he named the city after this vision. Philadelphia comes from the Greek roots  phileo, meaning love, and adelphos, meaning brother – Brotherly Love. Today, Philadelphia’s diverse religious groups an be traced back to its founding.

Philly is also home to an enthusiastic sports fan base that welcomes any newcomers, and is just as rabid about its arts and culture. The two come together at the Philadelphia Art Museum, famously featured in the film Rocky. Take a run up those iconic steps and know that Penn’s vision is still intact.

While the setting for The Office propelled the sixth largest Pennsylvanian city into the spotlight, Scranton has been known as the Electric City for quite a bit longer than the famous show. Scranton proudly calls itself the Electric City because it was one of the first in the U.S. to successfully incorporate electricity into its framework, from lightbulbs to streetcars. Today, tourists can visit Scranton to take hikes around its history and learn more about The Office’s many references to it.

Pittsburgh’s strategic placement on three rivers, the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela, made it a hub for trading. The city’s economy boomed – and continued to do so even as it evolved through the industrial revolution, when steel mills, largely headed up by magnate Andrew Carnegie, took over.

Today, even though Pittsburgh’s economy focuses more on healthcare and technology, many residents still emulate the city’s blue-collar determination to get the job done. 

The Keystone State is blessed with not one, but two major sports cities that often rival each other. To the west lies the Steel City of Pittsburgh, home to the Pirates, the Penguins and, of course, the Steelers. To the east lies Philadelphia, home to the Eagles, the Flyers and another on-the-nose team, the Phillies. No matter where you come from, fans will open their arms wide and welcome you into the fold. Cheer with them whether the Steelers get another touchdown or the Phillies score another homerun.

Cricks, what Pennsylvanians call creeks, are nestled deep within the hills of Appalachia. The mountain range covers a whopping 52 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania, making a Sunday drive a challenge – but worth the sights. And true to Pennsylvanian kindness, many small towns in the mountains make a living by providing hikers and tourists with food, shelter and attractions for a perfect weekend getaway. When you’re on the west side of the state, stop by the Allegheny National Forest, home to a flourishing grove of colors in the fall. Lastly, there are plenty of creeks to enjoy that branch from Pennsylvania’s six Appalachian rivers.

Every big city takes pride in their food, and Pennsylvanian cities are no exception. You’ve likely heard of the Philly cheesesteak. Born in 1930 from hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri after putting slices of his steak lunch on a roll, the sandwich has become a staple for many Philadelphians, both in the city and away from home. Today, thousands of sandwich shops all over the country offer the famous Philly cheesesteak, piled high with cheddar cheese, onions and peppers.

But Pittsburgh has its own claim to fame: the Primanti sandwich. Joseph Primanti made a living selling beef sandwiches to truckers. Wondering what to do with a batch of leftover potatoes, Primanti decided to fry them up and put them on his sandwiches, changing Pittsburgh’s taste buds forever. While the cheesesteak remains the more popular sandwich, Pittsburgh argues that Primanti sandwiches are more unique, making them true to the city and not just another common meal. We recommend trying both.