Moving to Pennsylvania

When you think of Pennsylvania, you might think of America’s history, with historical sites like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. You might think of major sports teams, Rocky, and the City of Brotherly Love. 

The various sides of Pennsylvania make it attractive to many people – both tourists and people looking to call the Keystone state home.

In United Van Lines 45th Annual Movers Study, Pennsylvania experienced inbound traffic of 47% in 2021. 

If you’re planning on moving to the Keystone State, the moving experts at United Van Lines can help. Keep reading for helpful tips to make your move a success. 

Why Are People Moving to Pennsylvania?

United Van Lines conducts an Annual Movers Study, gathering data based on household moves of states with 250 moves or more. In 2021, 40.6% of movers came to Pennsylvania for family. 

Other reasons for moving to the state included jobs (34.1%), retirement (16%), lifestyle (11%), and health (5.2%).

The most popular age groups moving were 65+ (33%), 55-64 (21.5%), and 45-54 (14.3%). 

Exploring the City (and State) of Brotherly Love

According to our Movers Study, family was the number one reason people moved to Pennsylvania. It’s not much of a surprise that there are many things for families to see and explore together in the Keystone State.

Historic Things To See In Pennsylvania

The Keystone State is the second oldest State, admitted to the union in 1787. History lovers will love visiting Gettysburg, Valley Forge and Washington Crossing.

In Philadelphia, Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and offers daily tours. 

The Liberty Bell Center is another popular attraction for history lovers in the City of Brotherly Love. 

Outdoor Activities in Pennsylvania

229 miles of the Appalachian Trail pass through Pennsylvania, with portions of the trail suited for hikers of all levels. The Northern Half of the Trail is one of the more difficult stretches of the trail, while the Southern half is more accessible. 

The Allegheny National Forest, located about 100 miles from Pittsburgh is another favorite of outdoor lovers in the State.

Eating Your Way Through Pennsylvania

From sweet to savory, you’ll find great food in Pennsylvania. 

Did you know Hershey’s chocolate was born here? The Hershey’s Chocolate Tour in Hershey, PA allows you to follow the entire chocolate making process with free samples at the end! 

Heinz Ketchup is also a Pennsylvania original. While there is no factory tour, the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh will provide everything you need to know about the history of your favorite condiments.  

Philadelphia is famous for cheesesteak sandwiches. Two of the most famous cheesesteak purveyors are Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks. There is definitely a “beef” between these two rivals and depending on who you ask there is or isn’t a right answer to which one is better. 

On the other end of the State, Pittsburgh is known for Pierogies and sandwiches at Primanti Bros (which eat more like a meal than a sandwich).  

Sports In Pennsylvania

They love their home teams in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Both major cities have teams in the NFL, Major League Baseball and National Hockey League. 

In Pittsburgh, it’s all about the black and gold. The Steelers, Pirates and Penguins all share these distinct colors. 

In Philadelphia, fans cheer for the Eagles, Phillies and Flyers. As a larger city than Pittsburgh, Philly is also home to teams in the NBA (76ers) and MLS (Union). 

Planning to move somewhere other than the two major cities in the State? Pennsylvania is also home to several minor league baseball teams in Altoona, Erie, Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley, Reading, State College, Scranton Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport.

From PA, It’s Easy To Get To Anywhere on the East Coast

Pennsylvania is centrally located, making it easy to visit nearby states and other attractions while still living in Pennsylvania. Amtrak trains run across the state and to New York, making it easy to take day or weekend trips. 

Jobs in Pennsylvania

The second popular reason people moved to Pennsylvania in 2021 was for work. Pennsylvania is the second largest natural gas producer and is one of the top three energy exporters in the United States. 

The forestry and wood product industry employs more than 66,000 workers. Agriculture is another popular industry, with over 2,300 food-processing companies calling the state home.

Pennsylvania’s prime Northeast location makes it home to three major ports that provide over 54,000 jobs in the state. The ports are some of the busiest and fastest-growing ports in the country, providing $50 billion in economic benefit to the state. 

According to Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, some of the largest employers in early 2021 were Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, the City of Philadelphia, and Aetna. No matter who you work for in the state, you can expect a reasonable commute. Pennsylvania’s average commute time is around 27 minutes, shorter than many surrounding states.

Weathering the Move to Pennsylvania

The weather in Pennsylvania well aligns with the four seasons. Summer doesn’t get extremely hot, but winters are very cold and snowy. 

Spring brings heavy rainfall, but the fall is beautiful with bursts of color throughout the state.

If your moving date is flexible, summer and fall have more pleasant  weather, making your moves more comfortable. . 

No matter when you’re moving, it’s important to be prepared for weather and traffic conditions. Read more of United Van Lines’ tips and tricks for how to pack like a pro to make sure your items are secure. 

Where Are You Moving From?

No matter where you currently live, United Van Lines is here to help you move. Making a long-distance move? Our agents can help with packing, storage, and moving day itself. 

Our interstate agents can also help with shorter moves within the state, under their independent businesses and brands. Find a Pennsylvania mover today for more information.

Ready to Move to Pennsylvania? Get a Quote Today!

Ready to move to the East Coast and live in the Keystone State? A professional moving company like United Van Lines can make a big difference. Our services and moving plans work best for you and your moving schedule. View our moving services and complete an online quote to get started.

MyUnited Move Portal

United Van Lines makes it easy to coordinate your move to Pennsylvania and stay organized along the way. The MyUnited Move Portal personalizes and streamlines your moving experience. Use customized tools to keep track of all major moving milestones, organize contacts, and book your move online.