Altoona, PA is a beautiful city located in central Pennsylvania that offers a wide variety of activities for those who visit. It is also known for its excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The city has an abundance of local attractions such as the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Site and the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. Additionally, Altoona boasts numerous parks and trails, making it a great destination for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. Visitors can also enjoy the city’s vibrant cultural landscape with art galleries, music venues, and theater companies.
Reviews of Altoona are generally positive, with many visitors praising its pleasant atmosphere and friendly locals. There is something to do for everyone in Altoona – whether it’s taking in some culture or exploring nature. As one reviewer put it: “I had a wonderful time here! Great selection of shops, restaurants and places to go for entertainment! I couldn't have asked for anything better!” Another reviewer said: “Altoona has so much to offer! From festivals to outdoor activities – there are plenty of things to do here that will make you want to come back again!” People from all around the world have come to appreciate all that Altoona has to offer – making it an ideal destination for an unforgettable getaway.
based on 11 ReviewsGet to know Altoona with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Altoona
Reflections on Altoona... - 9/21/2020
Sun rises and sets over 2000+ ft. mountains, which does seem to shorten your summer days. It gets hot and humid in the summer, with not a lot of wind or airflow, sometimes absolutely still or stagnant. On the plus side of this, you won't have to worry about tornadoes. Weather fronts all year long often stall in the mountains, and either have a lot of hang time or produce nothing that was expected. In the last ten years I've been here, a few years produced one or two winter storms that dumped enough snow to shovel/plow/or blow. That's it, one or two storms for the year. We had quite a few winters with only rain. One year we had a bitter cold snap that lasted for weeks, but no snow. Occasionally the valley and hillsides get ice. Nor'easters occasionally bring snow but lake effect does not amount to much here. Middle income housing is hard to find. There are mini-mansions and fixer-uppers if you have the cash. Attitudes here are more influenced by the East coast -- Jersey, and are fairly
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Climate - 2/23/2020
Though the climate in Altoona is cold in the Winter, it does often get less snow than Western Pennsylvania because of the Allegheny Front mountain range just to the west of Altoona. The weather systems from the West as well as any Lake Effect snows are diminished quite a bit after crossing the Allegheny Front. Most of the snowy weather systems come from the South. When a Nor'easter winter storm hits Washington DC to Boston, Massachusetts Altoona often gets less snow than the cities to its East and Northeast. The only time Altoona gets hit with a lot of snow is when the low pressure system is located inland & it moves up the Appalachian range. With global warming, those systems are often just rain makers in Altoona, but there can be more ice storms there!
In the Summer, Altoona is warm and humid, but not as hot and humid as Washington DC. Temperatures are more often in the 80's than the
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Altoona has a good location - 2/23/2020
I grew up in Hollidaysburg near Altoona. The city has had its ups and downs throughout the years but all in all I think that central PA has the most beautiful scenery in all of Pennsylvania.
Altoona is situated on Interstate 99 halfway between the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Bedford to Interstate 80 at Penn State University. I believe that that road system is ideal for the future growth of the 21st Century businesses & education in Central PA.
Penn State University is 40 miles to the north of Altoona via Interstate99, & Altoona has a beautiful, park like setting branch campus of Penn State itself.
There is a lot of history there; recreation & of course beautiful scenery of the Allegheny mountain ridges all along Interstate 99.
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21.84% job growth !? - 11/22/2008
Hi all... i've read the charts and graphs available from RECON and i just can't seem to figure where this kind of job growth over the next 10 years is coming from(?)
Any thoughts from the community on what sector might be creating these gains ? (other than new big box retailers
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Depends on what you want - 1/10/2008
I lived in the Altoona area for about 5 years and still go back often to visit friends. I moved there from further east in the state for a job and it was quite an adjustment. It grew on me over time. It's got its good side and plenty of bad. It depends upon what you want. This city used to be twice its size as the railroad building and repair hub for the PA Railroad. If you like trains etc, Altoona will be interesting to you. There are still vestiges of the culture that used to be there - a symphony, a Jaffa Shrine, for example. There is plenty of shopping - better than State College, where Penn State is located. There is a lively branch campus of Penn State there also. Healthcare access is not so great - the doctors are overwhelmed because there are so many older people. You can wait months to see a specialist. There is a serious drug problem in the downtown neighborhoods. However...if you like a Leave-It-To-Beaver era lifestyle, you can still find it in Altoona. It's a
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A nice little place to live - 7/18/2007
A previous poster commented that Altoona was only a good situation for the rich or well-connected. I came to Altoona in 2003 on the advice of some friends from college. I found it to be a nice little city, not too busy and not too quiet. It's got its downsides, but everywhere does. On the whole, my wife and I find it an ideal situation in which to raise our family.
We also find quite a bit of negativity, as evidenced by the previous poster. While I am not surprised to hear his/her comments, I am disappointed. Even though that may have been his/her experience, life is only as good as you make it, and perspective can go a long way to make an experience pleasurable or painful. We regularly thank God, sincerely, for having put us in Altoona,
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$ - 7/16/2006
When it comes to housing, the cost of living is so low, but the utility companies, grocers, and the taxes balance out the scales a
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Stay Away is the best advice! - 7/12/2006
I was also born and raised in Altoona and moved away in 1994 for about a year. When I came back from Arizona, I was astonished at the prices they charge in Altoona and get away with. The area is geared toward the limited number of the wealthy and screws the rest. After trying to maintain a decent (what a joke) living for ten years, I was, once again, screwed. Found a job in Atlanta Georgia and just cannot believe how the employees are treated and the wages they are paid. I just bought a home that would be priced around $200,000 in Blair Cty., for about $50,000 less than that.
I gave the so-called city two chances and will NOT give it a third. I am getting to old to fight the overpowering, greedy wealthy in PA and now live in an area that just does not care how much you earn, but who you are.
Good luck to anyone, unless you are a descendent of certain families or marry into one, who tries to make Altoona, PA a home.
P.S. In Georgia, police do not have to
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stay away - 4/15/2006
I have lived in Altoona my whole life and am currently saving money to move out. There is a lot of crime for the size of the town and a lot of drugs. There is very little entertainment or jobs. Seriously if you are considering moving here please change your
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