Moving to Somerset

[dk99358]

Well I just accepted a job in Somerset. I start Jan 13th and will commute weekly from Lancaster until my son graduates high school in June. Then we'll move out there permanent.

Anybody got any suggestions on places to live, both for me while commuting and when the family move? Probably looking to rent for awhile and we're not concerned about schools as the last kid at home is headed for college next fall. My wife and I both grew up in DuBois so we know winter in Western Pa.

Looks like the PGC has a range near Somerset and there are some clubs in the county. How about gunshops?

Any and all comments welcome.

Dale

[knight0334]

Well I just accepted a job in Somerset. I start Jan 13th and will commute weekly from Lancaster until my son graduates high school in June. Then we'll move out there permanent.

Anybody got any suggestions on places to live, both for me while commuting and when the family move? Probably looking to rent for awhile and we're not concerned about schools as the last kid at home is headed for college next fall. My wife and I both grew up in DuBois so we know winter in Western Pa.

Looks like the PGC has a range near Somerset and there are some clubs in the county. How about gunshops?

Any and all comments welcome.

Dale

You might be surprised that winters in Somerset are generally worse than DuBois. I've seen snow, not drifts - but snow, upto the windows of my GMC K1500 from Somerset, southward into Confluence. And the snow drifts are a mutha-F'r. Its not uncommon for some main roads to be closed for days until they clear a drift. Just about every year Garrett Shortcut Rd gets closed for a day or two.

Ranges - you'll be looking for a sportsmans club or gamelands range.

Gun shops - there is a place a mile or two west of Somerset in a plaza on SR31(Glades Pike) - they dont have much. A really really small shop about half way between Somerset and Berlin at the intersection of Berlin Plank(SR219) and Garrett Shortcut Rd. There is also a gunsmith somewhere in Somerset, and I think he is a member here. The closest "big" gun shop is on Scalp Ave up in the Geistown/Richland Twp area just outside of Johnstown. I think there is another gun shop somewhere around Rockwood. And there is another gunshop in Berlin, but I can never catch that place when it's open. If you're up for a drive, there is Juniata Trading about 50 miles away in Everett(east of Bedford). Juniata Trading in Everett and Sporting Good Discounters near Johnstown area probably the best gun shops in the region.

As for places to live - any place in Somerset is just about the same. There really isn't any "bad neighborhoods".

People are friendly down there. DSL and cable internet is available in the urban areas, also in many of the rural areas.

[dk99358]

We drove out yesterday to look around and meet the guy I will be working with. They had snow piles in the parking lots Joel said they got about 8 inches from Sandy but some places further south got 38 inches.

I knew they tended to get more snow than DuBois and I've been in Northern Cambria enough to know the drifts can be pretty amazing down that way. I was just trying to head off any 'It's a lot different weather than Lancaster' posts.

Thanks for the info on gunshops etc. I've still got family and friends in DuBois, so Grice's and Bob's are just a short hop over the mountain if need be. From various posts of yours that I've seen, you really get around the state.

Mapquest shows 2 hours to Cabelas in WV, that's a bummer. I've lived about an hour away from the Hamburg store since it opened. Oh well, I haven't bought much from them lately and they do mail order if I do want something.

Wife and teenage son will be happy to hear about cable and DSL.

Dale

[knight0334]

We drove out yesterday to look around and meet the guy I will be working with. They had snow piles in the parking lots Joel said they got about 8 inches from Sandy but some places further south got 38 inches.

I knew they tended to get more snow than DuBois and I've been in Northern Cambria enough to know the drifts can be pretty amazing down that way. I was just trying to head off any 'It's a lot different weather than Lancaster' posts.

Thanks for the info on gunshops etc. I've still got family and friends in DuBois, so Grice's and Bob's are just a short hop over the mountain if need be. From various posts of yours that I've seen, you really get around the state.

Mapquest shows 2 hours to Cabelas in WV, that's a bummer. I've lived about an hour away from the Hamburg store since it opened. Oh well, I haven't bought much from them lately and they do mail order if I do want something.

Wife and teenage son will be happy to hear about cable and DSL.

Dale

Yep, I'm down that were usually once a week. I contract to Verizon to design their outside plant(poles/cables/etc). I'm everywhere from Bellefonte, westward to the OH line. And from Warren, southward to the MD line. ...but mostly in the Johnstown/Somerset area.

[shtrdave]

You have Hoover's on 653 from rockwood to garret and just at the edge of town is Stoner's I usually go to hoovers.there is also a Gander Mountain in Johnstown but pricey. A few good smiths around and some nice clubs, although most are away from somerset, there is one right at the south edge of town.

As for living tax rates are lower in some places than other but overall not so bad.

[Mtbkski]

20 minutes North on 219 you hit Richland / Giestown. Sporting Good Discounters is there. Big selection of firearms. Gander Mt is there.

Lots of Sportsman's Clubs in the area. Sure you should be able to find a range nearby.

You ski? Just a short distance to two different ski resorts.

Couple big dams for kayaking, fishing not far away either.

I think you'll like it there. For a "rural" area, there is lots to do not that far away.

[Boyd Sponaugle]

Nice area. I've always liked the high plateau country in PA. Spent some job time in Somerset County and found the people to be tolerable good. Best wishes.

[dk99358]

Thanks for the well wishes. My wife and I left DuBois 20 years ago for the southeast corner of the state. In many ways, Somerset is kind of like coming home for us.

Dale