What's the Altoona area like?

[Steve in PA]

My daughter just accepted a full-time music teaching job (highschool) in the Altoona area. I know its on the other side of State College. Both my kids gradutated from PSU so she won't be totally unfamiliar with the area. My daughter and ex-wife will be spending the next several weeks looking for an apartment for her. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the area.

[RandomTask]

Do you mean Altoona proper, or outside the city?
The city IMO is a $hithole, but some places outside the city are OK (e.g., Holidaysburg, Bellwood).

[338winmag]

for the most part i agree with random on this one

[tes151]

Do you mean Altoona proper, or outside the city?
The city IMO is a $hithole, but some places outside the city are OK (e.g., Holidaysburg, Bellwood).

Sounds about right.

[xflyboy]

Do you mean Altoona proper, or outside the city?
The city IMO is a $hithole, but some places outside the city are OK (e.g., Holidaysburg, Bellwood).

no just parts of the city are bad, some are very nice quiet neighborhoods.
it has the usual abundance of shopping eating establishments. if you want more info pm me (and i'll fill you in on the places to avoid and the better parts of the city)
i know cause i'm an altoonanite

[scoutjoe]

I can throw some advice out too, being just south of toona town. Just might need to get some specific questions.

[lal]

Altoona is an old railroad town that lost a lot of employment when the railroad left, (just a shop in Hollidaysburg now), not a real downtown as such, Plank Ave. is a shoppers paradise as far as retail stores go, plus another shopping area on I99 Highway, there are surrounding towns as said before that are nice and affordable on a teachers salary, plus a pro Baseball team, Ski area nearby and some cultural events held regularly, the area is rich in history, early railroad etc. and is having a tough time of it now, pop about 45k, the whole 220 corridor has lost a lot of jobs. Best wishes to her.

[Steve in PA]

I'm not sure of the exact location. I think its outside Altoona itself, as my daughter said its a small highschool, only about 600 students. My son may know the area better, as he said its more rural than city.

[HSMaxim]

Here you go:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Altoona-Pennsylvania.html

I drive to Altoona a few times a week, and hit some local estate auctions once in a while.
It's not for me, but like others have said, the outlying areas are much nicer.

Bellwood, Pinecroft, Tipton, Duncansville, Gallitzin, ect... are all a short drive from the "city".

[scoutjoe]

(just a shop in Hollidaysburg now),

Don't even got that anymore, Norfolk Closed it down. Juniata shops might still be working