A few reasons why people have recently made the move …
Kids bike to school here.
Learn more about schools and how State College puts “family friendly” center stage.
The woods (and streams) are only minutes away.
Whether you’re into forest bathing or mountain biking you’ll want to read more.
You can walk from coffee
to coworking to date night.
Picture yourself living near an energetic downtown that’s charming foodies and entrepreneurs, families and neighbors.
Since you’ve been gone
State College may be small, but it’s definitely not sleepy. Here’s some of the cool stuff that’s been happening in recent years.
Enjoy cider and refreshments for a great cause? It feels so good to live in a place where businesses show up to support community efforts.
On Sunday, September 22nd, @goodintentcider is hosting an afternoon of purpose and connection. Cider & Solidarity is a fundraiser dedicated to launching a community care fund.
Good Intent is donating 50% of all event profits to this fund, managed by North Central Districted Allied Connections (NCDAC).
#drinkandeatlocal #statecollege #bellefontepa #goodintentcider #ciderandsolidarity #rediscoverstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa
Browsed the flea market @boalcitybrewing with a matcha mule from @hvnomadicspirits and enjoyed the September sunshine.
#rediscoverstatecollege #rediscoverstatecollege #happyvalley #vintage #fleamarket #statecollegepa
"Jenn kicked off the weekend with a yoga and live music session with Matt, her partner in music and in life. They perform all around State College as @anchorandarrowmusic with their uplifting and dancy tunes. Under a pavilion surrounded by bug singing trees, it was all dreamy drones, hip openers and long slow breaths."
HOW TO READ MORE: Look for this link in the Blog Highlight @rediscoverstatecollege
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #yoga
#wellnessinthewild #retreat #wellnessretreat
Seeing these signs around town from @jana_marie_foundation
are a reminder that mental health matters. These messages are a positive boost and they let community members know there are resources and support for those struggling with mental wellness.
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #wellness
Bald Eagle Lake is just 35 minutes from downtown State College - a beautiful spot to get your water fix. Beaches, boats, trails and good fishing.
#happyvalley #rediscoverstatecollege #lakelife #supstatecollege #statecollege #outdoorfun #watersports #kayakpa
There’s nothing like fresh milk in glass bottles produced by the cows grazing in the field out back from @meyerdairy. And such a sweet surprise to discover free honey from neighbor’s hives during our morning walk. 🍯🥛❤️
#rediscoverstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #local #localfood #bees #localdairy #freehoney
A favorite local spot for coffee and positive affirmations is the @good_day_cafe.
The experimental music scene here in State College is super vibrant and chill. @openmusicpa brought OMbience to @rhoneymeade arboretum last Sunday for an evening of original sonic performances from a variety of artists. People gathered with blankets, snacks, books and paints to listen and be with the beauty of nature all around.
#happyvalley #statecollege #happyvalleymusic #rediscoverstatecollege #pennsylvania #summer
Weekend vibes. 🐶☕️
It’s great to have some dog friendly spots around town. Rufus loves a tiny cup of cold foam a few blocks away from his home @vibecoffee
#statecollege #coffeeshop #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #doglife #coffeedog
A long dip in a spring fed creek is like a natural air conditioner for the body - it can keep you cool for the whole day! Some folks are pool people. Some are creek people. Good thing we`ve got both (and lakes too) near State College.
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #creeks #creeklife #coldplunge
The mushrooms are just wild here after a few rains!
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #summer #mushrooms
The sunflower maze at @dotterergrown was fantastic! The farm in Mill Hall is just about 30 minutes from State College. They open the maze for a couple weeks in the summer and we just made it this year. Walking around the 18 acre field feels like a dream. Make time to see this next summer!
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #roadtrip #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #summer #sunflowers
This week, we saw this humorous sign letting us know the students are starting to come back to town!
#collegetown #pennstate #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa
Ice Cream Fest was held Aug. 5 and it was amazing! This family-friendly event filled us with ice cream from about a dozen different vendors. There was also a competitive Ice Cream Eating contest with area High School Football Players. The Bellefonte Raiders won by eating 38 Dairy Queen Dilly Bars in 5 minutes, besting State High by 1!
The event is hosted every year by @statecollegedowntownrotary to raise money for areas of need in the community.
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #summer #family
Just winging it at the arboretum for some bird watching.
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #summer #family #pennstate #outdoors #nature
Don’t just take
our word for it.
State College is popping up on people’s radar — and for good reason.
State College Ranks No. 8 on Forbes’ 2021 List of the 50 Best College Towns In America
Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com List State College as One of the Hottest Emerging Housing Markets
We know what you’re thinking —
we thought it, too.
But behind those initial assumptions is a more nuanced reality about life in State College.
Tap a “perception” card to reveal how things really are here!
PERCEPTION:
State College is only for students.REALITY:
State College is a town full of creative individuals who care deeply about building community from the ground up.
PERCEPTION:
State College is too small.REALITY:
State College is small enough to make your own mark — and big enough for it to have real impact.
PERCEPTION:
State College is just about Penn State.REALITY:
Not everyone in town has a connection to the university, but everyone who lives here benefits by being so close to a world-class institution that attracts international visitors and first-rate entertainment.
PERCEPTION:
State College has too many high rises.REALITY:
State College is building up so students don’t have to rent houses that should be owned by families who want to walk to shops and restaurants downtown.
PERCEPTION:
State College doesn’t have any high-paying jobs.REALITY:
State College is home to a number of big companies and is growing all the time, but lots of people create their own lucrative and meaningful careers while living here.
PERCEPTION:
There’s nothing to do in State College.REALITY:
Just one block of downtown State College has enough to keep anyone busy for a day, with independent shops, eclectic bars and restaurants, yoga studios, art galleries, local theaters, and one of the best small town libraries ever (just our opinion).
PERCEPTION:
Housing in State College isn’t affordable.REALITY:
State College is expanding, and living options with it. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, the range in the market works for lots of budgets.
PERCEPTION:
There’s no diversity in State College.REALITY:
Our little valley is big enough for all kinds of people to find a home here, and we’re proud to lift up all kinds of voices to represent our town.
Life in State College is an invitation to…
Become a member of a small-town community, where roots have a chance to sink deep.
Downshift into a routine that feels meaningful and settled.
Redefine the life you really want—in an environment that offers the time, space, and support to go out and build it.
