Punxsutawney is town filled with world-class hospitals, hiking trails, and rolling hills. And, yes, the famed groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil.
Situated right on Mahoning Creek, about halfway between Pittsburgh and State College, Punxsutawney has a unique feeling all its own, groundhog or no, although the Groundhog Day festivals certainly epitomizes the town's homey charm and quirky spirit
Punxsutawney is town filled with world-class hospitals, hiking trails, and rolling hills. And, yes, the famed groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil.
Situated right on Mahoning Creek, about halfway between Pittsburgh and State College, Punxsutawney has a unique feeling all its own, groundhog or no, although the Groundhog Day festivals certainly epitomizes the town's homey charm and quirky spirit. For those not familiar, Groundhog Day is a festival dating from the 1880s, in which a groundhog named Phil emerges from his hole at Gobbler's Knob, a park in central Punxsutawney. Punxsutawney Phil has put Punxsutawney on the map, especially after the film "Groundhog Day," and the town has dealt well with its fame. Punxsutawney is located along one of the earliest known trails to the East, the Shamokin Path. The area was frequented by Iroquois as well as the Delaware Indians. The word "Punxsutawney," a term of the Delaware Indians, means "town of the mosquitoes," which does not bode well for potential visitors, but fear not. Many locals claim it was a misnomer. Regardless, every year on February 2nd, Groundhog Day sweeps across Punxsutawney, with locals and visitors alike joining in the fun. The 5.962 inhabitants of Punxsutawney believe that you will be charmed by that same quirky spirit. People here are friendly and you shouldn't be surprised if a stranger on the street greets you with a hearty "Hello!" It's that kind of a place.
The weather here is milder than other cities in the region and this, combined with the small town, homespun atmosphere, has made Punxsutawney a desirable place to work and to live. Despite the milder climate, moving in winter time should still be avoided, if possible. The preferred season to move here would be their spring time. Hauling boxes in a Pennsylvania winter, even a mild one, can be pretty dang cold. If you have a choice, you'll want to be all settled in when winter comes.
The Housing Market
The housing market is stable here, with apartments for rent like the Mahoning Towers, the Sycamore Apartments, Cherry Ridge Terrace, the Westgate, and Rayburn Manor. Condos for rent are a bit more of a scarcity, as many of these are set aside for the tourism market. If you need a short term rental while finding a longer term place to stay, condos for rent might be a good option. Homes for rent actually make up the bulk of the market. On the whole, the community is affordable and solidly middle class. Not everybody lives in homes here, with 32 percent of the population living in multi-unit complexes, which means finding an apartment to rent, should that be your wish, will not be a problem.
Renting
The rental market here consists mostly of apartments for rent or rental houses. Most of these rentals are not utilities-included rentals, which means a bit more money for the renter, especially come wintertime, when the cold hits. Although this certainly depends on how Phil is feeling come February 2nd, as any local will tell you. Use an apartments locator to find your new abode, although it never hurts to hit the town and drive around town. Not only will you get a better feel for your new home -- and maybe make some new friends! -- you may find some hidden gems not posted anywhere else.
Finding your ideal rental in Punxsutawney should not be too difficult, provided you follow three simple steps to prove to a potential landlord you are a reliable tenant. First, you need to procure a copy of your credit report. These can be easily obtained on the internet for a nominal fee. Secondly, you will need a proof of income, either last year's tax return or copies of some recent pay stubs. Paying the rent is important to landlords. Who knew? And third, you will need references from your previous landlords. Your new landlord will want to contact them and confirm you as a worthy tenant.
Punxsutawney does not have specific neighborhoods. It is a small enough town that the whole place feels like one big neighborhood. It feels like a single community. Most of the commercial activity in town runs along Mahoning Street (which parallels Mahoning Creek) and Sycamore Street, which runs north - south, perpendicular to Mahoning, and provides access to the town's residential streets.
Punxsutawney is known for its homey charm and the affectionate friendliness of its inhabitants. It might sound crazy, but they are actually interested in how you're doing. This sense of caring carries right through to its hospital, the Punxsutawney Area Hospital, which has been twice ranked among the nation's 100 best hospitals due to its efficiency of care, cost effective management, and quality treatments.
Get Some Sun!
One of the favorite outdoor activities of the area is the Mahoning Shadow Trail, a dog friendly trail that's part of the nationwide Rails to Trails movement, in which old, unused rail lines are converted into hike and bike trails. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, there are numerous trails nearby. The Slippery Rock Gorge Trail is fantastic, but only recommended for expert hikers and climbers. A bit more modest is the Laurel Highlands Trail, which extends from the Youghiogheny River Gorge at Ohiopyle State Park. For a family camping trip, Cook Forest State Park is nearby.
Shop Til You Drop
Coming back to Punxsutawney proper, Mahoning Street has charm to spare, with numerous businesses catering to both tourists and locals. There are some fantastic restaurants, with a heavy focus on diners and pizza. Options include Punxsy Phil's Family Restaurant, Laska Pizza, Punxsy Pizza, Gobbler's Knob, and Tres Amigos. These restaurants, while catering to the tourist crowd that is its bread and butter, also provide quality food at fair prices to the locals who frequent these establishments.
There are shopping options as well. Though on initial glance the shopping seems to favor the town's tourists, other shops like Peebles, B's Books, and Fashion Bug help keep the dollars flowing locally. The B & B Cheese Shop is a great place to buy some really pretty tasty cheese and dairy products. A little west of town is the Windgate Vineyards and Winery, where one can sample their wines, take a tour of the grounds, and bring home a bottle or three for later enjoyment.
Phil's Club, a group started in the 1880's to help preserve and perpetuate the myth of Phil the great weather prognosticating groundhog, is a local favorite group. A favorite tradition of theirs is the summer trek to Phil's stump at Gobbler's Knob, where Phil's Club feeds Phil a special "Groundhog Punch" that helps to preserve his longevity and aid in his prophecy.
Bottom Line
On the whole, Punxsutawney is an extremely friendly community, nestled in the beautiful foothills and mountains of western Pennsylvania, that prizes its traditions, both groundhog and non-groundhog related. It welcomes all newcomers with a small town pride and spirit that is all its own, and yet speaks of the best parts of America.
