The Johnstown
MSA doesn't try to be everything to everybody, but we do offer an eclectic
blend of ambience, attitudes, and activity -- places to go, people to
see, things to do -- that generates an overall quality of life that's
second to none. Whether you're born here or move here, you'll never really
think of anywhere else as home.
For an overview of the Johnstown MSA lifestyle, follow the links below.
For more information, detailed calendars of events, or amenities in nearby
Pittsburgh, visit the Related Links section of this page.
Climate
Cost of Living
Culture & Entertainment
Event Highlights
Health Care
Recreation
Safety
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Related Links:
Greater Johnstown Cambria County Chamber Of Commerce
Greater Johnstown Cambria County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Greater Pittsburgh Chamber Of Commerce
Johnstown Area Heritage Association
Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau
Somerset County Chamber of Commerce
Westsylvania
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Climate
OK, so you'll never mistake the Johnstown
MSA for life in the Caribbean. The climate is four-seasoned, but
the summers are never too hot, winters never too cold, and we have spectacular
displays of Mother Nature at her finest in spring and autumn.
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| Avg Temp, Year | 51.3°F |
| Avg Max Temp, Year | 62.2°F |
| Avg Max Temp, July | 82.6°F |
| Avg Min Temp, Year | 40.3°F |
| Avg Min Temp, January | 19.8°F |
| Annual Days > 90 °F | 8 |
| Heating degree days | 5648°F |
| Cooling degree days | 738°F |
| Average rainfall | 47.7" |
Sources: worldclimate.com, money.cnn.com
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Cost of Living
The Johnstown MSA is one of the
best values in the U.S., with favorable comparisons to national averages
in most categories. According
to Forbes Magazine we have the
lowest cost of living in the U.S.,
15.2% lower than the national average.
When compared to other nearby metro
areas such as Pittsburgh, the Johnstown MSA comes out significantly
ahead. Salary.com
shows that workers typically earn 8.9% less in Johnstown than Pittsburgh
for the same job, but the cost of living is 10.9% lower in Johnstown. Employers
can pay less, and still produce a higher standard of living for their employees!
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| | JMSA | US |
| Composite Index: | 92.7 | 100 |
| Grocery Index: | 90 | 100 |
| Median Home Price: | $80,400 | $128,57 |
| Housing Index: | 79.5 | 100 |
| Health Care Index: | 77.4 | 100 |
Sources: ACCRA, money.cnn.com
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Event Highlights
All dates are for 2003 and are
subject to change. Events typically occur during the same time periods each
year.
Somerset Fire & Ice Festival
(Jan 17-19): Winter wonderland carnival.
Pennsylvania Maple Festival
(Mar 29-30, Apr 2-6): Celebration of the beginning of spring with history
tours, daily events, and maple syrup production exhibits.
Showcase for Commerce
(May 29-30): Largest business & industry show and premier
defense contracting exhibit in the region.
Jazz Along the River Concert
Series (Weekends, May - Aug): Live jazz musicians, food, and beverages.
Friendly City PolkaFest
(Jun 12-15): A celebration of music, food, and fun.
Sunnehanna Amateur Golf Tournament for Champions
(Jun 6-8): Continuation of the first country club sponsored 72-hole
stroke play competition for amateurs in the U.S.
Thunder in the Valley
(Jun 26-29): Fastest growing motorcycle rally in the eastern U.S.
Shakespeare in Stackhouse Park
(Jul 24 - Aug 3): Classic William Shakespeare in a beautiful outdoor setting.
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The International-Tour de 'Toona
(Jul 28 - Aug 3): Johnstown leg of America's premier stage racing event.
National All American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) Tournament
(Aug 4-10): Future pros compete at one of the nation's best amateur
baseball tournaments.
Showcase for Biotechnology (Aug
27-29): Western PA's premier biomedical informatics symposium.
Johnstown Folkfest
(Aug 29-31): Western PA's premier music festival.
Log House Arts Festival (Aug
30-31): Traditional craftsmen, live entertainment, hot foods, kids kingdom.
Opera Festival (Sep 20): Johnstown
Symphony Orchestra's annual fundraiser.
Ebensburg PotatoFest
(Oct 4): Crafts, food, and entertainment from the largest producer of
potatoes in Pennsylvania.
Johnstown Marathon (Oct 5):
26 mile, 10K, Funwalk, and lollipop races.
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Recreation
Outdoor adventure for the whole
family is synonymous with the Johnstown MSA. We feature:
Over 35 Golf Courses.
Nearby amusement parks
DelGrosso's,
Idlewild,
Kennywood, and
Lakemont.
Skiing at Blue
Knob, Hidden Valley,
Laurel Mountain,
Seven Springs.
Hiking, mountain
biking, "rail trail"
biking, boating, whitewater
rafting, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, hunting,
camping, and
picnicking at a variety of venues.
Pennsylvania State Parks
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Whitewater Rafting,
Somerset County
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Safety
The Johnstown MSA is not only
one of the safest places in the
US, its one of the safest places in
all of North America. Areaconnect.com
and money.cnn.com rank us 1st in the nation in overall property crime
risk, 17th in overall personal crime risk, and significantly better than
national averages in virtually every statistical category. The Places Rated
Almanac gave the Johnstown MSA a "perfect score" (100) for
its low crime rate. You simply
cannot find a more risk-free location.
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AYSO Soccer at Kidsport, Somerset County
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