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.
When @cirquedusoleil comes to State College it’s a big deal! Our @rediscoverstatecollege team was totally dazzled. The @ovo.cirquedusoleil show runs through the weekend at the @jordancenter and is a family friendly production.
The set, lights, music, acrobatics and artistry were stunning. And, we saw some new moves to try out just in time for trampoline season!
#rediscoverstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #brycejordancenter #familyfun #cirquedusoleil #ovo
"Mention Penn State to anyone anywhere, and the first thing that’s likely to come up is football. Yes, we are a perennial powerhouse in the football world. Fans pour in from all over the state (and beyond) to tailgate and cheer inside Beaver Stadium. But Penn State is also home to a myriad of other competitive sports. From wrestling to track and field to lacrosse, the “We Are” chants ring out all over campus. How, then, does a sports-crazed family like ours decide which events to attend? As children we played baseball, soccer, basketball and competed in dance competitions. Though we no longer play organized sports, we tune in regularly for our favorite teams (Go Phillies and Eagles!). It just so happens that, locally, we latched on—from a very early age—to Penn State men’s basketball."
Local writer and teacher David Rockower writes about his family`s love of Penn State Basketball through the years.
HOW TO READ MORE: Look for this link in the Blog Highlight @rediscoverstatecollege
Photo: David and his family at a PSU basketball game.
#rediscoverstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #pennstatebasketball #sportsfamily #basketballfamily
Local music artist @lauraboswell organized a benefit concert for Hurricane Helene at @elkcreekcafe this past Saturday night which raised over 2K.
Laura opened the show with @quickdraw_harmonicas and Vinny Searfoss. @hannah_bingman and JK played next. @thepsychicbeat played a set and then Eric Ian Farmer closed out the show with @elizabethw_music and ensemble.
After living in Asheville NC for 6 years, Laura has returned to her hometown, State College. The community showed up to support her fundraising effort. Proceeds go to @belovedasheville, an organization that has been on the front lines of disaster relief since the hurricane.
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #statecollegemusic #localartists #hurricanerelief #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #folkmusic #artistssupportingartists
Our team has really been enjoying getting to connect with new residents. Everyone we`ve talked with has their own journey of how they`ve made State College their home.
Stephanie describes our State College community as "warm and inviting" and she has made an impressive effort to plug in and explore! Some of her favorite ways to get connected have been through volunteering with @downtownbellefonte, working out @orangetheorystatecollege, making things at @therivetds and finding all the best places to eat. (We`ve added @passthedutchiepa to our list of newish places to check out.)
Moving from Philadelphia, Stephanie says that relocating here has given her energy to find new hobbies and explore new interests - like birding, belly dancing and social dance. She sees State College as an amazing place to "tap into things that bring you joy".
Thanks for the conversation @sssss_lauren!
We discovered we are both fans of the lavender fog lattes at @good_day_cafe_
What`s your favorite way to tap into joy in State College? Tell us in the comments.
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollegepa #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #coffeedates #teadates #community #joy
Like so many others, Centre County Commissioner Amber Concepcion grew up in State College, went to Penn State, and then moved to a city.
But in 2007, she and her husband moved back because they wanted their kids to grow up in a town with a real sense of community, and our vibrant downtown and great public schools sealed the deal.
We asked Amber to fill us in on her State College favorites and hope you’ll enjoy learning about her local experience.
Photo: Amber and her son at @statecollegesd High School graduation. “This was the last year that I was Board President for graduation, and getting to speak to his class and give him his diploma was such a highlight!”
HOW TO READ MORE: Look for this link in the blog highlight @rediscoverstatecollege
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #statecollegepa #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #localleaders #localschools
Spring break in State College means no wait at the @originalwaffleshop, road trips to the Big Valley for Amish treats and greenhouses, long hikes in Rothrock State Forest and haircuts!
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollegepa #springbreak
Are you subscribed to our mailing list? Every Tuesday morning, get all the latest and greatest about State College delivered to your inbox.
We interview locals to find out what they love about living here and highlight what`s happening downtown, in the community, the local schools and more.
Tag a pal who could use some State College love in their inbox. 📧❤️
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #statecollegepa
@thesquirrelandacornbookshop is going old school with their weekly writing contest. How fun to tap away on a real typewriter and let your stories, poems and ideas spill out on the page.
Or you can hand write your story. New one page prompts are given each week, writers write while in the store and patrons get to vote!
Winners get at $20 gift card.
Locals out and about town for spring break: the typewriter calls.
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalleypa #happyvalley #bookshops #typewriters #writingcontest
State College Area High School (@statecollegesd) sits in the top 8 percent of high schools nationally and our district is full of top tier educators and facilities. (Not to mention students!) This week`s blog features some of things we’re proud to know are happening in the world of local education.
Read about State High`s own Laura Tobias who was been named Pennsylvania`s Principal of the Year for 2025.
And the Walking School Bus for Corl Street Elementary School students has been going strong for the last decade!
Photo credit: Nabil K. Mark
HOW TO READ MORE: Look for this link in the Blog Highlight @rediscoverstatecollege
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #localschools
We had to check out the new @kitchengardenus Cafe & Mediterranean Breakfast place everyone in town is talking about!
We love this Turkish coffee presentation -and just look at all these beautiful dishes!
We enjoyed the SERPME - Authentic Turkish Breakfast Spread for two. It was amazing.
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #breakfast #mediterraneanfood
Today we are supporting one of our favorite local businesses @webstersbookscafe and taking a new community member to tea.
We talked about places to go to dance (see you tonight @mannysstatecollege), Latin music, women’s groups, farmers markets, biking, soccer and more.
We’d love to connect with you abut your recent move to State College. Send us a DM and connect with a team member.
#rediscoverstatecollege #downtownstatecollege #happyvalleypa #happyvalley #statecollege #statecollegepa #coffee #tea #conversation #community
Our @rediscoverstatecollege team loves meeting up at this spot downtown. Can you guess where we are?
Hint: The tinned fish on the ever changing menu is a real treat.
#rediscoverstatecollege #downtownstatecollege #statecollegepa #statecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #happyhour #team
It’s no secret that State College is brimming with wonderful parks. (Thirteen of them, gracing 115 acres across the Borough, to be exact!)
But do you know which park was the very first?
That award goes to resident-favorite Holmes-Foster Park, which has delighted kids and provided a peaceful natural area for adults for more than 100 years.
With picnic pavilions, two playground areas (little kids gravitate towards the lower, bigger kids the upper), a basketball court, horseshoes, charcoal grills, two bocce courts, a restroom facility, and plenty of summertime shade from those previously mentioned trees, Holmes-Foster was the first and is still one of the best when it comes to our local parks.
(We think it’s so great, we even made a tshirt about it.)
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege
#downtownstatecollegepa #holmesfoster #holmesfosterpark #centreregionparks #parks
How lucky are we to be able to walk downtown (or drive on a super windy day) to this fancy place.
It was a feel good valentine day date @vitalitywellnessclub.
13 minute sauna / 3 minute cold plunge / repeat 3x.
Finish with a smoothie from @k2roots
Thanks @vitalitywellnessclub for a great afternoon. 🩷
#rediscoverstatecollege #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #statecollege #statecollegepa #wellness #coldplunge #sauna
Freelance creative Joyce Yong has been a State College resident for 11 years. Chances are, you’ve seen (or sipped) her creations around town more than a few times!
While Joyce has primarily worked in food storytelling and branding during her time in State College, she’s probably best known around town as the creative mind behind Thunder Thunder Tea. @brewthunderthunder
After venturing into the Specialty Coffee industry in 2016, she’s been working to create a similar movement for Specialty Tea and her wonderful creations have become a local staple.
(After browsing her website, we’re now daydreaming about sipping a cup of Peony Garden, with elements of white peony tea, sage, lavender, lemon verbena, orange peel, and cornflowers, on a sunny spring day in the not-too-distant future!)
We asked Joyce to fill us in on her State College favorites and hope you’ll enjoy this look at what lights her up locally!
Photo: Jonathan Hsieh / @motionlighthouse
HOW TO READ MORE: Look for this link in the Blog Highlight @rediscoverstatecollege
#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #tea #teaculture
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.
