I’ve lived in State College for more than 6 years.

But the truth about my experience here is that I’m just starting to find my way into a sense of community. 

Shortly after I relocated here to join my now-husband in 2015, we started regularly debating whether to stay in the valley or move to my hometown of Pittsburgh. 

Justin had spent decades building fulfilling personal and professional connections here and I had done the same there. It was a ping pong question with no obviously clear answer. 

Because I was never totally sure if we’d stay, my investment in building a solid community here was pretty lackluster. 

In this state of limbo, I became friends with my husband’s friends. I hung out with my in-laws. I spent weekends with family and friends back in the ‘Burgh. I experienced life here in a more passive way, participating in things when invited, but not seeking out much on my own. 

And slowly, life in State College (and the less frantic pace that came along with it) continued to grow on me. 

I got used to not sitting in traffic. I loved that it took no longer than 20 minutes to get anywhere. The summer woods blooming with rhododendron and mountain laurel stole my heart. (So much so that we got married in them!) There was the absolutely perfect lamb biryani at India Pavilion to consider. The sidewalks lined with giant, old trees. A beloved tradition of shopping for flowers and herbs at Patchwork Farm each spring.

I could go on.

But in late 2019, despite all of the benefits I was experiencing, it was becoming increasingly obvious that my isolated, work-from-home, don’t-invest-in-case-we-don’t-stay lifestyle was not lending itself to an especially engaging social life.

And just as I enthusiastically decided that it was time to get serious about building my community here? The pandemic started.

As a result, I’ve lived in this unique, beautiful town for 6 years and feel like I’m only just beginning to build the community to match.

So what does this have to do with you?

Well, I’d imagine that I’m just a little further down a path that you might also find yourself on if you relocate.

Maybe you already have some connections here.

But when it comes to a thriving, got-your-back sense of community? You might be starting from scratch, too.

So I wanted to share a little about what I’ve found has been possible in StateCollege in just this short period of time that I’ve been intentionally seeking out my community.

And I want to show you what you have to look forward to in the short term. (Because there are lots of people who can show you what it looks like to build a beautiful life here over decades!)

A Beginner’s Guide to Finding Community in State College

I recently met a fabulous woman named Erica Quinn. We met at Webster’s Bookstore Café to chat. Beyond the fact that Erica’s the director of local creative community space 3 Dots and a total wizard when it comes to connecting people, she’s also a completely delightful, interesting all-around human. The kind of person you start talking to because you want to learn more about her work with State College’s creative community, but the kind of person you end up talking with about the ego and moon rituals and how she’d somehow found herself bowling with people she’d never imagined she’d be hanging out with here and the beauty of intergenerational friendships. 

So Erica and I are chatting our little faces off. And as we’re talking, I’m starting to realize that she knows pretty much everyone in the room. She introduces me to Wren and Oli who work at Webster’s and who also volunteer for and partner with 3 Dots on events. 

People stop by our table to say hi and Erica waves to others. 

One of the coolest things about this experience was learning that Erica had also just started her quest for community. 

Less than a year ago, she was wondering if State College was really for her. She hadn’t felt like she’d found her place here and was thinking of relocating. 

Then a poster for a local all-day music festival caught her eye. And after a magical summer day spent laying on a blanket in the grass in the sculpture garden at Rhoneymeade Arboretum, watching the trees blow in the breeze, listening to music, and connecting with a few other people at the event?

She now knows everyone at Webster’s.

From what I can tell from my own journey to find my groove here, in StateCollege, the community building chain reaction can work just like that.

Building a new community anywhere takes time and effort. But the benefit to building a community here is that State College offers a slowed down pace and lifestyle that make investing in new relationships possible. (Many who have relocated from bigger cities talk about the lack of time or energy they had to meet new people or make friends.)

And State College is a community filled with people who are eager to connect you and help you find your place.

A few weeks after our first meeting, with Erica’s invitation, my small business set up a pop up during 3 Dots’ weekly Tuesdays on the Terrace event. That evening, I ran into Wren and Oli, greeted a few more now-familiar faces, and met a dozen new people doing cool things in the creative community. 

I also got to introduce Erica to an artist who was new in town and wondering if there were any opportunities for people to paint together and talk about art. 

They left with an invitation to partner with 3 Dots to create that exact opportunity.

State College has the nature, the schools, and the energetic downtown that check lots of boxes. AND, if you’re still feeling that (totally normal!) sense of nervousness, wondering whether you’ll find your own community here? I hope this’ll reassure you that when you’re ready, there’s a town full of welcoming, generous people who are genuinely excited to help you find your niche.

More soon!