Home to a thriving downtown district and Penn State University, State College is one of the most unique and youthful places in Pennsylvania to call home. This classic Pennsylvania borough is home to more than 42,000 residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, showing that this is a small, quaint college town that comes alive with students living in State College apartments for rent every fall. Because of the downtown district's many restaurants, specialty stores, sporting events and festivals, there are plenty of reasons why apartments for rent in State College are special and exciting.
There are several cultural attractions for prospective residents looking at State College apartments for rent, including the State Theatre, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the Douglas Albert Gallery and the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center. Since this is also quite the college town, you can expect to see plenty of excellent restaurants and nightlife while living in apartments in State College, especially in the downtown area. The city is also sandwiched between two golf courses, so you will have plenty of opportunities to work on your swing. One of the most renowned green spaces in the area is the Arboretum at Penn State, a beautiful attraction that works with the university to show off the area's best flowers and plants.
The city's population has grown by more than 10 percent from 2000 to 2010, and the area's affordability is definitely one of the reasons. According to City-Data, the 2012 cost of living index for State College apartments for rent was just around 5 percent more expensive than the U.S. average, making State College apartments very affordable options for Pennsylvania residents. AreaVibes gave State College a liveability score of 77 because of the area's high graduation rates, great local amenities, stable housing market and low crime rates.
It goes without saying that Pennsylvania State University is the city's top institution. Considered one of the best publicly funded universities in the Midwest, Penn State draws in thousands of students into State College every semester. The university is also State College's top employer, showing that higher education is by far the biggest industry here. However, the Mount Nittany Medical Center, Wamart and Raytheon also make up a good chunk of the employment for State College residents, according to the city's official website.