2nd place...

Its old and getting older. What is (?) you may ask... The population in PA. We've known it since moving to Pittsburgh, but now its making the news. Technically the only reason its making the news is because of politics and how the older population will affect the vote. PA comes in second place, right behind Florida, and apparently that is a good thing for some candidates. As for us, it isn't such a good thing.

Since moving here almost two years ago we've been shocked to find that most of the people around us are older. The area in which we currently live is packed full of elderly people. Even in our apartment complex there are tons of older people, both of our neighbors are over 60. We've been told a few times that the population here is on the decline because younger people aren't moving into the area. And its true, people who are from here, stay here and just grow old. Although, many younger PA born residents are starting to leave the area for lack of jobs. Thats something that we've faced too as I haven't been able to find a job (I like) in the area.

A couple other ways we've been affected by the aging population is with the housing market and friends. The housing market is a tough thing right now everywhere but here it almost feels impossible when you couple the older population who stay in their homes with incredibly high taxes. Oh, and not to mention the fact that apparently people here in PA don't like "new" and "modern" architecture. (That last part we were told in a real estate lecture.) So we've been left looking at older run down houses that need more work, time, and money than we have.

We did have the privilege of meeting two younger couples through the church we were attending, but not after some hard work to find them. The church we were attending is made up of... yep, you guessed it, older people, so it wasn't an easy task. In June, one of the couples will be moving and so we're down to one set of friends. That, along with a few other things, is what prompted us to changed churches and we sure are glad we did. We have finally found a church and an area with a younger demographic, and one that is more our style. Needless to say, we'll be moving to that area so we can be closer to new friends and the younger 'up and coming' population.

We love older people...we do have grandparents after all, so please don't take this as a complaint. That said, here's to the younger (baby having) generation! Cheers!