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Living in Pennsylvania
Thursday, May 25, 2023

What to Know About Buying in Erie, PA

Erie City Pennsylvania

What to Know About Buying in Erie, PA

Did you know that Erie, PA, is home to the “flagship” US Brig Niagara, an exact replica of the War of 1812 sailing ship? This magnificent vessel, moored at the Erie Maritime Museum, allows visitors to step back in time and experience the thrill of sailing aboard a historic tall ship. Beyond this fascinating fact, other interesting surprises await when you live in Erie. Pennsylvania’s only port city is an active destination thanks to the sandy beaches along one of Lake Erie’s best parks and a thriving cultural scene that includes microbreweries and juried art shows.

Are you considering moving to Erie, PA? You likely have many questions about life in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania. Join us as we uncover the captivating wonders of Erie, Pennsylvania, and why you’ll build cherished memories living in this city. We’ll also dish up some information about its cost of living and the real estate market.

Where is Erie, PA?

Boat dock in Erie PA

As mentioned, Erie is in northwest Pennsylvania, right on the Lake Erie shores. Pennsylvania only has about 26 miles of coastline on the lake, making Erie the only city in the state with a port. This has long made it essential for transporting goods.

I-90 runs southwest-northeast a few miles south of Erie, so locals can jump on the highway to reach Cleveland, OH, or Buffalo, NY, in about an hour and a half.

What is Erie, PA’s Background?

Believe it or not, Erie is over 200 years old. That makes it one of the older cities in the state despite being hundreds of miles from the coastline and Delaware River. Erie had a prime location for transporting frontier riches like furs, timber, and ore to destinations beyond. Those same resources were used in-house to support a flourishing shipbuilding industry.

The central location became even more vital during the War of 1812 when Lake Erie witnessed one of its battles. The port remained important during the Industrial Revolution as it could ship steel, iron, and other products to growing cities. Reliance on Erie as a shipping and manufacturing hub persisted through World War II, as area companies held many defense contracts.

Manufacturing and shipbuilding declined in the 1950s, leading to economic hardship. But Erie’s economy diversified into more service-oriented jobs, and the beautiful Presque Isle State Park continues to draw visitors every year, supporting a seasonal hospitality industry.

What is there to do in Erie, Pennsylvania?

Most people first encounter Erie’s charms by vacationing there. Just off the coast is Presque Isle State Park, a 3,200-acre peninsula that attracts around four million visitors annually. USA Today ranked it the nation’s best freshwater beach in its 10 Best Readers Choice rankings. All along the seven miles of sandy surf beaches are stunning views and world-famous sunsets. During the summer months, you can swim on the guarded beaches. But the beach is open all year for kite flying, hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking.

Niagara Ship docked in Erie PA port

While visitors are in town, they often go to the Bayfront District, the epicenter of museums and dining for Erie. The US Brig Niagara is one of those can’t-miss tours. Part of the Erie Maritime Museum, you can actually sail on this recreated vessel and learn about Erie’s role in the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie. The Waterfront Observation Tower is also in the Bayfront District. You might see Ontario, Canada, on a clear day if you pay to go to the top of the 138-foot platform.

You’ll also find people taking sailing tours out on the lake, or booking a cruise on the historic Victorian Princess paddlewheel boat, the Lady Kate boat tour, or the themed pirate ship.

Erie has many more family-friendly attractions. The youngest kids will delight at the Experience Children’s Museum, which targets ages 1 to 8. The interactive exhibit space invites them to explore the world. Older kids and those young at art will love Waldameer Park, Pennsylvania’s fourth oldest amusement park. Best of all, enjoying the traditional Midway games, classic slides and rides, and fair food is free. And the Erie Zoo puts on events all year, like ZooBoo and the Egg-Venture Easter Egg Hunt. See animals from Wild Asia or ride the Safariland Train.

Life in Lake Erie is very well-rounded. Not only do you have the attractions listed above, but Erie has a sports center with mini golf, beach volleyball courts, and go-cart driving. The Presque Isle Downs casino is a massive gaming complex with live entertainment lounges, 1,500 slot machines, gaming tables, and sports betting kiosks. The thriving downtown has arts and entertainment that includes the Erie Art Museum. It owns around 8,000 pieces that rotate through the exhibition.

Sports fans may not have professional sports in their backyard, but there are three minor-league affiliates in baseball, hockey, and soccer to throw support behind.

The dining scene is equally robust. Not only do you have beautiful waterfront dining venues that serve freshly caught seafood from the lake, but there’s a growing microbrewery scene. The Lake Erie Ale Trail highlights around 15 microbreweries along the lakefront in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states. There are also around six craft distilleries that have popped up in Erie.

What is the cost of living in Erie, PA?

As you can see, Erie has a lot going for it. But does that activity come with a high price tag, especially knowing it’s a popular tourist destination for the region?

Cost of living in Erie PA

For a waterfront community, Erie is incredibly affordable. On Sperling’s Best Places Index, where 100 represents the national average expenditure, Erie is about 21% cheaper than most of the United States. The only spending category that ran above average was your miscellaneous costs, including child care, entertainment, and personal care.

Housing is where you will realize the most cost savings, which is good news because this is usually the largest line item in someone’s budget. The typical housing costs ran about 52% cheaper.

And not only were these expenses less than the national average, but every single category also fell below the Pennsylvania averages. For example, housing was around 32% less expensive, while transportation averaged 22% less! Your pocketbook will be very happy.

What is the average cost of Erie real estate?

Real estate costs naturally fluctuate in tandem with changes to the economy. But, using April 2023 and May 2023 as a snapshot, we can give you an idea of where Erie’s real estate market stands.

The April 2023 list price was $170,000, around 7.6% more year-over-year. The median square foot price was $121.

In May 2023, Erie had 488 listings ranging in price from $4,500 for a vacant lot to $1.9 million for a historic 11,743 sq ft home on 30 acres.

What are some neighborhoods in Erie, PA?

Erie has some fantastic places to live, around 31 recognized neighborhoods, in fact. Based on the data from May 2023, Glenwood Hills had the highest median list price at $500,000, while the most affordable neighborhood was Central East Side at $60,000.

While we won’t cover them all, here are a few communities to familiarize you with Erie. A local real estate agent will be your best resource to find the neighborhood with the right combination of factors you want.

Downtown

The urban lifestyle has become more appealing to people who want to live a more pedestrian-friendly lifestyle and be close to perks like dining, shopping, and entertainment. Downtown Erie not only has the essentials covered with fitness studios, dry cleaning businesses, hair salons, and coffee houses but also has some great places to live with apartments, townhomes, and some single-family homes. Some multifamily options are built-in refurbished commercial buildings, which adds to the area’s character.

Other perks include being near the business center of Erie, where you can work at the county government, the UPMC Hamot Hospital, Erie Insurance, or Gannon University.

Little Italy

Even if you don’t live here, you will likely hear a lot about Little Italy and probably go there for a meal at some point. Italian immigrants settled in this section of town, attracted to work the railroads that flanked the community. These laborers were essential to Erie’s manufacturing power and growth.

In its heyday, Little Italy spanned around nine city blocks with around 3,000 people living there. Today it has some iconic restaurants and interesting real estate. It had 17 homes for sale at a median of $82,000.

Love Farm

The Love family originally owned this area, having been in the Erie area since the 1800s. Some family members still live nearby, which is a testament to its charm. This community is known for its scenic rolling hills, manicured lots, and mature landscaping. The sidewalks are perfect for bike riding or walking around the neighborhood. The Love Farm subdivision has around 240 homes built during the 1990s.

Frontier Park

Frontier Park has a reputation as a beautiful community with many recreation options. It’s along the lakefront and near the Niagara Pier. This west-side neighborhood surrounds the namesake park. Locals bring the kids to the playground, have a lovely spring day picnic, or walk around the trails. Frontier Park had two homes for sale at $240,000-$315,000.

Glenwood

Highly desirable, Glenwood is the city’s most expensive area. Part of this is because of its terrific location. It’s right off Old French Road, just a few blocks from downtown. Either within the community boundaries or right next door, you have the Erie Veterans Administration Medical Center, the Erie Zoo, and Glenwood Park. The homes here are on tree-lined streets and tend to be well-maintained. Glenwood had six homes at a median price of $500,000.

West Bayfront

This neighborhood has been a center of revitalization efforts. Some perks include lakefront living, numerous parks, and easy access to Erie attractions like the Bayfront Convention Center, the Marina, and the Maritime Museum. It’s also easy to hop on the Presque Isle Bay ferry from the neighborhood for a quick journey to the peninsula and its beaches. The eight homes for sale had a median price of $100,000.

South East Erie/South East Hills

The perks of living in this neighborhood include a location near the VA Medical Center and Mercyhurst University. Inside the neighborhood, residents have Hillside Park as their local green space. Access to Greater Erie is also advantageous, as you can take Old French Rd and Hwy. 8 to downtown. May 2023 had seven homes for sale at a median price of $140,000.

Mill Creek Township

Erie is rather compact and small when you look at it on the map. That’s why some of the surrounding developments and townships are worth looking at. Millcreek Township is Erie’s largest suburb, located directly south and west of the city. It also has direct access to Presque Isle Bay State Park. At 54,000 residents, it’s the most populated area in western Pennsylvania. The perks here include fast access to the local airport and Waldameer Park.

Harborcreek Township

Harborcreek Township surrounds Erie’s east side. It has multiple housing options, including waterfront real estate, some suburban master-planned developments, and more rural areas if you prefer to own several acres. May 2023 had 14 listings ranging from $20,000 up to $750,000.

Is there a waterfront living in Erie, PA?

Erie PA skyline ship port view

Naturally, Erie will have waterfront homes available, but the ones along Lake Erie or with lake views will be at a premium. In exchange, you’ll see some spectacular sunsets from your back door. Some May 2023 listings were new construction, and there were some condos.

Are there golf course communities in Erie?

Just outside Erie in Harborcreek Township, there is an opportunity to buy vacant lots and newly built homes around the Harbor Creek Golf Course. These homes have the added perk of being extremely close to I-90 if you need to commute.

Lawrence Park may also have homes around the golf course, although this is not a formal community.

Lake Shore Country Club does have homes built around its facilities. The custom-built homes built date to the 1960s and 70s, with stunning views of the lake or the golf course.

How is golf in Erie, PA?

Part of the charm of living in Erie is the selection of golf courses to play. These courses are renowned for gorgeous lake views and beautiful natural settings.

Joseph C Martin is a nine-hole executive course. By reputation, it is an excellent course for young and beginning players, rated par 32 at 2,284 yards of play. But if you do want a longer course, Downing Golf Course plays from 7,200 yards at the back tees. It’s 18 holes, rated par 72, and has hosted many local golf championship tournaments. The city operates both courses.

Whispering Woods Golf Club is a semi-private option that opened in 2003. John Exley designed the golf course to feel like a private club and to leverage the landscape.

Lawrence Park Golf Club is a fully private option. The historic course is now over a century old and plays at 6,494 yards with a par 72 rating. The facilities include a grill room, a full-service pro shop, and patio dining overlooking hole nine.

Lake Shore Country Club opened in 1929 as a private golf club that uses a blended tee system to accommodate all skill levels. The lake views are second to none, and members can also benefit from the club’s tennis, swimming, fitness, and social event facilities.

What else should you know about living in Erie, PA?

Anyone who lives in Erie needs to appreciate the winter climate. The lake creates lake-effect snow, which means the town experiences higher snowfall totals than other parts of Pennsylvania. One of the town’s nicknames is the “Snow Capital of Pennsylvania.” So if you like ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other winter sports, you are in the right place. But that also means you must be equipped for winter and digging out your car and home after blizzards.

Erie PA art museum

Several colleges are in Erie. Mercyhurst is a private liberal arts and science university that emphasizes experiential learning. Gannon University is a private Catholic school dating to 1925. Erie is also home to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine LECOM, a private medical school and health center in the top 100 medical schools for research and primary care. These add to the city’s intellectual capital and resources.

The medical school, plus the VA Medical Center, help Erie provide its citizens with a robust healthcare system, including specialized clinics and hospitals to meet many needs.

Today Erie’s economy is diversified, although manufacturing does remain important. Erie Insurance is actually one of the city’s largest employers, right after healthcare and government work.

So, if life in Erie sounds appealing to you, we recommend contacting a local real estate agent who can answer all of your questions about calling Erie, PA, home.

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Preston Guyton

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