Raystown Lake anyone?

angel o' mercy · Jan 15, 2008

I also own property near Raystown Lake; Weavers Falls Boat Launch area. Started going up in the early 90s and loved it so much that we stayed. I worked as an on-call CNA in a SNF (all the hours I could get. The only reason I even got that job was because the woman who had it before me was killed in a car accident.) maybe 16 hours a week and than also part time at JC Blair Hospital, Huntingdon, in the lab as a Histology Tech. assistant(They eventually eliminated my position due to cutbacks) Hubby did construction. He made $9.00/hr . Our highest combined income living up there ten years ago was $22,000. We lasted 4 years before we came back to Philly area. Why you ask? NO WORK!!! NO MONEY TO BE MADE!!!! Huntingdon County (which by the way, Raystowne Lake winds through) has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state last I checked. I interviewed out the whazoo. Plenty of experience, no availbale positions in healthcare at that time. So we left, but held onto the property for weekends and hunting. Couldnt leave all together. Too beautiful up there.

Since moving back to Philly, got my RN and hubby has a great job also. I long to move back up there with the hopes of getting a job as an RN but dont feel it is a wise move. Job market is just too tight in that area. The cost of living is low, but so is the earning potential. I cant see leaving my $56.00/hr weekend position to get a job making $20.-21.00/hr possibly only part time. I even considered keeping my weekend position here and commuting,(3 1/2 hr drive) but thought better of it.

If you dont need to make a lot of money than I say, give it a shot. Otherwise, I suggest securing a job there before making a permanent move. It is so beautiful in that area, but dont be lured by the scenery. It is not going to pay your bills. :nono:

annaedRN, RN · Jan 15, 2008

Thanks for your input! It sounds like it may be better to keep it as a vacation place! Maybe when I retire...YEARS away!!! Do you still vacation there? I am in the Cassville area and have friends in Shy Beaver area.

wearingmanyhats, RN · Jan 21, 2008

I also love going up there... we camp at least one week a year at the Resort Campground. There certainly isn't much in the way of jobs(of any type) there. Lots of open spaces. I can't even imagine where you might look for work, except perhaps private duty (but can only imagine the distance one might have to drive)

angel o' mercy · Jan 26, 2008

We go up there to get away from the city life. It is so relaxing, the views, the lake, lack of traffic. Our long term goal is retire there . In the mean time we will continue to visit. We have been going up since 1989. I know the Shy Beaver area. We had a boat when we lived up there. You have to experience the lake from the other side of the shore line.

LydiaNN · Jan 26, 2008

Dunno a thing about jobs or facilities in the area, but I couldn't believe I saw a title that says Raystown Lake. I grew up between Pittsburgh and State College and one of the best things about summer was trips to Raystown!

annaedRN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

We have a pontoon boat and love going out on the water! It has gotten SO busy on the water during the weekends that it becomes it's own "rat race"...I like to take long weekends and go out on a Mon or a Fri. The more my hubby and I talk about it I think that we will probably wait to move there when we retire...but he is 8 yrs older than I, so I will still need/want to work. I do HH now, but I think with all the mountain lanes it could make finding and getting to homes often difficult. I do love a good adventure though!! Isn't it funny to think that we could have passed each other on the lake!!!

angel o' mercy · Jan 29, 2008

We have a pontoon boat and love going out on the water! It has gotten SO busy on the water during the weekends that it becomes it's own "rat race"...I like to take long weekends and go out on a Mon or a Fri. The more my hubby and I talk about it I think that we will probably wait to move there when we retire...but he is 8 yrs older than I, so I will still need/want to work. I do HH now, but I think with all the mountain lanes it could make finding and getting to homes often difficult. I do love a good adventure though!! Isn't it funny to think that we could have passed each other on the lake!!!

I can speak from experience that the weather up there can be hairy in the winter. Couldnt get over a mountain one winter night. A sheet of ice. I had to back up in reverse down the mountain and go back to work and sleep there for the night. But I would do it all over again in a second if the economy there was suitable. Its just a better way of life up there.

RNontheroad · Jan 29, 2008

All this talk of Raystown Lake is making me homesick!

annaedRN, RN · Jan 29, 2008

All this talk of Raystown Lake is making me homesick!

Are you a traveler? ( Judging by your name) Did you grow up around Raystown? If so...did you ever work around here and if so, what was your experience?

I cannot wait until it warms up! Friday night we load up the kid and the dog and pile in the truck and make our way to the mountains. Then hit the lake on Sat. and around the fire Sat night!

RNontheroad · Jan 29, 2008

Are you a traveler? ( Judging by your name) Did you grow up around Raystown? If so...did you ever work around here and if so, what was your experience?

Yes I am a traveler currently working at a hospital in Arizona. Home is PA, near Harrisburg. I worked in Harrisburg prior to hitting the road 1 year ago.

We used to go camping every summer at Raystown. I have many fond memories of the area.

angel o' mercy · Jan 30, 2008

Are you a traveler? ( Judging by your name) Did you grow up around Raystown? If so...did you ever work around here and if so, what was your experience?
I cannot wait until it warms up! Friday night we load up the kid and the dog and pile in the truck and make our way to the mountains. Then hit the lake on Sat. and around the fire Sat night!

Every time I go up, I get melancholy when it is time to go home. I guess becuase I know what waits for me when I get off the blue route.

We have a trailer with a creek in back that is about 9 ft deeop in the center. It is like ice water in the middle of the summer. We set up our chairs on the bank and light a fire. When family comes up with us, they bring campers and tents and stay with us. We are 10 minutes from the resort . We hit the flea markets, cook out, just relax. Everyone I have ever brought to Raystowne country falls in love with the area.

FYI... I dont know if they still do this but several years back the resort would have fireworks Friday night, maybe it was Saturday, I dont remember, but that is something fun to do while your their and the resort has a pretty awesome summer/fall activity schedule. I cant wait to get up there again. Hubby opens trailer opening weekend of trout season and closes it after doe season is over.