People & Places
Eastern USA appealing
The mid-Atlantic states of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, along with the District of Columbia, constitute a geographically and culturally diverse region where the north blends with the south
Whether you are after small-town life, the energy of a big city or a rural nook in the wilderness, eastern USA can cater for every lifestyle need, says Kate Baddeley.
So what would tempt you away from the tried and tested states of the US and towards a region steeped in America's dramatic history? The region is so vast it is hard to pin down in one sentence but there is any number of towns and cities that would suit a migrating British family. Virginia is an amiable rural state with some exclusive suburbs south of the capital and an abundance of historical sites. DC has it all on the weather front with its cold snowy winters, rainy springs, hot and humid summers and cool, crisp autumns. Maryland is an attractive option; home to many old towns, bustling ports and pristine beaches, while Pennsylvania is to often imagined to be a smoke filled state – a reputation earned by it being the world's foremost steel producer in the 19th century. But much of the region's heavy industry is a thing of the past, and the state is now so vast the towns intermingle with expanses of virtual wilderness. So which state is best for you and your family to settle in?
Maryland
In the 1920s, a reporter for National Geographic visited Maryland and dubbed the state 'America in Miniature'; well in the 21st century that nickname is as relevant as ever. Maryland really does have it all, from mountains to seashores – and everything is within about a three-hour drive of its biggest city, Baltimore.
Maryland remains a divided state by lifestyle, more than half of Marylanders work in service jobs or manufacturing, which have changed their focus from heavy industries such as steel to electronics and communications. Nearly 25 per cent of Marylanders works for the federal or state government – virtually all of these people live in Baltimore or the suburbs between Baltimore and Annapolis. And, of course, not forgetting the largest and most valuable estuary in the US: Chesapeake Bay produces more food crabs than anywhere else on earth, one-quarter of the nation's oyster harvest.
There is no question that Maryland is a fantastic place to enjoy the great outdoors; Maryland offers areas to hike, bike, fish, canoe, and camp. The state public lands offer outdoor recreational opportunities, from campsites and playgrounds to hunting areas and park trails. If there's a touch of Indiana Jones in you, then Western Maryland would be your ideal adventure playground. You'll find picturesque mountains that are perfect for hiking and white-water rapids just waiting to be tackled. Deep Creek Lake, the state's biggest man-made body of water, welcomes boaters and water skiers in warm weather; while Wisp, Maryland's ski resort, welcomes skiers in the winter.
Central Maryland is home to both Maryland's capital, Annapolis, and to its most populated city, Baltimore. Going to a baseball game is a traditional American pastime and one that is particularly enjoyable in Baltimore, largely due to the great Oriole Park at Camden Yard where the Baltimore Orioles play. There's enough shops to satisfy even the most ardent shoppers with clusters of antiques stores and a sprawling indoor market.
What makes Baltimore even more attractive is that within a few minutes drive of the big-city's hustle and bustle, you'll find serene pastures that are home to Maryland's thoroughbred horses, old mills and farms, and waterside villages. Whilst Southern Maryland, is where it all began way back in 1634 when 140 Europeans arrived to settle, don't think for a minute that this area's appeal is limited to those who enjoying delving into the past.
You'll be hard-pressed to find better bass fishing anywhere on the East Coast, and the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the Patuxent and Potomac rivers are a hit with boaters.
The attitude of the people you'll encounter in Maryland is an added bonus; there's a level of hospitality that makes it easy to understand why Maryland is considered a southern state.
District of Columbia
Maryland is a generous state; so generous, in fact, that in 1791 they donated the land that became DC. DC is a beautiful city studded with monuments and imposing architecture. Its museums and galleries offer access to some of the United State's best art. But during the last century DC suffered the stereotype of a 'southern backwater'. However, corporate commitment to the downtown area has created a spectacular sports arena, the MCI Centre, crime is at a 25-year low and new restaurants and clubs are popping up across the city. As a seat of global power, Washington residents are well informed, and politically savvy and you're never far from a debate on the latest national scandal.
It comes as no surprise that DC's economy largely depends on two major employers; the federal government and the service industry. The service sector is still growing with businesses related to tourism, legal services and education flourishing.
Virginia
"Virginia has many natural and developed assets, a world-class education system, national and international access and a diverse workforce that ensure the continued success of enterprise growth," Christie Miller Communications Manager of Virginia Economic Development Partnership explains. "These positive attributes are among the reasons Virginia was named the best-managed state in the country by Governing Magazine in early 2005."
Employment opportunities are fairly broad in Virginia, making it a good contender for your interest if you were moving solely for work purposes. As Miller emphasises, "The state offers many resources to both companies and individuals in terms of workforce development and training. Virginia's diverse economy offers a variety of job opportunities across the state". The state's economic base has traditionally been agricultural with tobacco being the most important crop. Tobacco is still very important along with other farm produce, such as apples, dairy, live stock and the famed Virginian ham.
Virginia's proximity to DC means there are many parts in the north of the state that are inhabited by people who commute to the capital. The military is a major employer in the region near DC (the pentagon is in Arlington). The primary employer is the manufacturing sector, however; transportation, furniture and chemicals are important industries. The third and forth largest employers are the wholesale and retail trades and services such as the booming travel industry. History loving Brits will love the fact that Virginia oozes history; practically every town seems to have some association with celebrated events and people.
Virginia is also endowed with remarkable natural features from mountains to coastal beaches. Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, located on the fall line of the James River. In 2005, Forbes ranked the city area as the 14th Best Place for Business and Careers, primarily due to its highly educated labour force and relatively low business costs.
Richmond has a significant art community, and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts is ranked as one of the best in the nation. In addition to many art venues there are attractions such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Richmond Symphony, and the Richmond Ballet. Richmond is popular with water sport enthusiasts as the city has the only urban whitewater rafting in the US. Two sections of the James River are runnable all year long. Canoes, kayaks, and rafts are seen on the river throughout the year. Norfolk is another of Virginia's large cities, located on the Elizabeth River, in Hampton Roads. The city has a long history as a strategic military and transportation point. Norfolk is home to the Norfolk Naval Base, the world's largest naval base. It has many miles of riverfront and bay-front property.
Pennsylvania
Often called 'the cradle of the American Nation', Pennsylvania is one of the US's most historic states. It was there that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drawn up by the Founding Fathers.
Today, two major cities dominate the state – Philadelphia, with its thriving metropolitan area, and Pittsburgh, a busy inland river port and major centre for educational and
technological advances. Philadelphia has the third-largest downtown residential population in the US, behind New York and Chicago. Its cultural diversity is reflected in the music and musicians who have come from Philadelphia, and the state's sizeable hip-hop community. Pittsburgh has a strong connection to sport. Not surprisingly American football is the major sport across the region on all levels; high school, college and professional. Baseball and hockey are also big draws as well as minor and school league basketball. Pittsburgh has more public swimming pools per capita than any other place in the world. Both cities are buzzing with great restaurants and nightlife.
Pennsylvania has a large, diverse group of manufacturing companies and within this group are some whose products have come to be household names. Among these products are Hershey bars from the The Hershey Company in Hershey and Heinz ketchup from the HJ Heinz Company in Pittsburgh. There are many other companies based in Pittsburgh, especially insurance, pharmaceutical, and steel corporations. Lancaster County is well known for its quality wood products such as furniture and sheds. Most of these are produced by Amish and Mennonite craftsmen and are shipped all over the country and throughout the world.
Pennsylvania has 89 miles of shoreline along the Delaware River estuary but is a landlocked state with no coastline bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Pennsylvania, with its rolling hills and historic battlefields, is one of America's most captivating states.
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