Happy Valley nationally ranked as top place to live and launch

It’s not the setting for a fairytale, but Happy Valley is producing beautiful beginnings and happily-ever-afters for more than Penn State’s 40,000-plus students. Young professionals, entrepreneurs, growing companies and more are finding central Pennsylvania is the ideal place growing their careers, innovations and businesses.

When the Happy Valley area started appearing in national rankings, praise revolved mostly around lifestyle. The area was named “Least Stressful Town in the U.S.” by Psychology Today in 1988. Soon after it made lists for safety, health, walkability and recreation — traits it shares with many college towns.

Fast-forward to today and Happy Valley is gaining recognition that reflects how Penn State has fused education, research and business to create an environment that’s conducive for starting and growing businesses.

CNNMoney credits the highly-educated workforce and resources of Penn State as benefits in its top 100 places to live and launch, as well a ‘vibrant downtown’ and exploring the beautiful Allegheny region.

Livability.com named it one of the best cities for entrepreneurs, with statistics on venture capital deals, how much funding business owners received from SBA and 7(a) loans and how much money residents spent within their community. Personal finance company ValuePenguin named State College as a top city for new students to launch. Best College Reviews calls it “one of the smartest towns in America.”

Overlay these new accolades on a region that’s just 3-4 hours from New York, Philly, and Baltimore/DC, and earns high marks for quality of life, and you have one happy valley.