State College Pennsylvania resident complains about students moving to the town to attend Penn State University: 'The school is older than the town itself'

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Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Aug 15, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

There are a lot of towns that are only good for one reason. Most people would not live in College Station if Texas A&M University wasn't there. In fact, the city probably wouldn't exist at all if not for the University. While the traditional "company town" has largely gone extinct in the United States (I'm looking at you, Gary Indiana), a towns ability to thrive economically often directly correlates with the quality of life. There's a reason why Manhattan is such a sought-after location; it is the economic center of the United State, and arguably the world! 

If you live in a city with something that draws in new residents like a college, a thriving nightlife scene, or a booming industry, there are bound to be residents who complain about the fact that the area is growing. After all, shouldn't they be able to enjoy their town without loud young people moving in and taking up precious housing and resources? This argument doesn't hold as much water as townies think it does, because in many places, tourists and new residents are keeping them in a job. Living in a booming place is nearly always superior to living somewhere with virtually no economic growth, or with economic decline.

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