Why Happy Valley?
Happy Valley is an entrepreneurial hot spot that means business, but also boasts a playful side. Living among the region’s rolling ridges and valleys, you can have the best of it all. Big-city amenities like world-class restaurants, theaters and festivals sit close to miles of hiking and biking trails, plus acres of farmland. A vibrant community welcomes newcomers and diversity. Plus, you’ll experience an affordable cost of living, all while being just a short drive or flight from some of the country’s top destinations.
Really — What more could you need?
The Happy Valley accolades speak for themselves...
Retirement and Senior Living
Happy Valley combines relaxation and adventure with vibrant activities, great amenities, and easy access to healthcare. Celebrate your golden years in a community that truly has it all!
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We’re Winning at Winter, and No One Does Four Seasons Like Happy Valley
Let’s be honest, we’re crushing it.
While others are dreaming of warmer weather, Happy Valley is out here winning at winter. From packed trivia nights and buzzing brewpubs to snowy hikes, ski runs, and full house crowds cheering for Penn State sports, the energy is real.
And this is just the start. In Happy Valley, we don’t just survive the seasons, we celebrate every single one.
Now, with Spring Break and Daylight-Saving Time both landing on March 8, it’s the perfect moment to fill your calendar with connection, creativity, and pure local joy.
The co.space: An Ongoing Experiment in Connection, Community, and Becoming
Over a decade ago, we started an experiment in downtown State College.
It began with a few simple questions:
What might be possible if people were more intentional about how—and who—they lived with?
What if housing wasn’t just a place to land at the end of the day, but a place that actively shaped who you were becoming?
What if we could retain creative young professionals in our town—through a unique housing model—who were passionate about making Happy Valley an amazing community to call home?
Those questions became the seed of the co.space.
The Four Who Honored October in January
Mark Wimmer ’94 drove from Boston. Seven hours each way.
Brian Laird ’89 and Steve Brown ’90 came from Pittsburgh.
Steve Balkey ’88 was the local. The boots-on-the-ground logistics lead. The quiet cruise director who knew where to go, when to arrive, and how to make the weekend work.
All four were student-athletes under legendary Penn State coach Harry Groves. Distance runners with three competitive seasons; Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track and field. Full school year competition, full commitment. They learned delayed gratification, time management, and how to show up when your body tells you to quit.
That was 35+years ago.
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Friend-raising to fundraising.
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BEST TOWN IN PENNSYLVANIA, NICHE, 2018
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TOP 15 BEST U.S. CITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURS TO LIVE AND LAUNCH, ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE, 2016
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NO. 5 BEST SUMMER FESTIVALS, LIVABILITY, 2013
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NO. 7, THE BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS, FORBES, 2018
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TOP ADVENTURE TOWN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, 2011
