Warren County is the kind of place that seems custom-made for every season on the calendar. It's tucked underneath the New York-Pennsylvania state line and just an hour or so from the lakeside town of Erie. A river runs through it—the Allegheny—strikingly picturesque at every bend.

But it's the hills that give the county its character. "Our hills are beautiful," says lifelong resident George Miller, who lives in Bear Lake on land that has been in his family since 1833. "In spring, we have the most vivid green in the world; in the fall, reds and yellows that take your breath." The summers aren't unbearably hot, the winters aren't unbearably cold. " Anyone can go out and feel like working," says George.

Or playing. On the east end of the county the Allegheny turns northward, and there the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are renowned spots for fishing and camping. The hills get steeper in the Allegheny National Forest—steep enough for skiing or a breathtaking snowmobile or ATV ride, depending on the season.

George's nephew Brad Miller and his wife, Suzanne, live on the family land now too; they made the transition from city life after living in New Jersey. Their three teenaged daughters—all city kids—suddenly found themselves working on a farm.

"Here, it's a lot more farming, a lot less TV," says Marjorie, who with her sister Miranda attends Eisenhower High School in nearby Russell. The schools here are "excellent, very competitive," says Miranda. Oldest daughter Amelia worked at the local farmers' market to earn college money.

"Here, I've gotten to watch my kids progress and change," says Brad. "There's something different about a kid in the country; they know what's important."

In fact, it seems no one who comes here can stay away for long. Todd and Lori Swanson returned to Todd's family land after living in Columbus, Ohio. "We would come visit his family and I'd say, 'When are we going to move here?'" says Lori.

Both are veterinarians, and their 7-year-old son Preston has an affinity for animals already; he tells his parents he wants to follow in their footsteps. "I wanted to tie him to the land; I wanted him to have the kind of childhood I had," says Todd. "This is how I wanted him to grow up." And Warren County—Todd's home—"was the perfect place for it."

More Info on the Web:
Community Services and Relocation Information
www.cityofwarrenpa.org
www.warrenpachamber.com