< I know that tomatoes give a really different experience from region to region>

Honestly there isn't any "regional" component to any variety IMO but there are garden to garden differences even within the same region. So it is the growing conditions provided in the individual garden that determines the success or failure of a particular variety.

And the native growing conditions vary widely within the mid-Atlantic region so when the individual grower adjusts them as needed it makes no difference to the plant if it is growing in PA, VA, OK, NE, or WY.

Granted the regional weather is mostly beyond your control and while a few heirloom varieties might be more affected by some aspects of weather, for the most part that same weather affects all parts of the country and all varieties equally.

So bottom line - just as with all of us, you can focus on flavor and grow any variety you wish. As long as you plant out at the proper time, provide well-amended soil rich in nutrients, provide consistent soil moisture levels while avoiding over-watering, provide good sun exposure, and closely monitor for and treat any pest and disease problems that develop.

So pick the type - determinate or indeterminate, the size - cherry, slicer, beefsteak, paste, or heart, and the color - red, pink, black, yellow, etc., tomatoes you want and then check out the many 'best" and "favorite' tomato discussions here on this forum where we all have listed our many favorites.

Dave

PS: and also be sure to check out all the tomato growing resources available from the PA State Extension service http://extension.psu.edu/search?SearchableText=tomatoes&x=0&y=0

Thanks for the perspective, and I make heavy use of the info at the PA State Ext., but I have a hard time believing that gardeners in NJ or DE have no more relevant information to offer me than one in VT or WA.

<but I have a hard time believing that gardeners in NJ or DE have no more relevant information to offer me than one in VT or WA.>

I understand what you are saying but it honestly is basically a new grower mis-conception. As an example here are links to some long discussions from over on the Mid-Atlantic Gardening forum here entitled "Favorite Tomatoes". As you browse through the many recommendations in it you'll note they are listing the same "favorites" as we all do here regardless of where we live.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2018339/favorite-tomatos?n=46

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2022195/tomatoes?n=25

And if you pull up the many discussions about MAGTAG (Mid-Atlantic Gardening Tomato Appreciation Gathering) an annual event that lists the winners and favorities each year you'll find many of the same varieties often recommended here by growers from all over the country - Brandywine, Black Krim, Cherokee Purple, Marianna's Peace, Indian Stripe, Arkansas Traveler, Brandy Boy, Sun Gold, Mortgage Lifter, Black Prince, etc. just to name a few. And the same varieties win at the Marin County, CA tastings, the Oregon tasting, the Texas tomato festivals, and many of the other tomato festivals held throughout the country.

Tomato varieties really don't care where you live as long as your growing season is long enough so that you don't have to eliminate the late season varieties and that the growing conditions you provide are what any tomato plant needs.

Hope this helps.

Dave

'So bottom line - just as with all of us, you can focus on flavor and
grow any variety you wish. As long as you plant out at the proper time,
provide well-amended soil rich in nutrients, provide consistent soil
moisture levels while avoiding over-watering, provide good sun exposure,
and closely monitor for and treat any pest and disease problems that
develop.'

I tend to agree with digdirt here, there is no way one size fits all answers due to the difficulty of uniform cultural practices and variability of weather and disease, even for others in your area. If you are just venturing into the world of tomato varieties, I'd plant a spectrum to get your hands dirty :-) 50/50 on some old flavorful hybrids now available, Ramapo, Moreton, Big Beef, and being in se PA, your special challenge has to be an appropriate Brandywine, and compare to Brandy Boy! If the finicky nature of Bw gets you, try Polish Giant which did great when the weather got colder here and I loved the taste and production. Don't forget Cherokee Purple or maybe Black Krim, CP is a must try and a sweet bi-color like Striped German and Kellogg's Breakfast give a fuller range.

Sometimes Jumping into less common varieties doesn't yield what you were after, so my tip would be to cover the basics that we like here and seem universally acclaimed, then you can decide...

cheers

PC

Agree with the others. It comes down to micro climate. Select the ones that interest and see which work best for you.