Help is it possible to live in Baltimore and commute to harriburg, pa area for school? (neighborhood, theater) - City-Data Forum

sw1242 · 11-24-2009, 04:18 PM

(orginally posted this in the PA thread but made changes)

I am going to Penn State Harrisburg (middletown) campus in the spring for Grad School. After review of the area I think I would prefer somewhere like Baltimore, or Philly - more hip/diverse: it has come to my attention that the Balimore commute is only 1 hour 23 min commute (but never drove it so dont know how bad that commute is).

So If you have or know this drive is it feasible for me to drive two days out the week M and T from 6pm to 9pm for class? Also Is there a cheap train route so I dont have to use my car all the time?

or should I just settle into Harrisburg, pa and give it up... I just like bigger cities I guess...

please let me know the spring semester is creeping up on me.....

ajacksb · 11-24-2009, 08:36 PM

I understand wanting to live in Philly or Baltimore - having lived in the Harrisburg area, it's a place with a lot of big-city problems without big-city amenities and culture.

Being that you only have class 2 days a week, the commute would be feasible. Unfortunately, there is no train service between the two cities. If you're traveling during evening rush hour, I'd budget at least 2 hours for the trip, though.

carthell · 11-27-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajacksb

If you're traveling during evening rush hour, I'd budget at least 2 hours for the trip, though.

I doubt that the traffic situation on I-83 has gotten any better. A few years ago on a day off, I decided to go to PA during a late weekday afternoon just because. Previously, I had driven on two Sundays and one midnight run on New Year's Eve. Not much traffic, very quick drive on the previous outings.

Not this time.

I managed to force my way off the highway around Padonia Rd., exit 20, because the northbound lanes narrowed from 3 to 2, and the high volume of PA-bound commuters didn't decrease.

I hope the school you're going to has enough positive attributes to overcome the negatives of such a commute, because I'm not sure whether I'd put up with it even if it is just two days out of the week.

are you kidinme? · 11-30-2009, 07:25 AM

Is it possible? Yes. Is it advisable? No. The time of day is the issue. I think you'll come to regret it even if it's only two days.

davecj · 12-17-2009, 05:57 PM

I live in Baltimore and am York College '05.

Personally I couldn't stand the drive to York much less another 30 miles on 83N. Plus if there are any accidents either North or South, well kiss your commute good bye. The Amish will be outrunning you on their horses and buggies.

Davros · 12-19-2009, 10:53 PM

Yikes ! That's 1.5 hours with no traffic. With traffic, it'd be a nightmare I think. And don't think there's no traffic in Harrisburg. There's lots of construction going on.

I would recommend living in Harrisburg. Try the PA forum to find out where a good place is. I think you'd find it "city enough" for while you're in school. You won't be living there forever after all. You could also split the difference and live in York, I guess. But I don't know of any reason why you ought to do that. Harrisburg isn't as small as you might think.

mrboltonman · 01-04-2010, 04:30 PM

trust him, he knows everything

atariwhizkid · 01-05-2010, 07:23 AM

You could take a commuter bus from Baltimore to York, then jump in an Amish buggy up to Harrisburg...

Bong477 · 01-05-2010, 01:45 PM

Its doable if you really wanted to, but what you'd probably have to do is leave baltimore around 2, maybe 3pm at the latest and study or whatever until class starts.

Baltimore (in my opinion) isn't worth it. I barely tolerate living here and my commute is 10 minutes, 5 of which are in a parking garage.

danwxman · 01-05-2010, 08:33 PM

Harrisburg has a vibrant downtown full of restaurants, bars and night clubs. There are several museums, art galleries and performance theaters. I'd hardly call it lacking any big city culture. If you haven't been here in ten years, you've missed a lot.

It's not a big city, but it's the "biggest" small city you will find in PA. Easy train ride to Philly or Balt if you want a true big city experience. I'd recommend downtown or the nearby midtown neighborhood which is gentrifying and burgeoning with coffee shops, a very large new bookstore, market and art galleries.