Looking to move to Palmyra, Hershey area...any advice? (Reading: insurance, mortgage)

[melrader]

My Husband and I are looking to move to the Hershey, Palmyra, Annville area. I'll be working in Harrisburg and he will be in Wernersville near Reading.

We like all three Hershey, Palmyra, Annville - but havent been there enough to really know where to buy a home.

We're moving from city life - we've lived in Baltimore, Dallas TX, and Philly - so it will be somewhat of an adjustment. We tend to like older homes with character not the neighborhoods with new homes that all look the same. We prefer neighbors where you can go for walks. If possible to be able to walk to some conveniences - coffee shop, store, etc - we realize its not a big city so that may not be possible but at least a neighborhood where kids can play and we can go for walks.

Right now its the two of us but we are planning to start a family. We are 1st time home buyers so any advice about the area would be VERY appreciated.

[ki0eh]

US 422 is slow slow slow going. Hershey still does have a neighborhood market (Pronio's) on a side street on the west side of the core Hershey village area, but not much else for walkable convenience. The Derry Twp schools and church activities tend to be scheduled assuming stay-at-home moms, not double commuting couples.

Palmyra would be more affordable other things being equal, and generally quieter. It has routine shopping like Walmart and Lowe's that Hershey lacks. As a first cut approximation, Hershey has the doctors from the Med Center and Palmyra has the nurses.

Along the US 422 corridor and paralleling it to the south you really need to watch out for (no joke) sinkholes. Don't skip the sinkhole insurance if you're on the limestone formation even if they will let you get a mortgage without it. This applies to all of Hershey, Palmyra, and Annville.

Since you folks have experience with larger cities, have you considered Lancaster City? It will have much higher walkability and more things going on, although both good and ill. The west side especially has character-filled preWWII detached homes.