Moving to Lancaster County (Reading, Harrisburg: apartment, to rent, condo)

[firewalt34]

We currently live in the northern Philly suburbs and need to move more west for work reasons. We travel frequently and like to have easy access to the PA Turnpike and like the Lancaster area. So far we've been looking in the Denver/Reamstown/Stevens/Adamstown areas.


What is everyones thoughts on these areas? Any concerns that I should be aware of?

[Jeanie Beanie]

Fill in the sticky at the top of the page above your post. We need to know what you like about Lancaster...
The smell of shoofly in the air, the music scene, the old downtown rowhomes? Then we can advise you properly.

[firewalt34]

Not sure about the sticky thing. Really just looking for opinions of that general area. We like Lancaster because of the things to do on the weekends throughout the area as well as its location to major highways which is big for us due to work and play.

[Jeanie Beanie]

To help the members of the Pennsylvania forum guide you more quickly towards a compatible neighborhood and lifestyle, here are "just a few" starter questions to choose from.

PLEASE BOLD FONT YOUR PRIORITIES

(Thanks to solibs for "borrowing" this from another forum.)


When are you moving?
Where are you coming from?
Why are you moving?
Where will you be working?
Have you been here yet?

Will you buy or rent?
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend?
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children?
Do you prefer public or private schools?
Do you have pets?
Do you want or need a yard?
Are you keeping a car?
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet?

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?

Phillies, Pirates or Mets?
__________________

[firewalt34]

When are you moving? As soon as our current house sells. Hopefully in the next 60-90 days.
Where are you coming from? Doylestown, Bucks County
Why are you moving? Change in work locations.
Where will you be working? me - Harrisburg, Wife - Fort Washington
Have you been here yet? Driven through the area

Will you buy or rent? We are open to both at this point. We'd prefer to buy just because it is one less move, but if we don't find something we like we have no problem renting until then.
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House, somewhere in the 250000-300000 range.
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? How much can you spend? If we have to rent, we would be looking for a pet-friendly option.
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up?

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married with no children.
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public
Do you have pets? Yes, two dogs.
Do you want or need a yard? Yes
Are you keeping a car? Yes, we have 3 vehicles (one being a work vehicle) and a 32 foot trailer that we would like to keep at the house.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? A little of both. When we are home we like quiet. But we like to be able to go out and have some fun as well.

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) - This is the only priority for us really.
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Either works for us

Phillies, Pirates or Mets? Phillies...we were married at the Ballpark and the Phanatic even came to our wedding.

[Jeanie Beanie]

Sorry for the delay, but I thought someone more knowledgeable than I would chime in, as I'm a Berks County Booster primarily with some familiarity of the neighboring counties. Wow, you guys are going to have long commutes. Doable, but still... I think your idea of the Adamstown/Denver area is good. As long as you're okay with quiet, you're golden. Adamstown has a terrific library that puts on all kind of events and is quite the hub. I think Ephrata has a cute downtown and a few nice dining possibilities, but Ephrata puts you a little farther away from the Turnpike which you'll both have to take for the fastest commutes. Close to the 222 and 76 interchange would be ideal. You're halfway between Lancaster & Reading then and you can get out to see the Lancaster Barnstormers or the Fightin Phils in Reading quite easily, and it's cheap, too.

You guys aren't too fussy, so you should have no problem. Good luck finding the perfect house.