Where to live in Harrisburg, PA (Carlisle, Colonial Park: townhouse, neighborhoods, law school)

[sparkle 721]

I am a recent college grad and am heavily considering taking a position in the Harrisburg area. Does anyone have suggestions on the best places to live both in the city, and any suburbs that are good for young professionals? Maybe the more safer places? I have never lived in that part of PA so I would appreciate all the help I can get! Thanks!!

[go phillies]

You're probably better off posting this in the general Pennsylvania forum, but from being around the Harrisburg area a little bit, I'd say Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, Colonial Park, Hershey, Palmyra, Hummelstown, Middletown are all good towns. If you don't mind being in a more rural setting, Millersburg is a nice little town, but its probably a pain to drive to Harrisburg from there in the winter, you have to drive up and down a steep mountain.

[greentown]

My sister lives near Linglestown in a community where she rents a townhouse (Blue Mountain?). It seems like a nice area from the times we've visited and I've never heard her mention any crime. It is definitely more of a rural/suburban area, but only a few exits down from downtown Harrisburg.

[The Commish]

I wouldn't live anywhere but Midtown Harrisburg.

It's only a couple minute car ride/taxi cab back to the bars and restaurants on 2nd St. There's also an outstanding farmer's market called the Broad Street Market. As a recent college graduate and young professional, being near the center of the action is probably important to you. It's also likely close to your workplace. But if commute times and being close to city amenities don't do much for you, then the places go phillies named are fine. (That is, if you like mind-numbingly boring suburbia and 20-30 minute commutes into the city. Harrisburg traffic is notoriously bad.)

One particular place I'd recommend elsewhere downtown is Pennsylvania Place. It's just a block or two from 2nd St. bars, restaurants, a Starbucks, the Whitaker Center, etc. And it's literally adjacent to the Harrisburg Amtrak terminal.

Whatever you do, I recommend you join Harrisburg Young Professionals.

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by The Commish

I wouldn't live anywhere but Midtown Harrisburg.

It's only a couple minute car ride/taxi cab back to the bars and restaurants on 2nd St. There's also an outstanding farmer's market called the Broad Street Market. As a recent college graduate and young professional, being near the center of the action is probably important to you. It's also likely close to your workplace. But if commute times and being close to city amenities don't do much for you, then the places go phillies named are fine. (That is, if you like mind-numbingly boring suburbia and 20-30 minute commutes into the city. Harrisburg traffic is notoriously bad.)

One particular place I'd recommend elsewhere downtown is Pennsylvania Place. It's just a block or two from 2nd St. bars, restaurants, a Starbucks, the Whitaker Center, etc. And it's literally adjacent to the Harrisburg Amtrak terminal.

Whatever you do, I recommend you join Harrisburg Young Professionals.

I'm tempted!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >>>>truce......

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by The Commish

I wouldn't live anywhere but Midtown Harrisburg.

It's only a couple minute car ride/taxi cab back to the bars and restaurants on 2nd St. There's also an outstanding farmer's market called the Broad Street Market. As a recent college graduate and young professional, being near the center of the action is probably important to you. It's also likely close to your workplace. But if commute times and being close to city amenities don't do much for you, then the places go phillies named are fine. (That is, if you like mind-numbingly boring suburbia and 20-30 minute commutes into the city. Harrisburg traffic is notoriously bad.)

One particular place I'd recommend elsewhere downtown is Pennsylvania Place. It's just a block or two from 2nd St. bars, restaurants, a Starbucks, the Whitaker Center, etc. And it's literally adjacent to the Harrisburg Amtrak terminal.

Whatever you do, I recommend you join Harrisburg Young Professionals.

Good post. Midtown or Downtown is for you.

I have seen a lot of posts recently from college grads or students moving to Harrisburg...great news for the city!

[sparkle 721]

thank you for all of your help! I will look into these places if I decide to move there!
on the opposite note is there anywhere you would NOT live, esp as far as the more downtown/midtown areas?

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by sparkle 721

thank you for all of your help! I will look into these places if I decide to move there!
on the opposite note is there anywhere you would NOT live, esp as far as the more downtown/midtown areas?

In midtown, I wouldn't recommend living along 6th street or above Kelker/east of 3rd. That area really just hasn't gentrified enough yet.

[go phillies]

Originally Posted by sparkle 721

thank you for all of your help! I will look into these places if I decide to move there!
on the opposite note is there anywhere you would NOT live, esp as far as the more downtown/midtown areas?

I would say to avoid pretty much anywhere outside of Midtown in the city of Harrisburg. I'm sure there are some other decent parts, but my impressions of Harrisburg has been that downtown is nice, and the rest is basically ghetto. If you have kids or plan on having kids and don't want to have to pay for private school, I would recommend the suburbs. Harrisburg schools are among the worst in the state.

I know its a 20 mile drive from Harrisburg, but I always liked Carlisle. Its not bland suburbia, has a pretty nice downtown of its own...you don't really have to drive to Harrisburg for everything. Nice historic town...home to a college and a law school.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by go phillies

I would say to avoid pretty much anywhere outside of Midtown in the city of Harrisburg. I'm sure there are some other decent parts, but my impressions of Harrisburg has been that downtown is nice, and the rest is basically ghetto. If you have kids or plan on having kids and don't want to have to pay for private school, I would recommend the suburbs. Harrisburg schools are among the worst in the state.

I know its a 20 mile drive from Harrisburg, but I always liked Carlisle. Its not bland suburbia, has a pretty nice downtown of its own...you don't really have to drive to Harrisburg for everything. Nice historic town...home to a college and a law school.

Carlisle is a cool little place but has a lot of conservative old townies and college students. Midtown is definetely where it's at for someone fresh out of college (especially if you are working in HBG, why commute on 81 yuck).

And there are actually lots of neighborhoods in Harrisburg that are fine such as Riverside, Shipoke and Bellevue Park. That being said there are also areas of the city with lots of crime, but we are not talking North Philly here.