Moving to Dover, York County (Hanover, Hershey: apartment, theatres, schools)

[chrisnconnormomma]

Hi. We moved here to Dover from Baltimore. We have had no problems with the school system or the people here. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming. We love it here. As for the schools, they seem to be much better than Baltimore schools. There are NO trailers on the property and the Middle and High school offer so much more learning activities. They have a horticulture program and a swim team. When we registered our son at his new school, the principle himself took us around on a tour and introduced us to everyone there.

If anyone needs a friend while moving here, feel free to contact me. We've only been here 5 months so we don't know where everything is yet, but we do know quite a bit. We have been driving up from Baltimore the past year trying new routes and checking out all the places.

[Moving from Toronto]

We ended up choosing a community just outside of New Oxford. Much closer to my job and close to Hanover for the YMCA activities and shopping and such. We expect to be in the area in the latter part of April.

Thanks for the offer of advice on the areas. We will be doing a lot of touring around to figure out the best places for the wee ones to pass time etc.

[sunsetcliff]

Dover: a buddy left in part, due to on street parking car defacing. He said it was section 8 ppl. He lived in a nice subdivision. So if you have a decent car- look for off street parking. Proferably in garage.

[rockky]

Originally Posted by sunsetcliff

Dover: a buddy left in part, due to on street parking car defacing. He said it was section 8 ppl. He lived in a nice subdivision. So if you have a decent car- look for off street parking. Proferably in garage.

That seems very odd for Dover, PA.

Perhaps your buddy lived in Dover, DE?

[markf_07]

I am from York im hispanic and lived in Dover for a little while. I came from Central York and going to dover was a disappointment. The school itself has a bad education although they try. I wont try to scare you but I hated it. I never had a problem with racism untill I moved there. I think that they are too biased because there is a story of a kid having oregano posed as marujuana planted on him by other students. The other students were recently the cause of a stir because of threats of violence but they got a slap on the wrist. These students were white while the other student puerto rican was suspended for 10 days, not very right. Dover's economy is very poor as well as I once worked with a relative of the treasurer. Most people do stay to themselves but the whole redneck thing is so old. If you work outside of Dover traffic is hell because there are only a few roads out and there are a lot of people that work outside of Dover

[brandre]

Originally Posted by c-n-bmore

I am moving from Baltimore in a few months. I posted this question yesterday ("anything good to say") and did not receive a response. Is there anyone in or near Dover out there? I am married, we have young children. I'm looking for someone who has had a positive experience with Dover public schools? What are the neighborhoods like? Will we really be treated like unwelcomed outsiders? (as I have read on a previous thread) Can anyone new to the area give some feedback?

The dover schools would not be my first choice in York County but they are very high on the list. I would have rated Central, West York, Dallastown and Red Lion better academically but Dover is probably next and it has some other plusses. It is far from a bad choice.

BTW, my kids were in Dover for the first years and I was not concerned at all, the system is better now than in 1973.

Just be involved as a parent, that is more important than the school.

There is some clannishness in York county but it is far better now than 40 years ago, and if you are genuine it goes away quickly. York countians think they live in a good place, if you go around badmouthing the area, they will consider you an outsider 20 years after you come. If you get with the program of looking for things to do to make it better and being a part of it, you will be and relatively quickly.

Forty years ago minorities had a tough road in the area. Today the upscale suburban areas are open, not only legally but socially. There is probably more social resistance to minorities in the middle to lower blue collar areas and that is getting better - and it is better than the upscale ones were 20 years ago.

Dover is good... Really... But avoid moving to Hanover if you are not an "American" as they put it. That is redneck country. There was open KKK activity not too many years ago, it has quieted but that usually means it is underground. The last of this I have seen in the York area was nearly 20 years ago 87-90) the KKK came in from the outside and handed out literature in West York. It did not gain traction there.

[Crocostimpy]

My family and I moved to Dover from NW Ohio a few years ago. We moved there because it was the only place we cold afford to build a house. After living there for a while though I have to say that we love it. It's a quiet community, but not far from all the shopping on the west side of York. We think the schools are very good. My 8th and 3rd graders are doing quite well. Their teachers are very good and care about the kids.

Our subdivision is very nice. The people living there are wonderful. Quite a few have moved there from Baltimore because it's much more affordable. Mostly young families. Lots of kids, and soon to be some new babies. A couple of our neighbors are expecting.

All that being said, due to a new job we are moving to the Chicago area. It's going to be tough leaving the quiet kind of life for the hubbub of Chicagoland.

[onmywaytoPA]

Originally Posted by c-n-bmore

I am moving from Baltimore in a few months. I posted this question yesterday ("anything good to say") and did not receive a response. Is there anyone in or near Dover out there? I am married, we have young children. I'm looking for someone who has had a positive experience with Dover public schools? What are the neighborhoods like? Will we really be treated like unwelcomed outsiders? (as I have read on a previous thread) Can anyone new to the area give some feedback?

Hmm, that is the town where the school board got all caught up in the teaching of creationism a few years ago and made national if not international news! Then they mended their ways. I think they have straightened themselved out since then, so they should be very carefully attentive to the educational case. That part of PA is gorgeous.

If you can afford to be a little more rural, go even farther north.

[cemell2000]

yea, just to reiterate what most are saying. i went to college in york and my cousin is raising his family in Dover, he is a vp for large corp in york. Dover i believe is a small friendly (still realtively new for the most part) community. His kids are doing great in the schools there. nice active church. he fishes a lot around there. one nice thing, you aren't far from the city for events. harrisburg, pa is just to the north and of course balt or DC is to the south. Lancaster and Philly is to the east, so you aren't like, in nowhere's land. i wish you the best and if you have any further questions, feel free to email. i can always ask my cousin as well.

[Debaroo]

Originally Posted by c-n-bmore

Thanks for your feedback. I'll be returning to York soon and I should have more time to check the area out. I guess every place has some good points and some bad. But, I'm not scared off.

Glad your not scared off because I'm not either. It seems to me no matter where you move, someone has something to say about "outsiders'. I live in Central NJ and was going to move from here, where I lived all my life to RichmondVA area. All I read was about how they hate Notherners. I have neighbors that hate each other here in NJ, people just love to hate and argue and be territorial. I think if your basically a nice person, such as I you'll get along anywhere. Safety is a issue for me too. We decided on York or Adams County. Possbily Perry but I like to be failry close to the ocean and bay, Perry County is above Harrisburg, so I have to check out the rest of the area. I am more familar with Northern PA. I have been on different city forums on this site and no matter what city/state your in, someone has something to say about who hates who. I think it's all BS anyway. There are ignorant grouchy people all over. Find yourself a nice home and don't worry about who likes you, I for one don't even care anymore. As they say in North Jersey...FUGGEDABOUIT!!!!!GOOD LUCK!!!!!