Lancaster Move.. (Harrisburg, York, Ephrata: apartment complexes, rentals, condo)

[idesignstuff]

Hi All, I'm eagerly looking forward to a move to Lancaster/Area in the spring of 2008. Wondering if there are any opinions on apt/condo rentals in the area or even areas that are decent to live in.
I prefer out of the city, I like quiet, but not necessarily cave-like. Must have high speed internet (FIOS would rock!). prefer areas that cater more towards professionals than families (kids are great, but..)
thanks for any help at all, i hope to do a 'scouting' run before snow arrives!
LindaB
yahoo: codes52

[Nativeson]

Hello idesignstuff!

The burbs around Lancaster are just the ticket that you're looking for. Manhiem Township, Hempfield, Ephrata, Eden. All are good places to live and "cater" to professionals. And yes we have High Speed Internet! Email used to be trucked in once a week, but we're past that now. yes we have FIOS. Not many choices of providers though. Great clubs in the area. Same in York and Harrisburg.

Don't worry too much about the snow. We normally don't get any until after the new year.

Welcome to the area!

son

[idesignstuff]

i appreciate the feedback, ephrata and manheim are high on my list, never heard of eden , will be looking into that as well.
I think I'm more psyched about fios than actually moving
thanks again

[teachbeach]

Manheim, East Petersburg or even Lititz would be my top choices if I were young, single, professional. Lititz has a great community center/library/health club facility that is a dream! Also very quaint, upscale boutique type shops in their downtown (not to mention Wilbur Chocolate). You could spend all weekend without having to get in your car. Right outside, on the main roads (501 and Fruitville Pike, Rt. 72) down to Lancaster City are all of the formula restaurants, grocery stores, banks and a small hospital. Ephrata is a little farther, and some areas might be a little dicey, plus the town folds up early. Great fashion clothing store called Doneckers is worth the visit and meal in the restaurant. Manheim, Lititz and East Pete have a small town charm, with walkable places for coffee, dry cleaning, convenience store or bakery/cafes. Just a short drive away would be all of the car dealerships, Park City Mall, Longs Park, Millersville University and Franklin/Marshall College. On the west side of 222 are some nice areas too, but they tend to cater more towards the tourism side of Lancaster, as that is where the outlets are, and most of the Amish related museums and villages. Strasburg might be another option, but it too gets crowded on weekends and school holiday weekends, since it's such a tourist area. My advice would be to find a place west of 222 and north of 30, but come and look around. There are garden apartment complexes, townhouses and many charming older homes that have been converted into spacious apartments.

[teachbeach]

On the west side of 222 are some nice areas too, but they tend to cater more towards the tourism side of Lancaster, as that is where the outlets are, and most of the Amish related museums and villages.


OOPS! I meant to say the EAST side of 222 caters to traffic and tourism--Dutch Wonderland, Host Resort, Outlet Malls galore.....

[idesignstuff]

Thank you teach, that was a lot of help, i wanted to stay away from the tourism areas, but wasn't sure where to focus, east west, up, down. a library, what a dream! I am totally narrowing it down due to the great input here..lititz and manheim are tops! Also near the church i'm looking into. I'm so psyched now, I miss neighborhoods, wandering around shops..library sigh . Ok, so i dig outlet shopping too, but busloads of people driving by my front door isnt appealing
right now I have to travel 2hrs to get to a decent bookstore, there are no bakeries or delis at all (no lie), for a former jersey girl, it's painful
thanks again, I appreciate the time you all take to write

[idesignstuff]

Email used to be trucked in once a week

Ha, just noticed this

[teachbeach]

If you look at a map, at the intersection of 501/Fruitville Pike and Route 30 is a shopping center called Red Rose Commons. BIG Barnes and Noble, along with Linens'Things, and other big name stores. At intersection of 30 and Harrisburg pike is Park City Mall, and right behind it is a Borders, TJ Maxx, Ollies etc.! But if you like quaint towns with the ability to walk for a coffee and bagel, Lititz will appeal. There is also a brand new Great Harvest Bread on 501, just outside of the downtown area. Believe it or not, our grocery stores have great in-store bakeries, and you would have your pick of a nice Stauffers of Kissel Hill and Giant, also on 501. There are a few bakeries, but most of the good stuff (made by the Amish) is out towards the eastern part of 30 and along Route 340 or 772. VERY touristy--and full of busloads of people. If I go there, it's early and I try to get out of their before noon. You'll get the hang of the back roads very easily. Outlets are usually open in the evenings, and are a pleasure. The bus loads are gone, and you have the place to yourself on some occasions. Again, the rhythm of the area is easy to figure out. Great piece of information to pick up is the Visitors Guide, it's map is terrific, full of back roads and interesting places to visit & explore. I love the Landis Valley Museum, right outside of Lititz.

[teachbeach]

I'm a former jersey girl as well, and was surprised at the lack of bakeries here. Then I found out, every family has a really good baker in it, so they don't buy out for pies, cookies, cakes, pastries etc. This is the heart of good eating for sure.