Any comments on livability of York, PA? (Philadelphia, Lancaster: crime, house)

[Chancelynn2002]

Hello! Am considering moving to York, PA area and would very much appreciate any and all comments about the area, good, bad and ugly. Thank you very much!

[talk2u]

What's your motivation for moving to York? Do you have family here, relocating for a job? If you're looking for a vibrant town, with loads of entertainment and friendly people...might want to look elsewhere. If you're looking for a safe, generally quiet, rural environment with just enough to do...York might be the place for you.

I guess it all depends on what you're looking for.

[Chancelynn2002]

Ideally, I am looking for an outdoorsy kind of town. Within a day trip of Philly, DC and NY, reasonably. Or at least a weekend trip. I want to live somewhere dog-friendly, both immediate dwelling and general feel of town. Also good live music - I'm not into bars, but maybe a good Irish pub or the like. I like to hike, swim, spend a lot of time outside. I don't care about size of town - right now I live in a 12,000 pop. town 15 minutes from downtown of 104,000 pop. city. I prefer quaint downtowns to metropolis feel, but it all depends.

Perhaps that's not enough to go on, but ideally, if you are aware of any town probably closest to Philly but still reasonably close to New York or Wash., D.C.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by Chancelynn2002

Ideally, I am looking for an outdoorsy kind of town. Within a day trip of Philly, DC and NY, reasonably. Or at least a weekend trip. I want to live somewhere dog-friendly, both immediate dwelling and general feel of town. Also good live music - I'm not into bars, but maybe a good Irish pub or the like. I like to hike, swim, spend a lot of time outside. I don't care about size of town - right now I live in a 12,000 pop. town 15 minutes from downtown of 104,000 pop. city. I prefer quaint downtowns to metropolis feel, but it all depends.

Perhaps that's not enough to go on, but ideally, if you are aware of any town probably closest to Philly but still reasonably close to New York or Wash., D.C.

York isn't really that kind of town, but the general region is.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by Chancelynn2002

Ideally, I am looking for an outdoorsy kind of town. Within a day trip of Philly, DC and NY, reasonably. Or at least a weekend trip. I want to live somewhere dog-friendly, both immediate dwelling and general feel of town. Also good live music - I'm not into bars, but maybe a good Irish pub or the like. I like to hike, swim, spend a lot of time outside. I don't care about size of town - right now I live in a 12,000 pop. town 15 minutes from downtown of 104,000 pop. city. I prefer quaint downtowns to metropolis feel, but it all depends.

Perhaps that's not enough to go on, but ideally, if you are aware of any town probably closest to Philly but still reasonably close to New York or Wash., D.C.

Harrisburg has three Irish pubs downtown, and there are several more in the suburbs. I also see this area as pretty outdoorsy-friendly, there is the Susquehanna river and numerous other creeks for water-related activities (kayaking, swimming, boating). Lots of hiking and nature trails around (Appalachian trail, Wildwood Lake preserve) as well. The Harrisburg area is about 2 1/2 hours from Washington DC (can be less without traffic), 1 1/2 hours from Philly and 3 hours from NYC.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by danwxman

Harrisburg has three Irish pubs downtown, and there are several more in the suburbs. I also see this area as pretty outdoorsy-friendly, there is the Susquehanna river and numerous other creeks for water-related activities (kayaking, swimming, boating). Lots of hiking and nature trails around (Appalachian trail, Wildwood Lake preserve) as well. The Harrisburg area is about 2 1/2 hours from Washington DC (can be less without traffic), 1 1/2 hours from Philly and 3 hours from NYC.

Theres also a 90 minute train to downtown philly from Harrisburg, and daily planes from harrisburg to NYC.

[CA-PA-TX?]

I live in York and have to say I have never really noticed whether it is dog friendly or not. From your preferences I kinda get the mental picture of people walking downtown with their dogs or hiking on a trail with their dog...I never do see that here. I do know lots of dog owners but they don't take them anywhere lol. They are just yard dogs like my pup lol.

Personally, I find this town devoid of joy and life but that could be because we are here on our own away from our family. I just hate the lack of good restaurants and general atmosphere. It is a good jumping off point for drives to Maryland, DC, New York etc. and there are great schools where we are...but really we are trying to get out of here

[rockky]

In general I think most York Countians are animal lovers. These old families came from a rural background.

I must admit I never understood having a dog and leaving it chained outside all the time. It happens. I sort of steer away from those folks since I personally feel that it shows something about their character.

Keep in mind that where dogs are allowed is based on law. I used to take my little Boston along shopping. Years ago I would put her in a blanket and take her in the child seat of a shopping cart. Not in a food store. That wasn't allowed even then.

My daughter has a Boston of her own now. She takes her everywhere she is allow by law. She gets so much attention from folks she meets! They all seem to want to pet and get kisses. You don't find that everywhere.

In general the locals want to 'check out the new guy'. The area is much more open than it was forty years ago though. They are not vastly social with fund raisers and high end dressy affairs. York was a blue-collar town with a strong church base. Pushy, flashy, and loud still doesn't play well. The remnants of the old German, salt-of-the-earth, no nonsense culture is still there.

Nope. York isn't New York, Philadelphia, DC, or Baltimore. It's not a huge urban area, but it has many attributes that are there.....just quietly. That may not be what some people want or need. I whined and moaned that there is nothing to do in York. Then I lived in Kent Co., DE for 2.5 years. York is a megalopolis compared to where I lived in DE. I found people to be much more friendly in York, and there is much more to do in the immediate Lancaster/Adams/Dauphin county area. If you want the urban areas, they are within easy driving distances.

Pub scene? I know there are places if you look for them. Check this out:

Welcome to the Harp & Fiddle Irish Pub and Restaurant - York, PA

You will need to drive to get a variety of places, but they can be found....just not on every other corner.

I still think that these York County folks will be there for you in times of trouble. You just need to take time to let them get to know you. Please keep in mind that I'm talking about the general area. Not York City alone. That's a whole different ballgame.

[CA-PA-TX?]

Originally Posted by rockky

I must admit I never understood having a dog and leaving it chained outside all the time. It happens. I sort of steer away from those folks since I personally feel that it shows something about their character.

Yikes I feel I must defend that by yard dog I meant they stay in the yard or in the house laying on my furniture lol. I certainly didn't mean chained up and neglected My dog gets car sick so he only gets in the car when he goes on doggy vacation at the super kennel he goes to I know by dog friendly people generally mean dog parks but I am not sure they have those here. I know that we have taken our dog to the local park and he was allowed leashed on the trail...

As for the rest of your post rockky, great insight into the area- summed it up way better than I could ever since I have only been here 2 years

I have met some wonderful people here who I will miss dearly when we move. My son's school is fantastic and we have found some beautiful hiking around Lake Redman/Codorus area. We don't get to hike it much though because we are both super allergic to poison ivy and get it if we even look at it wrong. The rail trails are also nice but be cautious on the ones near downtown- I understand there has been some crime activity there.

[rockky]

Originally Posted by CA-PA-TX?

Yikes I feel I must defend that by yard dog I meant they stay in the yard or in the house laying on my furniture lol. I certainly didn't mean chained up and neglected My dog gets car sick so he only gets in the car when he goes on doggy vacation at the super kennel he goes to I know by dog friendly people generally mean dog parks but I am not sure they have those here. I know that we have taken our dog to the local park and he was allowed leashed on the trail...

As for the rest of your post rockky, great insight into the area- summed it up way better than I could ever since I have only been here 2 years

I have met some wonderful people here who I will miss dearly when we move. My son's school is fantastic and we have found some beautiful hiking around Lake Redman/Codorus area. We don't get to hike it much though because we are both super allergic to poison ivy and get it if we even look at it wrong. The rail trails are also nice but be cautious on the ones near downtown- I understand there has been some crime activity there.

Oh....major whoops here! CA-PA-TX, I didn't even think that about your post. I figured you meant that you have a pup that spends time between your yard and the sofa. I can see where you would think that I was directing my words at your statement. I'm sorry.

I was talking about some of the guys who have dogs that spend their entire lives in outside kennels with little to no shelter. You may have noticed that there is a bit of hunting that goes on with the locals. The reason they seem to keep these poor creatures is to take them out and walk around the woods once or twice a year. I'm sure I'll hear from someone about how terrible I am to not understand how they live. That's OK. I've heard it all before. I was considered odd because I had a house dog. They feel that it's dirty to have an animal in my house. Frankly, I'd rather have the dog than some of those men in my home. Harsh of me, huh. I simply see a pet as something different than they do.

I have the poison ivy curse as well. I never got it as a kid. After I got it the first time, I really have a time with it. I think it's systemic. If I get close to any of the oil, it comes out at the same place each time.....face and neck. I've had my share of Prednisone to try to treat it.

I am happy to read that you are pleased with your son's school. I worked in the schools there for many years. Of course, I'm curious to know which school you are speaking about.

Yep. Ya gotta know the territory with the Rail Trail. I know people use it out around Indian Rock Road. Another place is at Rocky Ridge Park.

I have no doubt that the York area is not for everyone. I never thought I'd miss it, but there are things I miss a lot. My son spent time in a more urban area in college. He said he'd never go back, and he hasn't. He seems happier in the mountains of Northeast PA. I think it's unfair to insist that everyone can find peace and pleasure anywhere, and it's up to them to make it work. Sometimes there is isn't a good fit. To each their own.

Hope things work out well for you.