York PA? (Lancaster, Hanover, Red Lion: for sale, to rent, crime)

[genuinelymi]

I am considering moving to York, PA...I am originally from philadelphia but I live in south jersey. My fiance lives in baltimore, md and we are looking to purchase a home in York. Not that race matters to me much, I have always lived in a mixed community but we are African American and Absolutely clueless of the environment. I am not concerned about me and him but our children and the school district is very important to us. We are looking for a single family home and want to stay in the suburban areas of York. Any suggestions of what areas we should look into. Up and coming towns? All I need is a Walmart, Target, market.....lol...I am only 30 but no into the club scene, stay to myself, occasional shopping. Please let me know.

One more thing, the Job industry? My fiance is an addictions counselor getting his degree in social work and I am a cosmetologist and I currently am a sales rep for comcast.
What other surrounding towns should I be looking at as far as job hunting that is close to York?

I know its alot of questions but alot to consider as well if we do start looking.
I would appreciate anyones input...
Thanks

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by genuinelymi

I am considering moving to York, PA...I am originally from philadelphia but I live in south jersey. My fiance lives in baltimore, md and we are looking to purchase a home in York. Not that race matters to me much, I have always lived in a mixed community but we are African American and Absolutely clueless of the environment. I am not concerned about me and him but our children and the school district is very important to us. We are looking for a single family home and want to stay in the suburban areas of York. Any suggestions of what areas we should look into. Up and coming towns? All I need is a Walmart, Target, market.....lol...I am only 30 but no into the club scene, stay to myself, occasional shopping. Please let me know.

One more thing, the Job industry? My fiance is an addictions counselor getting his degree in social work and I am a cosmetologist and I currently am a sales rep for comcast.
What other surrounding towns should I be looking at as far as job hunting that is close to York?

I know its alot of questions but alot to consider as well if we do start looking.
I would appreciate anyones input...
Thanks

Might also wanna check out Hanover. It's I believe the largest satellite town of york, and quickly growing. If I recall, the south east of york is the bad area of town. Stick to the north and west and you should be fine. Jobs, not too sure about. I know there have been a couple lay offs in york (Such as NAPA) so i'm not too sure about that. Jobs wise you might wanna also check out what lancaster area might offer. Unemployment is low, around 2-3% so there might be stuff there.

[kenandbee]

May i also suggest Lancaster, the rural areas, not the city...

My wife and I live in Lancaster and every night on the news we hear about someone getting shot in York, or stabbed. Having children of our own, we don't want to live in a community where we have to worry about violence (I'm sure every parent wishes they could raise their children in a perfect world, however no place is perfect).

Even in Lancaster we hear negative things about our city, but as far as outside of the city, it's relatively quiet and very peaceful. We have some great schools here in Lancaster as well as the surrounding areas... try searching this forum for school districts in that area as I'm most sure I've seen a few posts about them...

best of luck!

[genuinelymi]

Thanks , I will search some homes in that area as well. We have been looking in the West area of York...I heard that York Township and Dallastown school district were above average. How far is Lancaster from I83? Well, any info that you guys might have is well appreciated...
Thanks again

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by genuinelymi

Thanks , I will search some homes in that area as well. We have been looking in the West area of York...I heard that York Township and Dallastown school district were above average. How far is Lancaster from I83? Well, any info that you guys might have is well appreciated...
Thanks again

Well, I think it's about 20-30 minutes from 83, although not 100% sure, only driven that distance a few times.

My wife and I live in Lancaster and every night on the news we hear about someone getting shot in York, or stabbed. Having children of our own, we don't want to live in a community where we have to worry about violence (I'm sure every parent wishes they could raise their children in a perfect world, however no place is perfect).

Eh, most of the time thats usually inside the city and particularly south east area.

[genuinelymi]

Marodi, also I was informed that there is alot of racism ( I mean its everywhere) in the York area..Do you know that to be of any truth. I worry about the children. I have found some nice newly built homes in the suburban areas of York for sale. Are there alot of up and coming areas in Lancaster? As far as new homes being built?

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by genuinelymi

Marodi, also I was informed that there is alot of racism ( I mean its everywhere) in the York area..Do you know that to be of any truth. I worry about the children. I have found some nice newly built homes in the suburban areas of York for sale. Are there alot of up and coming areas in Lancaster? As far as new homes being built?

As for racism, I don't think it's more than any other area (other than hanover) that has a decent population in the south central PA. But, I'm a caucasian male, so take it with a grain of salt.

As you get into the rural mountain area of PA the mindset is there. Hanover had a few problems back in the early 90's (drug deal gone bad turned into racial tension), and as you move west and north, the population becomes predominantly (usually 80%+) white caucasian.

I'd assume there are new houses being built around lancaster. The mortgage crunch has slowed growth in the region, but it's still there.

[teachbeach]

York Township is a large area, of which most of it's residents attend Dallastown schools. There is also a small community called Dallastown Borough, which is more of a main drag. People will have Dallastown or York mailing addresses, and actually be living in York Township. Don't even get me started on how to figure that out. There are also people with York addresses that live 10 miles away from the city and their children might attend West York Schools, Central York (Manchester & Springettsbury Township) York Suburban (Springettsbury and Spring Garden Townships) and Red Lion (Red Lion Borough, Windsor Township, Windsor Borough, Delta, Brogue, Collinsville etc) It's pretty much like that all over the county. The city of York is where you will find the largest population of African Americans, but unfortunately it also seems to have a higher percentage of problems. If you were to move to southern York county--Dallastown School District, Southwestern/Hanover and Susquehannak area you would find a good mix of professionals of all races and cultures. The areas around the hospital and colleges seem to have a good mix of people of different cultures. The best thing to do would be to rent for 6 months and then decide where you want to live. Your needs (WalMart, Target, occasional shopping) would be well met with any number of the stores along Route 30 and/or Route 83. If you want any further information, email me and I'll be glas to answer your direct questions.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by teachbeach

If you were to move to southern York county--Dallastown School District, Southwestern/Hanover and Susquehannak area you would find a good mix of professionals of all races and cultures. The areas around the hospital and colleges seem to have a good mix of people of different cultures. The best thing to do would be to rent for 6 months and then decide where you want to live. Your needs (WalMart, Target, occasional shopping) would be well met with any number of the stores along Route 30 and/or Route 83. If you want any further information, email me and I'll be glas to answer your direct questions.

Not much of a mix in the hanover area. 95.7% white town of 14,000 people.

[talk2u]

I live in Manchester Township and I'm also black. I can't speak much on the school district because I don't have kids. As far as racism and diversity - blacks are definitely the minority in York. As someone else mentioned, the majority of blacks and hispanics live in York City, as do a number of whites. York City does have its share of crime and if you don't have to live there, don't. I moved here from the DC area so the lack of diversity has been a problem for me. However, with that said everyone I've met here has been really nice. York is just not the place I could foresee putting down long term roots. Seems like a great place to raise children and the younger generation doesn't seem to be as closed-minded as maybe the older generation. One thing I will say and if you spend any time reading past posts many PA natives resent the fact that people from Maryland, New York and New Jersey are moving to PA for cheaper housing/taxes. They don't like the McMansions, the strip malls, the decline of available farmland and the overall invasion of outsiders threatening their way of life. It may take a minute for folks to warm up to you, but it will happen. I'd advise you to visit a few times before making any final decisions on relocating. Just my $.02.