Location selection for PA. State Trooper Recruits??? (Philadelphia, Lancaster: crime rate, safe area)

[MrsVMC]

Can anyone tell me what areas my husband should request on his wish list when choosing a barrack as a Pennsylvania State Trooper new recruit? We have 3 children, ages 4, 2, and 4 months and we are both under 30 years of age. I am in the allied health care field and we are both very interested in ensuring that our children receive quality education and are exposed to diversity (amish, german, black, italian, hispanic, asian, etc.) We are a soon to be ex-military family and have lived in many different places, but Pennsylvania has the tranquility and way of life that we desire for our family.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[twinmma]

King of Prussia area would give you good schools and the diversity you are looking for...

[MrsVMC]

Originally Posted by twinmma

King of Prussia area would give you good schools and the diversity you are looking for...

Thank you very much. We will look into that area.

[jsn2007]

How big of a city are you looking for?

[MrsVMC]

Originally Posted by jsn2007

How big of a city are you looking for?

Big enough that my husband and I don't have to drive more than 20-30 minutes for an evening dinner date on the weekends, and not so small that we won't have anything fun nearby to show family and friends when they visit.
We definitely want the advantages of living in a tight knit community like the ones we've always heard exist in PA., we want to take our kids hiking, biking, tubing, etc., but we also want to have some sort of nightlife with restaurants, franchised retail (i.e. target, walmart, shopping malls, etc.) within a reasonable distance. I intend to apply for a position with one of the Wellspan Health facilities so I'm hoping that they are all in safe areas, with adequate pay.

[KristyLiz]

I live in Montgomery county - just east of Philly - and it's great here! Expensive, but good schools and a nice quality of life. Of course traffic stinks, but I blame the King of Prussia mall for that.

Because of my husband's job, we are moving to the Lehigh Valley, and from the research I did, the area seems very nice. Some good school districts to pick from.

[ff18wife]

I would start with finding the locations of the Wellspan Facilities and go from there if you want to live somewhat close to where you work and then see where your husband can apply to for his job.

[lititzman2003]

You may want to consider the Ephrata barracks. The city of Lancaster has residents from all different ethnic backgrounds, the schools in the county are some of the best in the state, and there are PLENTY of places to bring your friends for dinner, shows, shopping, etc. The Pocono Mountains and the Maryland beaches are just a few hours from here. Route 30 has every store imaginable plus there are dozens of strip malls thoughout the county. The crime rate in most of the towns are low.

[jsn2007]

I suggest St. Marys, Pennsylvania. It is a town of about 15,000 people with 2 excellent school systems, a good hospital, many large and well maintained parks, a youth center, quite a few different eating and shopping areas, and many recreational opportunities. If you like hiking, swimming, tubing, boating, skiing, tree-lined neighborhoods and little crime, I suggest at least taking a glance at the area! St. Marys is a safe and prosperous community.

[thesixth]

I think there is a Lima or Media Barracks...it would be out on Route 1 in Delaware County. Lots of nice areas to live in and close to Philadelphia.