Looking to Move to Central PA, but have lots of questions! (Philadelphia: crime, how much)

[MtnDewMan]

I have been reading postings for the past few hours, and found much of the information posted to be very helpful, but nothing that hit exactly on the questions I have. Thus, I am posting my own thread with the hopes of learning more information.

Currently, we live in the traffic invested area of Northern VA. The boom in population, along with the overall "work is more important than family" has just gotten the best of us. We are both fairly conservative people, who value family, living in an area where we can raise our children being something that is very important to us.

My wife and I are looking into relocating next year and one of the areas that interests us is Central PA. It is an in between point for our families, which is a nice feature. I get nervous living too close (using Harrisburg as the midpoint) to Philadelphia that we will run into the same issues we are dealing with right now. Thus, things west of Harrisburg are the places of interest to me. I looked into areas such as York, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Chambersburg and Hanover, but I have seen very mixed reviews of these locations. I visited Hanover recently and must confess that the main road going through town (I believe it was Rt. 30) was a conjestion nightmare for a "small town".

What we are looking for, if this exists, is a "Mayberry" type town. Good people, small town values. A place where it is okay to say the word "God" in public and not get threatened to be sued. (Not a political or anti anything statement meant by that, so please save the bolding of that remark only to make a soapbox out of it for another forum) Some place where its okay to allow your kids to go trick or treating on Halloween. Some place where you can allow your kids to run around the neighborhood playing, without the fear of crime or drugs or violence. I would also like for the school system to be a good one because of my children, as well as the fact that I am in education myself. Does such a place exist, and if so, can anyone tell me where? I am anxious to hear thoughts on the above towns I mentioned as well. I will be anxious to read the expert opinions.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by MtnDewMan

I have been reading postings for the past few hours, and found much of the information posted to be very helpful, but nothing that hit exactly on the questions I have. Thus, I am posting my own thread with the hopes of learning more information.

Currently, we live in the traffic invested area of Northern VA. The boom in population, along with the overall "work is more important than family" has just gotten the best of us. We are both fairly conservative people, who value family, living in an area where we can raise our children being something that is very important to us.

My wife and I are looking into relocating next year and one of the areas that interests us is Central PA. It is an in between point for our families, which is a nice feature. I get nervous living too close (using Harrisburg as the midpoint) to Philadelphia that we will run into the same issues we are dealing with right now. Thus, things west of Harrisburg are the places of interest to me. I looked into areas such as York, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Chambersburg and Hanover, but I have seen very mixed reviews of these locations. I visited Hanover recently and must confess that the main road going through town (I believe it was Rt. 30) was a conjestion nightmare for a "small town".

What we are looking for, if this exists, is a "Mayberry" type town. Good people, small town values. A place where it is okay to say the word "God" in public and not get threatened to be sued. (Not a political or anti anything statement meant by that, so please save the bolding of that remark only to make a soapbox out of it for another forum) Some place where its okay to allow your kids to go trick or treating on Halloween. Some place where you can allow your kids to run around the neighborhood playing, without the fear of crime or drugs or violence. I would also like for the school system to be a good one because of my children, as well as the fact that I am in education myself. Does such a place exist, and if so, can anyone tell me where? I am anxious to hear thoughts on the above towns I mentioned as well. I will be anxious to read the expert opinions.

Carlisle, Mechanicsburg or Boiling Springs might appeal to you. Check them out. York and Adams county are just getting overrun with Marylanders now, while Cumberland county (which contains the towns I listed above) is seeing a more manageable influx.

Speaking of NOVA, I have a friend who spent some time living there who now lives in Camp Hill (a suburb of Harrisburg) and he has often told me how much easier the lifestyle is around here compared to NOVA.

[MtnDewMan]

The one question I have about the cities you listed is their proximity to Harrisburg. I have read nothing but "Stay away from Harrisburg" postings on this site. How far away do you have to be to be "okay"?

Also, thank you for your response to my posting.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by MtnDewMan

The one question I have about the cities you listed is their proximity to Harrisburg. I have read nothing but "Stay away from Harrisburg" postings on this site. How far away do you have to be to be "okay"?

Also, thank you for your response to my posting.

That's exactly the kind of ridiculous response I would expecting seeing on this forum lol.

I'm in downtown Harrisburg every day and just fine. I couldn't imagine living in this area and completely avoiding Harrisburg. There is a wonderful downtown with a lot of unique restaurants, an art museum, IMAX theater and lots of other amenities. But yea, if you're not looking for any type of city life then it's not for you. There are a few high-crime areas in the city (parts of uptown, allison hill) and some nice safe areas (downtown, midtown, bellevue park, shipoke). All of the "west shore" suburbs (west shore is known as any place west of the Susquehanna river) are just outside Harrisburg and completely safe and fine. These are Lemoyne, Wormleysburg, New Cumberland, East Pennsboro and Camp Hill. Lemoyne and Camp Hill are literally within minutes of big scary bad Harrisburg and have beautiful homes with gorgeous tree-lined streets. Lemoyne has a hill section with million dollar homes that overlook the city skyline. So again, don't listen to those that judge a nice place to live by proximity to Harrisburg. Mechanicsburg, Hampden, Upper and Lower Allen are a bit further out (5-15 minutes outside of Harrisburg) and are also just fine.

Just north of Harrisburg you have Susquehanna township, which has some nice areas and a few small run-down sections that are easy to avoid. Good proxomity and close to some upscale shopping. East of Harrisburg you have Penbrook, Lower Paxton and Swatara. These are all highly populated areas. Each has a few run-down sections, again they are easy to spot and avoid, but all also have nice areas as well.

The other two places I mentioned, Carlisle and Boiling Springs are about 20 minutes west of Harrisburg. Carlisle is a medium-sized college town and Boiling Springs is a cute, small town a few minutes south of Carlisle.

The best thing for you would be to spend a couple days in the area and just explore.

[Dawne]

My personal favorites, and they are truly CENTRAL PA (both centrally north and south as well as east and west) would be Selinsgrove, Lewisburg, Bloomsburg and Bellefonte. State College is also nice but you're getting into some traffic congestion there due to Penn State.

[CitizenJustice]

MtnDewMan

There is a Mayberry type town 84 miles N of Harrisburg. It is called MUNCY. It is 13 miles from Williamsport (Home of the World Little League and the site of the Little League World Series ea year), and has a major mall 10 minutes away. It is nestled in the Susquehanna Valley, and the Susquehanna River is nearby. We also have the Bald Eagle Mountains near us. I 180 goes around us and we are 12 miles from I 80. There are enough "sights" to keep a family busy weekends for a LONG time. Crime is very low, we have our own fire and police depts, a small hospital locally and the Susquehanna Medical Center 15 minutes away. The school is very good.

Penn State's Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College are located in Williamsport. Selinsgrove University (about 28 miles), Bucknell University (22 miles) and Bloomsburg University (26 miles) are about 1/2 hr drive away.

The "problems" you have in Va are not in this area.

[Dawne]

I agree with CitizenJustice and will add Montoursville and Hughesville, both near Muncy, to the list.

[twinmma]

State College!

[3fingersalute]

Originally Posted by twinmma

State College!

Yes, and the outlying areas. I live about 30 minutes east of State, and towns like Boalsburg, Lewistown, Potters Mills, Milroy, etc. are the type of "Mayberry" towns you're looking for without needing to drive an hour to get anywhere.

[danwxman]

I agree with a lot of the posters here talking about these other towns in Central PA. They are nice but there are a few problems. Job market and lack of amenities/opportunities. The Harrisburg metro has one of the strongest job markets in the state and most of the amenities you would be used to in NOVA. If you don't need either of those two things, I would recommend the other towns mentioned in this thread.