Any open area near Harrisburg? (Lancaster, York: homes, to buy, college)

[ruby_9c]

Hi. I just got a job in Harrisburg (capitol building) and will be moving in a few weeks. I would like to find an area that would be about a half an hour commute or less to work, but I live in the country now and would love to find an open area to live in.

My question is, is there such a place near Harrisburg? Are there any farms nearby or areas with homes that are not in housing developments or near a lot of noise that isn't to much of a drive? I've driven into the city during rush hour before (I had an internship while in college) and traffic is a nightmare!!

I'm hoping someone knows of a nice area. I'd like to buy a home, if there are any affordable (it would be my first home). Thank you!!

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by ruby_9c

Hi. I just got a job in Harrisburg (capitol building) and will be moving in a few weeks. I would like to find an area that would be about a half an hour commute or less to work, but I live in the country now and would love to find an open area to live in.

My question is, is there such a place near Harrisburg? Are there any farms nearby or areas with homes that are not in housing developments or near a lot of noise that isn't to much of a drive? I've driven into the city during rush hour before (I had an internship while in college) and traffic is a nightmare!!

I'm hoping someone knows of a nice area. I'd like to buy a home, if there are any affordable (it would be my first home). Thank you!!

Perry county. Affordable housing, very few developments, as rural as it gets. You'll want to stay in the southeastern part of the county to keep it less then a half hour commute. Only problem, it's very redneck. But if you don't have a problem with that you'll be fine. Another suggestion would be middle or upper Dauphin county.

[jdhall1]

North of Harrisburg up Route 15 was very pretty country.

[sirron]

Go to realtor.com and type 17068 in the zip code field. You can then customize your search to include outlying areas. Good luck.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by jdhall1

North of Harrisburg up Route 15 was very pretty country.

Agreed. Just be careful about flooding issues since this roadway also paralells the Susquehanna River. It might be nice to move midway between Harrisburg and Selinsgrove.

[ruby_9c]

Thanks for the great info! I'll look into your suggestions.

[mleo]

Check out the Dillsburg, Lewisberry and Etters as well. These communities are close to Harrisburg but definately have that country-feel.

Good luck!

[CHIP72]

I'd look at areas in northern York County (i.e. the places mentioned in the post above this one) and central Cumberland County near Carlisle first. Some places in western Lebanon County near Palmyra (probably north of town) or northwestern Lancaster County near Elizabethtown would definitely also work, and southeastern Perry County and northern Dauphin County near Halifax, Millersburg, and/or Elizabethville are decent possibilities as well.