Is Lebanon really that bad? (Philadelphia, Allentown: rental, crime, new home)

[Sminthian]

I've been to Hershey a bunch of times, but have never noticed what Lebanon is like. The statistics for the city that I can find online make it sound pretty bad. I've found a prospective job that would be in Lebanon and if I get it I was thinking of moving to one of the little towns around there. What's the area really like?

[Icy Tea]

I have mostly good things to say about it. I used to go with my dad to the VA hospital and always enjoyed the ride back in the 70s and 80s along 422. Its a smaller more rustic version of Reading. More backwards( in good ways) and very dutchy. Very scenic. It is kind of dog eared and recent influxes of outsiders has increased crime and perplexed the locals as much as it has Reading and Lancaster and Allentown so I sympathize with them. But I think the newcomers will eventually adapt and the losers will either move on or spend some quality time in prison.
It's in a good location, close to Lancaster and Reading and Harrisburg. The small towns around it are nice. Hershey co. is a big influence and its a shame how that company is being run into the ground and turning its back on its history and customers. People in Lebanon( Pennsylvanians in general) love to complain about everything but they do eventually get things straightened out.

[Worldtraveler81]

The statistics are correct.

[jonny_quest]

Originally Posted by Sminthian

I've been to Hershey a bunch of times, but have never noticed what Lebanon is like. The statistics for the city that I can find online make it sound pretty bad. I've found a prospective job that would be in Lebanon and if I get it I was thinking of moving to one of the little towns around there. What's the area really like?

Yes, it's really that bad. This is not the 70's or 80's, and I definitely wouldn't move there (or anywhere) hoping it will get better anytime in the near future. Avoid downtown Lebanon.

[PennsylTexan]

As above...yes, it is that bad. Check out the areas in Annville/Cleona/Palmyra before Lebanon. Lebanon is not a bad commute from these places.

[carperry]

Lebanon is a city, not a borough or township, of about 20K. It has fallen on hard times with the demise of heavy industry. Some sections, what is called the north side, are rough. South, up by the hospital(the only hospital)are great. Beautiful mansions, well kept grounds, etc. But hey, don't live in the city, many places that have an address line of Lebanon are not, per se, Lebanon. Cornwall, the various Cornwall townships, the townships which contain Lebanon as part of the township name. Many are the places referred to, including all of Cleona borough, as Lebanon are not. I personally love Mt Gretna and Cornwall boroughs. Neither have mail delivery, many homes have Lebanon addresses although both boroughs have post offices with rental boxes. North Cornwall township has become the new home development upscale place to live if you need a Lebanon address. I would stay away from 'the city' if only because of the bottleneck of US Route 422 which runs(stops) from Lebanon on the east to Hershey on the west. Stay south of the city, Cornwall, Mt. Gretna, the several Cornwall townships, beat the traffic, be close to the turnpike. Reach for one of those 19th century stone houses. The Lebanon valley is undershot with limestone, it crops out of the soil in my back yard. The county is, I swear, more of a classic farm area than even Lancaster County, just to the south. Amish, Mennonite, more families, speaking percentages here, have stayed in Lebanon over generations than any other county. From 'the city,' Hershey in half an hour, Lancaster in 45-50 minutes, Harrisburg(why anyone would want to go there?) on 50 minutes or less, Philadelphia airport,via turnpike, in 90 minutes.
After all of the above: Best place to live in the state is up in Wayne(God bless it)County.

[Rtom45]

My daughter lived there a couple years ago when she was teaching in Palmyra. She moved to Hershey after 1 year when her lease expired. She was glad to go and we were happy to have her move. I am not a fan of Lebanon.