Checking on Areas in Pa. (Philadelphia, Allentown: relocate, property taxes, trip)

[Badlandsnative]

Morning and Happy New Year to you all.
My wife and I both retired with Social Security and at this time live in Myrtle Beach S.C. a great place but we have my children in Temple, and Euphria, Pa, and her's in Long Island, NY. We have thought about leaving our little area to relocate some where in between the two areas instead of driving 720 miles to visit grandchildren and children.
First I was sticker shocked on the Pa, Property Taxes which seems to rival NY. I understand different counties have different taxes. I haved checked a little on Allentown,Columbia,and Harrisburg, but it gets overwhelming. Reading was mention but have heard Horror Stories of roving Gangs taking over the town. True or Not??.
We are active and would like to be close to the fine arts,County dance,water, theather, and good nightlife, Plus would like a Hog Club, or Blue Knight Club or other good club to ride with. Good close medical Hospitals are a must.
Any infomation and suggestions you can give this South Dakota Black Hills former Residence will be greatly appreciated. Lowest taxes a big + and is there a homesteaders break for those over 65??? Thanks so very much.

[teachbeach]

York, PA might suit your needs. Two major hospitals, about 1 hour from Baltimore, 45 minutes from Harrisburg and Lancaster for your cultural needs (theatres, nightlife, dancing). Our doctors will also refer patients to Johns Hopkins, UMB, Philly hospitals and Hershey if necessary. Major league baseball and football in Baltimore, hometown baseball in York, Lancaster and Harrisburg. Baltimore airport is just over an hour, Harrisburg Airport is 35 minutes. The train in Lancaster is Amtrak, and it runs to Philly, New Jersey and into Penn Station several times daily. The big manufacturing Harley Davidson plant is here for tours and connections to bike clubs, plus they have open houses and festivals throughout the year. Taxes are low in comparison to other areas of PA, the weather is temperate. We have quite a few swim clubs, but to get to "big" water you'd have to go to a lake or the shore (about 3 hours) in New Jersey, Delaware or Maryland.

We also have some fine over 55 communities, continuing care communities with beautiful homes in all price ranges. I'm not sure about homesteading breaks, but I do know that Srs. get discounts at restaurants and department stores on certain days of the weeks.

[ScranBarre]

Besides York County you might also want to check into Northeastern Pennsylvania, more specifically nearer to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. I say this because this will put you roughly a 2.5-hour drive from either Long Island or Philadelphia, which would make it a somewhat good mid-point.
Philadelphia is a straight shot down I-476, and New York City/Long Island can be accessed either by taking I-380 South to I-80 East through NJ or I-84 East to the Thruway South in the Newburgh, NY area.

Here are a few offerings in this neck of the woods:

Minor-League Sports (AAA Yankees Franchise, AAA Penguins Franchise, Arena 2 Football League Team)
Casinos (Mohegan Sun, Mt. Airy)
Ski Resorts (Elk Mountain, Sno Mountain, Big Boulder/Jack Frost, etc.)
NEPA Philharmonic
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP)
State Parks (Ricketts Glen, Frances Slocum, Lackawanna, Promised Land, etc.)
County Parks (McDade Park, Moon Lake Park, Aylesworth Park, etc.)
City Parks (Nay Aug Park, Kirby Park, etc.)
Steamtown National Historic Site
Electric City Trolley Museum
Everhart Art Museum
Shopping (Shoppes at Montage, Steamtown Mall, Viewmont Mall, Wyoming Valley Mall, The Crossings Premium Outlets, etc.)
Lake Wallenpaupack, Harvey's Lake, Lake Winola, etc.
Annual Events (Scranton Jazz Festival, La Festa Italiana, Wilkes-Barre Fine Arts Fiesta, Pittston Tomato Festival, Electric City Film Festival, Scranton Jewish Film Festival, West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival, Steamtown Marathon, Scranton Jaycees Santa Parade, Scranton St. Patrick's Day Parade, "The Office" Convention, etc.)
Harry Houdini Museum
F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Scranton Cultural Center
Toyota Pavillion at Montage Mountain (Concerts)
There are motorcycle clubs around here, but I'm not aware of how to contact them.

Feel free to let me know if the Northeastern part of the state appeals to you at all.

[Badlandsnative]

Thanks folks, have heard of York in Passing,and some good comments. I am going to take a spring trip into the area and see what it has to offer. This area here has spoiled me with the low taxes and ocean breeze, but without family around gets kinna home sick. I like the idea of being from 2 to 2 1/2 hrs from Long Island, and train instead of fighting traffic,

Thanks again
Larry

[openless]

Originally Posted by Badlandsnative

I like the idea of being from 2 to 2 1/2 hrs from Long Island, and train instead of fighting traffic

if you live in eastern harrisburg, and are close to i-81 as I am then you will have to take at least 3 to 3 and a half hours to get to long island. I dont know if you've made the drive, but the highway (i-78) is 55 miles an hour from sharlesville (where roadside america is) and hamburg (where cabella's is) until the new jersey boarder (about 35 - 40 miles) and it is frequently patrolled by the state police, especially the closer you get to NJ. I visit friends in Edison, NJ and that takes about 2 and a half hours to get to. they're about 2 miles from the Outerbridge. it's more about 2 hours and 20 minutes. And I go to JFK airport pretty frequently too, that is more like 3 and a half hours to get there. not including traffic, police or waiting for a drawbridge to come up....

let me tell you new jersey is some of the most heavily policed territory in the us. they have police all over the place, you do NOT want to try and speed through new jersey they will bust you.

they do have a train that goes from harrisburg, middletown, lancaster, philadelphia, trenton, middlesex county and then up to nyc. i took that once before it takes several hours.... but you dont have to pay for parking.

[Badlandsnative]

Thanks for the information, been on the internet for about 6 hours, Have taken the trip from Myrtle Beach to Long island about 8 times in three years, always on I-95 to the Verazano bridge, some times no problem. other times 9 1/2 hrs to bridge, and then three hours the last 30 miles. I orgionally came from the west where if you drove I-90 after 10 pm you could meet 20 cars in 30 miles, I have adjusted to heavy traffic, but the train sounds better and better.

Will keep checking on where you folks suggested, Thanks again and Blessings in 2008

Larry