Possible relocation to york county (Hershey, Mechanicsburg: real estate market, low crime, new home)

[EDMUND924]

Hello,
I am considering relocating to the York County area for possible employment in Camp Hill. I am seeking opinions on the best place to live as far as low crime, good schools, etc. I would be willing to commute 40 minutes or so to the job in Camp Hill. I did notice that Shrewsberry is about 40 miles from Camp Hill - is this commute doable in 40 minutes in rush hour? Any advice would be appreciated!

[EDMUND924]

To clarify, if I begin a new job in Camp Hill, where would be the best place to live- low crime, good schools etc.? Are there any issues with traffic patterns around the area during rush hour?

Thanks!

[talk2u]

If you're planning on buying, I'd recommend going a little further north from Shrewsbury. The prices will be cheaper the further away you are from the MD/PA border. My recommendation would be Manchester around exit 24 from I-83 (Emigsville). That's where I moved to from MD. Crime is very low, the Central school district is pretty good I hear and it's close to shopping, parks and restaurants. Plus you'll be about 20-25 minutes away from Camp Hill. Since I don't commute that way for work, I can't comment on what it's like during rush hour.

[Orion17]

Rush hour going North on 83 seems to be worse than going south, and there are plenty of people on here who go south. Every morning there seems to be an accident that closes it down.

If you can move somewhere and avoid 83 as a part of your commute, I would suggest that.

[danwxman]

I don't see why you'd have to commute at all. Traffic in and out of Camp Hill is a mess at rush hour, especially on 83. I'd stick to Camp Hill or one of the nearby communities (East Pennsboro Township, Hampden Township, Mechanicsburg). All have low crime and good schools.

[teachbeach]

You want to be north of the city of York in order to commute to Camp Hill. Traffic on 83 for 40 miles would probably take you at least 60 minutes, and that's a good day with no accidents, repair work, closures etc. The suggestion of Manchester/Emigsville is a good one-Central schools are good and you are still close enough to 30 and it's sprawl for shopping, restaurants, service centers etc. Better yet would be to look further north at York Haven, New Cumberland, Mechanicsburg or Camp Hill area.

[skizzle]

Originally Posted by EDMUND924

Hello,
I am considering relocating to the York County area for possible employment in Camp Hill. I am seeking opinions on the best place to live as far as low crime, good schools, etc. I would be willing to commute 40 minutes or so to the job in Camp Hill. I did notice that Shrewsberry is about 40 miles from Camp Hill - is this commute doable in 40 minutes in rush hour? Any advice would be appreciated!

If you are moving to York County to work in Camp Hill there is no need to live as far away as Shrewberry. The homes in Shrewsberry are much higher due to it being so close to the MD line. There was a mass exodus, and it is still occurring, of MD residents to York County due to the vast difference in home prices. Shrewsberry was one of the first areas in York County to grow and thus resulted in current home prices being high as well. York County is growing, but at present it is experiencing a very slow real estate market. Thats good new for anyone looking to purchase a home here right now. The opportunities for great deals are abundant. Anywhere on 83 from the Emigsville exit north would be an excellent area to start looking. I actually am trying to sell a home, brand new w/ 4 br. 2 1/2 baths along with everything else you would expect a new home would come with. If you want info on it or others in the area I am more than willing to help.

[hershuhl]

Have lived in York County my entire life. Shrewsbury is expensive housing due to constant pressure from Marylanders moving up. Even with the housing slump, it is still much higher than if you head further north. A commute on I83 N would be a nightmare from Shrewsbury. Also, the medical care in the southern part of York County leave a lot to be desired, and very long waits for services. Many doctors and dentists are NOT taking new patients, due to the influx from MD. Further north, you have easy access to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, for better medical care and an excellent medical school-type environment overall.

Try Mechanicsburg or Dillsburg. One is in Cumberland County NW of Camp Hill, and the other at the northern tip of York County, slightly SW of Camp Hill. The commutes would both be short and similar on traffic. There is a military facility in Mechanicsburg, and the downtown is quaint, civil war era.

However, there is lots of sophisticated shopping in the suburbs, and a very low crime rate for either location. Both of these towns are fairly close to one another, maybe a 15 minute car drive apart.

Not sure about the schools for Mechanicsburg, but Northern York School District serves Dillsburg area. Dillsburg has a VERY popular drive in movie theatre, AND a sprint car race track.

A more general recommentation would be to live NORTH of the I-83 exit called "Reeser's Summit". That exit is on a large, high hill, and during the winter, there are always MAJOR tractor trailer accidents on that hill. It ices up first, and usually ends up closed. You'd never get in or out from Shrewsbury.

Honestly, my best recommendation would be NOT to do an I-83 commute at all. It's only a 2-lane interstate, and it's rough, accident ridden, heavy with truck and car traffic, and always under repair. It can be old and decrepit in sections.

Dillsburg and Mechanicsburg would keep you totally AWAY from an I-83 commute.

Good luck!

[mleo]

I tend to agree with my fellow posters on this one. If you will be working in Camp Hill there really isn't a reason to commute from York County. There are beautiful homes and great school districts in the immediate area. The borough of Camp Hill is a wonderful place to start looking because its an upscale, quaint community with a great school district. If you want to venture out a bit then I would recommend checking out the following communities:
- Hampden Township
- New Cumberland
- East Pennsboro
- Lewisberry
- Susquehanna Township
- Hershey

If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me directly. Good luck!