Ephrata, PA (Elizabethtown, Manheim, Elizabeth: crime, houses, neighborhood)

[fopt65]

Considering relocating to this area. Curious about schools, and best and worst parts of living there.
Thanks,
Frank

[heartalaska21]

If you like the city, then Ephrata would be good choice. But if you like the country I would try Manheim or maybe even over in Elizabethtown.

I don't like living in cities, so I would never live in Ephrata. But thats just me. But it's kind of far from everything. There really isn't much in Ephrata.

I would google it, see what comes up

I forgot they do have a really nice Wal-Mart.

[GaryP]

I love Ephrata. I was born and raised here and after a several year absence moved back to raise my family in my old neighborhood. I cannot say enough good about our schools; my son is in the Highland Elementary school and my daughter in the middle school...what a great team of staff, teachers, principals and the like....far better than even when I went there. We have some crime but what town does not...but we have a sizable and very receptive police force...again, I cannot say enough good about our police team (and no, I'm not a cop or a teacher). We have some of the nicest people on earth.

About the only thing I don't like is that in some of the older parts of town, there are very nice old houses which are nicely restored and maintained and a few doors away you can have one which has been neglected and has since been occupied by your basic white trash. It's really a shame but we're working on it, one property, one new owner or landllord at a time...

In short, I call it the center of the universe. I've traveled the country extensively and save perhaps Boulder Colorado and Nashville Tennessee I cannot think of a better place (or more affordable) to raise my family.

Oh, we DO have the best Walmart in the area; we also just got Sonic and a beautiful new Applebees and a sharp new Hampton Inn which overlooks town. And rumors abound that we are about to get a new Giant, as well as possibly Target, Lowes and Home Depot....I feel like Ephrata is just a few steps away from becoming quite a different place...and all for the better.

Hope this helps.