Hi, All! New to city-data.com! Hoping for some "retire in PA" options/advice! (Chester: sale, crime)

[were-to-retire-wolf]

Originally Posted by John123_456_789

Country living very inexpensively and only 4 hours to NYC and 90 min to DC & BALT. The name of the town is Chambersburg, PA. (It would be worth your studying the area...such as real estate costs, small cultural scene, farmer's markets, amish foods and furniture, and while only 90 mins. from DC where there is a wonderful world of culture. Chambersburg proper has approx 20k people with the surrounding areas it's about 150k. It's beautiful here, very very quiet yet close to happenings.

Thank you for your response. I've come across favorable comments w/r/t Chambersburg in a few other posts and it does sound like it warrants closer investigation. If anyone on C-D would like to volunteer their thoughts about Chambersburg -- whether they be 'pro' or 'con' -- I'd love to hear them!

[were-to-retire-wolf]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

Doylestown is an excellent choice, but much higher COL - houses and taxes in Bucks county- than most places further in-state.

Yes, based on a preliminary review of a couple of real estate listing sites, it appears that Doylestown may be a bit too much [$, that is.]. Looking to downsize (house size, property taxes, etc.) in retirement.

any thoughts along the lines of ... "like Doylestown, but more affordable" ?

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by were-to-retire-wolf

Thank you for your response. I've come across favorable comments w/r/t Chambersburg in a few other posts and it does sound like it warrants closer investigation. If anyone on C-D would like to volunteer their thoughts about Chambersburg -- whether they be 'pro' or 'con' -- I'd love to hear them!

Chambersburg is know to have a decent amount of illegals. I know the school system had an issue with integrating the new students.

From 2015:
On June 18, the Lucha Pro Licencias coalition will hold statewide vigils supporting unmarked driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in Philadelphia, Reading, Pittsburgh, York, Harrisburg and Chambersburg.

[ki0eh]

Carlisle would have an edge in homegrown cultural offerings (more prestigious college, plus graduate law and war schools) and more used to interchange with the outside world, vs. Chambersburg, plus Carlisle is closer to Phila/NYC by the distance between. Some town and country areas in Carlisle are leafy pretty. It's too bad the US 11 connection between I-81 and the Turnpike is so ugly and gives many their lasting impression of the area, locals avoid that "Miracle Mile" in Middlesex Twp. Chambersburg area still has more production agriculture with non-relocatee-friendly noise and smell, vs. the farmettes/spec land you mostly have around Carlisle anymore.

[were-to-retire-wolf]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Chambersburg is know to have a decent amount of illegals. I know the school system had an issue with integrating the new students.

From 2015:
On June 18, the Lucha Pro Licencias coalition will hold statewide vigils supporting unmarked driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in Philadelphia, Reading, Pittsburgh, York, Harrisburg and Chambersburg.

BCB: Thanks for the info! I see from that your location mentions Pittsburgh. I've seen Pitt mentioned positively more than a few times in various retirement-related articles online. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about Pitt as a retirement destination. --- w-t-r-w

[were-to-retire-wolf]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

Carlisle would have an edge in homegrown cultural offerings (more prestigious college, plus graduate law and war schools) and more used to interchange with the outside world, vs. Chambersburg, plus Carlisle is closer to Phila/NYC by the distance between. Some town and country areas in Carlisle are leafy pretty. It's too bad the US 11 connection between I-81 and the Turnpike is so ugly and gives many their lasting impression of the area, locals avoid that "Miracle Mile" in Middlesex Twp. Chambersburg area still has more production agriculture with non-relocatee-friendly noise and smell, vs. the farmettes/spec land you mostly have around Carlisle anymore.

ki0eh: Thanks for the reply! Took a quick look at some online real estate listings in Carlisle. Based on that admittedly scant amount of data, Carlisle seems like a decent enough place. Property taxes look to be a bit on the high side, though. --- w-t-r-w

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by were-to-retire-wolf

BCB: Thanks for the info! I see from that your location mentions Pittsburgh. I've seen Pitt mentioned positively more than a few times in various retirement-related articles online. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about Pitt as a retirement destination. --- w-t-r-w

You don't want to ask me, I'm looking at WNY as a possible relocation destination. I don't know if you would even consider other parts of NY. It is a big state.

The suburbs of Harrisburg aren't a bad option if you want to be close to NYC and live in PA. You will have better weather (than Pittsburgh which compares to Seattle), cheaper living, close to good hospitals, close to major cities, close to the mountains (or live in the mountains) and beach, and lots to do.

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by were-to-retire-wolf

ki0eh: Thanks for the reply! Took a quick look at some online real estate listings in Carlisle. Based on that admittedly scant amount of data, Carlisle seems like a decent enough place. Property taxes look to be a bit on the high side, though. --- w-t-r-w

You are going to notice that in PA - there isn't much of a difference in property taxes any longer compared to NY. You aren't going to find great savings crossing the border. It's only a little bit cheaper to live in PA. Also, be careful with property taxes. Every county has a different set up with how the property is assessed and when. Some counties in PA haven't be reassessed in 30 years.

[selhars]

I haven't read ALL the posts year but from what I've read so far...
1) you haven't said you DO NOT want West Chester,….. 2) you've only said you're not sure you'll be able to afford it.

So……..what if you ARE able to afford that area? I mean we are talking more than 10 years out. You don't know WAHT you'll be able to afford that far out.

If you have family in West Chester -- and you can afford the WC area -- would that be your preference?
It seems to fit your criteria…..and there are plenty of options in that area.

Also, what ages will you be at retirement……55 or 70?

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by were-to-retire-wolf

Thank you for your response. I've come across favorable comments w/r/t Chambersburg in a few other posts and it does sound like it warrants closer investigation. If anyone on C-D would like to volunteer their thoughts about Chambersburg -- whether they be 'pro' or 'con' -- I'd love to hear them!

Pros:

-Chambersburg is located along I-81, which allows quick access to large cities in both Pennsylvania and Maryland.

-The town has beautiful rural scenery outside of the sprawling areas.

-The retail and dining scene in Chambersburg is quickly improving, with new stores and restaurants such as BJ's Wholesale Club, TJMaxx, Dick's Sporting Goods, Harbor Freight Tools (in addition to Target, Kohl's, Staples, Hobby Lobby, etc.). New restaurants built/planned include Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, Cafe del Sol, etc. (in addition to others such as Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, TGI Friday's, among others).

-Compared to many Pennsylvania communities near larger metropolitan areas, you get a lot of "bang for your buck" with homes in Chambersburg area.

-Local municipalities outside of the Borough of Chambersburg are generally regarded as having low taxes (Hamilton Township, Greene Township, Guilford Township).

-Outdoor recreation is plentiful, such as Penn National Golf Course (they have a large retirement community as well), Cowan's Gap State Park, Michaux State Forest, etc.

Cons:

-Because of the growth in population over recent years, traffic gets congested at peak hours on many major roads through the Chambersburg area.

-Downtown has a few places to avoid at night (especially around the Southgate area).

-Even though the retail and restaurant scene in Chambersburg is improving, many Chambersburg residents still view Hagerstown, MD as a larger sister-city and opt to shop and dine there because of the greater selection.

-The area surrounding Chambersburg is agricultural, so when the farmers are spreading manure, you can smell it all throughout the area.



If you have any more question, don't hesitate to ask! Here is a link to the Penn National Retirement Community that I mentioned earlier: Retirement Community | Active Retirement Communities in PA