lancaster city

[rabblerouser1]

People from the small towns in Lancaster county think that Lancaster city is horribly unsafe, and say things like "I never drive into The City" or "Make sure you lock your doors when you drive through The City". If you've lived in any other small city in your life, you're not going to be bothered by the crime in Lancaster. I live a few blocks from downtown Lancaster and have never had any problems.

[loganstorm]

Originally Posted by ronmal

Can anyone tell me where to live in lancater city that is safe?

I live in lancaster city it would be better to move on the outskirts of lancaster city. Try east lampeter or lancaster township which would be better. The city is installing alot of new street cameras so we are now one of the most watched cities in the nation. stay away from the south east section of the city thats the roughest part. Hope that helped.

[jdb2009]

Is the area just south of East King Street bad? We're thinking of living just north of there (Parkside Avenue). Anyone have any thoughts on that neighborhood?

[Artie See]

Originally Posted by jdb2009

Is the area just south of East King Street bad? We're thinking of living just north of there (Parkside Avenue). Anyone have any thoughts on that neighborhood?

Parkside Avenue is just north of East King Street in Lancaster Township. It is still a relatively nice neighborhood (my ex-wife lives there!). Across King St. is a relatively suburban area.

[jdb2009]

Thanks so much for the good news! We really like the feel of the neighborhood but got a little scared when we saw crime stats for the 17602 zip code. I'm assuming most of the bad numbers are coming from the southern part of the area.

I'm breathing much easier

Originally Posted by Artie See

Parkside Avenue is just north of East King Street in Lancaster Township. It is still a relatively nice neighborhood (my ex-wife lives there!). Across King St. is a relatively suburban area.

[pearling]

I'd really like help with this too.. My husband and I are (considering) moving to Lancaster in three weeks for a job opportunity. I have no idea what a nicer area to live in is. Hubby will be working downtown near the hospital. We need somewhere nice enough to have our 6 month old live, we can rough it alone but don't really want that now we have a baby.

Thanks in advance..

[Artie See]

Originally Posted by pearling

I'd really like help with this too.. My husband and I are (considering) moving to Lancaster in three weeks for a job opportunity. I have no idea what a nicer area to live in is. Hubby will be working downtown near the hospital. We need somewhere nice enough to have our 6 month old live, we can rough it alone but don't really want that now we have a baby.

Thanks in advance..

I will do my best to describe Lancaster to you. It is laid out in a grid, with the quadrants separated by King Street north and south, and Queen Street east and west. Each quadrant is again divided diagonally in two by one of several streets that cut across the grid, or in some cases the grid changes to match the diagonal.

The southeast quadrant is primarily lower-class individuals, predominantly minorities. Not a nice neighborhood, but it is improving.

The southwest is a working-class neighborhood. Minorities tend to congregate closer to King St., Queen St., and the center of Lancaster. The further from Penn Square, the better the quality of homes. Around Hershey Ave. and West End Ave., especially beyond, the quality of neighborhoods is quite good. A little further to the west is the main part of Lancaster Township, with better quality housing

The northwest is a mix of working-class neighborhoods and people who are well off. Probably the best neighborhoods in Lancaster City are just west and north of Franklin and Marshall College, that is if you don't mind college surveillance cameras and bright lighting along the campus, as well as college security that can be rather agressive at times. Most off-campus students live in the area immediately east of F&M. A little further to the west are some of the nicest homes close to Lancaster, with prices to match.

The northeast is a bit more complicated. Between King, Broad, and New Holland Ave. are found mostly lower-working-class neighborhoods, with a few areas that have nicer newer homes (one of which I live in). Between New Holland Ave. and Queen St. are a better class of row homes. But the best in this part of town are east of Broad Street, in a portion of Lancaster Township. There is also a suburban housing development to the south of E. King St. along the Conestoga River, which is also a part of Lancaster City.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know and I'll be glad to help. (And no, I'm NOT a realtor or city official!)

[jdb2009]

Would you see any problem biking along Orange Street to get into the city (from Parkside to the F&M area)? It seems a little prettier than Walnut, but I saw that there was a shooting there recently...

Thanks again for the info!

Originally Posted by Artie See

I will do my best to describe Lancaster to you. It is laid out in a grid, with the quadrants separated by King Street north and south, and Queen Street east and west. Each quadrant is again divided diagonally in two by one of several streets that cut across the grid, or in some cases the grid changes to match the diagonal.

The southeast quadrant is primarily lower-class individuals, predominantly minorities. Not a nice neighborhood, but it is improving.

The southwest is a working-class neighborhood. Minorities tend to congregate closer to King St., Queen St., and the center of Lancaster. The further from Penn Square, the better the quality of homes. Around Hershey Ave. and West End Ave., especially beyond, the quality of neighborhoods is quite good. A little further to the west is the main part of Lancaster Township, with better quality housing

The northwest is a mix of working-class neighborhoods and people who are well off. Probably the best neighborhoods in Lancaster City are just west and north of Franklin and Marshall College, that is if you don't mind college surveillance cameras and bright lighting along the campus, as well as college security that can be rather agressive at times. Most off-campus students live in the area immediately east of F&M. A little further to the west are some of the nicest homes close to Lancaster, with prices to match.

The northeast is a bit more complicated. Between King, Broad, and New Holland Ave. are found mostly lower-working-class neighborhoods, with a few areas that have nicer newer homes (one of which I live in). Between New Holland Ave. and Queen St. are a better class of row homes. But the best in this part of town are east of Broad Street, in a portion of Lancaster Township. There is also a suburban housing development to the south of E. King St. along the Conestoga River, which is also a part of Lancaster City.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know and I'll be glad to help. (And no, I'm NOT a realtor or city official!)

[Artie See]

Originally Posted by jdb2009

Would you see any problem biking along Orange Street to get into the city (from Parkside to the F&M area)? It seems a little prettier than Walnut, but I saw that there was a shooting there recently...

Thanks again for the info!

I have no problem with Orange St. during the daylight hours (I live 1/2 block from it). Most of Orange St. is OK even after dark.

The shooting was not a random act, the people involved knew each other. It actually happened less than a block east of Broad St. Probably the worst part of Orange St. is from one block east of Broad, on to Plum St.

After midnight, Walnut would be safer.

[jdb2009]

Thanks so much for all this info! I feel a lot better about moving into that neighborhood now. I guess a lot of "drug crime" is stuff that won't affect you that much if you're not involved. We lived in Baltimore for many years and never had any particular problem, because most of the stuff that happened was people who knew each other, like you say.

Thanks again for all your help! I feel very lucky to have someone who can give me an honest reply to these questions...

Originally Posted by Artie See

I have no problem with Orange St. during the daylight hours (I live 1/2 block from it). Most of Orange St. is OK even after dark.

The shooting was not a random act, the people involved knew each other. It actually happened less than a block east of Broad St. Probably the worst part of Orange St. is from one block east of Broad, on to Plum St.

After midnight, Walnut would be safer.