Forested areas near Hershey/Harrisburg? (Elizabeth, Elizabethville: condos, houses, buying)

[AMueller22]

I am going to going to the Hershey Medical Center for work starting near August and my fiance and I will be moving from Southern NH to the Hershey area. We looked at homes last week and were stunned at how different the area is from New England. Are there any areas that are rural but not clear cut? I hate the idea of not having some privacy but it seems that most of the homes are jam-packed together (condos and single family homes) with no trees and in a lot of cases, no back yards or fields other than farmland. Are there areas within about half an hour of Hershey (maybe a little bit more) that aren't clear cut and have homes built?
Does any one know about buying land and building? Does PA have any regulations against manufactured homes (not trailers, but 2 story modulars)?

Thanks!

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by AMueller22

I am going to going to the Hershey Medical Center for work starting near August and my fiance and I will be moving from Southern NH to the Hershey area. We looked at homes last week and were stunned at how different the area is from New England. Are there any areas that are rural but not clear cut? I hate the idea of not having some privacy but it seems that most of the homes are jam-packed together (condos and single family homes) with no trees and in a lot of cases, no back yards or fields other than farmland. Are there areas within about half an hour of Hershey (maybe a little bit more) that aren't clear cut and have homes built?
Does any one know about buying land and building? Does PA have any regulations against manufactured homes (not trailers, but 2 story modulars)?

Thanks!

I'd recommend using google maps and use the satelite function, you'll be able to see what areas are forested to your liking, and which arent.

[tcesni]

Zoning regulations regarding manufactured homes vary by local governmental entity, there are no statewide regulations. PA is a major manufacturer of manufactured homes. If you want trees, look for hilly terrain.

[3232b]

from what i know, that area is in a sort of valley, and to the north and south of harisburg there are forested like mountain areas.

That's the thing about PA. If it's flat. expect farms. If it's mountainous - You've got some Woods.

[sunshine28]

I'm starting a nursing job at Hershey in June & I've been looking for areas like that also. I've lived in Harrisburg before & grew up about an hour north in a small town rural area. You might want to look at Halifax & Elizabethville, they are both somewhat rural areas & not too far from Hershey. Hope this helps! If you need any more info send me a message.

[CHIP72]

There are MANY wooded areas near Harrisburg, though generally speaking you don't have that many areas where you have houses built in heavy tree areas. As was noted above, the most obvious wooded areas are in the mountains just north of Harrisburg.

Incidentally, the immediate Harrisburg area (i.e. within 10 miles of downtown Harrisburg) definitely is not rural, though there are rural-feeling pockets. That's why most of the lots are fairly small; Harrisburg is a decent-sized area.

[Rtom45]

Try the area around Mount Gretna.