Moving to Erie, would like to live Outside in a small town America kind of place (York: houses)

[Evenhanded]

I've been to Mill Creek and Fairview and Frontier, etc, and they seem like any suburb in any city in America. Are there any nice small towns within 20 miles outside of town that have good schools (public OR private), low crime and good values? I'm looking for Mayberry :-)

[kpoeppel]

Edinboro has pretty good schools. Good values? Those are hard to come by anywhere in the USA anymore. Edinboro is a small college town.

Hope you like snow!

[mystree]

Edinboro or Waterford both are an easy commute to Erie.

[Ohiogirl81]

North East, on the New York border, is about 15 miles from downtown and has the look and feel of the idyllic small town. Beautiful old houses in the center of town, and newer houses on the outskirts. Many friends' kids graduated from the school district there, and none seem to have suffered any lingering damage ...

[Evenhanded]

Thanks, I'll definitely look into North East, Edinboro & Waterford.

[FLACOP]

Born & raised in Erie for nearly 30 yrs. We moved down to FL 2 years ago (don't do it!).

Millcreek Township (where I'm from), Waterford, McKean, Fairview, and Girard are good places.

I'd avoid living w/in city limits and also shy away from Harborcreek, Northeast, Wesleyville, and Lawrence Park- they're not bad areas per se but for some reason the drive out to those locations into the city seemed boring.

If you do elect to reside w/in city limits I'd shy away from anything on the east side, i.e. Buffalo Rd, Ash St, Parade St, State St, etc. unless you're looking at like Upper State St (near the Erie Zoo).

The Frontier Park area, near the Bayfront, isn't bad either.

We also liked being close to the Peninsula. Miss those summer afternoon bike rides.

[Rtom45]

I second the suggestions for Girard and Northeast. If you don't mind driving in snow (sometimes lots of snow!), you might want to look at Corry. You'll also have a lot of snow in Northeast, Waterford, and Edinboro.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by FLACOP

I'd avoid living w/in city limits and also shy away from Harborcreek, Northeast, Wesleyville, and Lawrence Park- they're not bad areas per se but for some reason the drive out to those locations into the city seemed boring.

Driving through grape country -- boring? That's God's Country, man!

[kpoeppel]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Driving through grape country -- boring? That's God's Country, man!

I second that. Californians will pay a million dollars for a run-down house as long as it overlooks a vinyard. Northeast has very nice scenery I think.

I don't know many people who choose to live in a place based on how interesting the drive is.

Corry would be quite a drive to Erie everyday (probably 45 mins at least), especially in the winter since it is in the heart of the snowbelt and quite hilly.

[kpoeppel]

I would say if you are looking for some kind of quasi-romantic place to live, Northeast would be a good choice, due to the farmland and vinyards. It's also near the lake, which is very nice in the summer.