Harrisburg vs Lebanon vs Reading (Colonial Park, Hershey: low crime, best schools, camp)

[JAAS]

I have read so many negative opinions of these 3 areas. Does anyone know them well enough to compare and tell me which is outright dangerous and which are just needing some TLC. I won't live in the city.. in a suburb of any of the 3. Just need someone who can tell me which areas are good enough that you wouldnt mind being affiliated with that city. Can't be worse than areas like Newark or areas in NYC.. right?

[danwxman]

Where are people reading all these negatives opinions of Harrisburg? lol I have been trying to debunk most of the common misconceptions.

If you don't want to live in the city, just about all of Harrisburg's suburbs are plenty safe with good schools and easy access to most amenities. I don't know about Reading, but Harrisburg has a bustling downtown with nightclubs, restaurants and businesses that are very busy on the weekends...plus (obviously being the state capital) a large daytime workforce population.

What exactly are you looking for?

[Marodi]

Yeah, like dan said people dislike parts of the city of harrisburg, but virtually everything else about it is amazing.

I've lived in both Reading and Harrisburg, and I'd have to say Harrisburg is significantly better.

[Rtom45]

Harrisburg is definitely the best choice of the 3 you listed. My wife's family is from Elizabethtown (south of Harrisburg) and I've spent a lot of time in that area. Compared to other cities in PA. Reading has a high crime rate. And compared to Harrisburg, Lebenon isn't much. Also, my daughter lived in Lebanon for awhile and hated it. We visited her a few times and weren't impressed.

[JAAS]

Sounds like Harrisburg is the preferred area.. Not really interested in Reading anyway.

The only thing about Lebanon county is the Cornwall-Lebanon school district gets such rave reviews... wasn't sure if anyone knows what areas in Harrisburg have the best schools. Want a nice suburb with very modern educational curriculum.. lots of services (daughter on Autism spectrum).

Any info?

Thanks for the feedback.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by JAAS

Sounds like Harrisburg is the preferred area.. Not really interested in Reading anyway.

The only thing about Lebanon county is the Cornwall-Lebanon school district gets such rave reviews... wasn't sure if anyone knows what areas in Harrisburg have the best schools. Want a nice suburb with very modern educational curriculum.. lots of services (daughter on Autism spectrum).

Any info?

Thanks for the feedback.

Well from what i've read for schools, camp hill is very good. I don't really know though, 2nd hand info.

[CHIP72]

I'd guess Hershey and Cumberland Valley (schools) are pretty good too.

[danwxman]

Hershey, Cumberland Valley, Camp Hill are generally considered the "best" school districts. Really the only one you want to avoid is the Harrisburg city school district though. The schools are all pretty good in this part of the state.

[sunshine28]

Originally Posted by JAAS

Sounds like Harrisburg is the preferred area.. Not really interested in Reading anyway.

The only thing about Lebanon county is the Cornwall-Lebanon school district gets such rave reviews... wasn't sure if anyone knows what areas in Harrisburg have the best schools. Want a nice suburb with very modern educational curriculum.. lots of services (daughter on Autism spectrum).

Any info?

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm moving to the Hershey-Harrisburg area in June to work at Hershey Med Center & have been researching & checking out the area for awhile. I've talked to a lot of people that live there & have live there including friends & relatives, & from what I've heard Hershey has the best school, low crime, but really high taxes,

I've been warned to stay far away from Lebanon (the city) due to major drug problems, & I also lived in Harrisburg 8 years ago in the Colonial Park area & I thought it was a nice place to live but I don't know about the schools. I would stay away from Harrisburg school district, but my cousins went to both Susquehanna & Central Dauphin East & they thought both were ok.

I've heard crime & drugs are a huge problem in Reading also, other than that I don't know much about that area.

I was just in Hershey Friday looking at places & noticed a school on a side street, I think it was The Vista School & I looked it up & found that it is a school for kids with Autism, so you might want to look into that. Hope this helps!!

Here is the website for the vista school: The Vista School ®

[Marodi]

Well I guess the best indicator of downtown Reading was last year or year before, they wanted to install devices to detect when and where gunshots go off....

Comparing reading and harrisburg, the people in harrisburg are much nicer than those in reading.