Harrisburg vs. New Haven (Hershey, Penn: low crime, theater, school districts)

[adirondack12804]

I'm starting a family and I want to know where the best place to live is. I'm looking for a city with low crime, and very warm summers with little humidity. I need a cold, snowy winter that you can ski and snowboard in. I want it to rain frequently but not enough that I get flooded in. I need to have good health care for my children along with good public schools. I want to have a city with many museums, galleries, theaters, and zoos. I want to many beaches, and a city fairly close to the ocean. Plus, I want to be near a major college or university. I hope you can help me find the perfect place to live!

[danwxman]

From what you mentioned it sounds like New Haven would be a better fit. I'm not familiar with the schools in New Haven, but the Harrisburg city schools are not good. However, the suburban school districts are excellent. We are definetely further from good skiiing and snowboarding, but there are several mountains within an hours drive. Also about 2 hours from the beach.

Harrisburg does have a lot of museums, galleries and a ton of family-oriented events that take place. Healthcare is great in this area with many good hospitals and Penn State Hershey Medical Center (did I mention you're close to Hershey?).

If cost of living is a factor, Harrisburg definetely wins with a much lower cost of living then New England.

[FightinPhils]

I don't think Harrisburg has much in the "major college or university" category either. I don't think HACC or PSU-Harrisburg counts.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by FightinPhils

I don't think Harrisburg has much in the "major college or university" category either. I don't think HACC or PSU-Harrisburg counts.

That's true. There is no major university here, but a large collection of small to medium sized colleges in the region.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by adirondack12804

I'm starting a family and I want to know where the best place to live is. I'm looking for a city with low crime, and very warm summers with little humidity. I need a cold, snowy winter that you can ski and snowboard in. I want it to rain frequently but not enough that I get flooded in. I need to have good health care for my children along with good public schools. I want to have a city with many museums, galleries, theaters, and zoos. I want to many beaches, and a city fairly close to the ocean. Plus, I want to be near a major college or university. I hope you can help me find the perfect place to live!

Well Harrisburg definately has humid summers. This year feels worse than usual, but mabye it's just my memory. Plus we get fairly dry during the summer (sometimes crunchy grass). Not too many museums here, or zoos. The river beaches are closed sometimes due to excessive ecoli. There are a few smaller universities here though, as well as a branch of Penn State.