BERKS, YORK, or LANCASTER? (Reading, Wyomissing: houses, neighborhood, school districts)

[aquadreamer]

Please, please, please, I need some advice!!! My family and I currently live in the Lehigh Valley area and would like to get out of our "hellhole" suburban neighborhood. We are sick of the neighborhood gossip, rules and bad-influencing neighbors affecting our kids. When we moved into this great "cookie cutter" house, we found out we were lied to regarding our lot, workmanship, etc. We are wiser and smarter this time around, and are looking for some real, honest, opinions about the areas surrounding Berks, Lancaster, and York counties. It seems the houses are not too out of our price range, school districts are good, and the taxes seem like they are a little bit lower than our current location. Schools are #1 for us, and I do admit I like my shopping and things to do with the kids. I have to be in (or near) an area where there's stuff going on (which is why I like the Lehigh Valley so much). I've been on this computer for days looking up info about the areas previously mentioned, and I am going around in circles!!! I would love to hear the truth straight from the horse's mouth. I will admit I still want to be in the suburbs, just not right on top of my neighbor (1 acre lots are ideal). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!

[Morale Officer]

I would have to say look at the school districts first and see if they are in areas with your criterea. For the Lancaster area, I'd actually suggest looking at the Manheim Central area...you're sort of 'out in the boonies' (I said sort of here), but at the same time, Manheim is in the middle of a whole lot with easy access to even more. If you look at York, as far as new developments I know there's a lot of places being put up in Manchester Township, Lower Windsor Township, as well as I believe York Township and the Dallastown, Red Lion, and Central School districts. It just depends on what exactly you're looking for. Depending on where you look in York, you can be right in the middle of some stuff (there's 2 malls here and some other little stuff) or right in the middle of easy access (like in Manheim) to other stuff. I know that wasn't real good descriptions, but I hope it helped a little.

[Icy Tea]

I don't think Berks or Lancaster will be too different from Lehigh,not Berks anyway. Many of the "cookie cutter" developments have had people from the same areas move in, from eastern Philly suburb counties, Philly, and New York and New Jersey. I'm not knocking all of these people but many have brought problems with them. You could get an older home away from the burbs and not in a new development where things would probably be alot more quiet. Schools are very good to excellent, outside of Reading, and taxes would be a little lower. Lancaster and Berks have great shopping as well as sports and all kinds of activities. I know of some mcmansions( 3 car garages, 5 BRs) being built with one acre lots in Exeter in Berks, but they start at around $700,000. Nearby more homes go for $350,000( 4 Brs, 2 car garages). Amity twp has developments too but I'd say they are more the cookie cutter variety. Hope that helps.

[aquadreamer]

Thank you to those who replied to my post...I appreciate any info I can get! I have narrowed my school district search down based on a website I found with all of the current math and reading percentages from the PSSA's. That is why I chose Berks, Lancaster and York. They seem to have several districts in each worth taking my kids to. They currently attend East Penn, so I want something comparable to that. I guess what I am looking for is a smaller version, or something like the Lehigh Valley area. They have a lot going on here, but we are afraid it's going to become another N.J. (no offense to anyone). My husband and I want something a little more rural, but want to be close enough to the action. With this said, is there anything else I should know about these counties?
I came from a rust belt city and prefer to be in an area where it is not economically depressed. I really like the L.V.; weather is much better than where I grew up (believe it or not), the scenery is pretty, and there is plenty to do. Something similar would be great. By the way, any info on Cumberland County? I researched this too, evn drove down to the area to check it out. Any thought would be appreciated. Thanks again!

[lititzman2003]

If you're looking for rural you may better off looking in Lancaster and York counties. Wyomissing and Twin Valley are great school districts but the county seems to be getting more crowded lately. Most of the Lancaster school districts are highly rated, especially Manheim Township. You may just want to contact realtors from the three counties you're interested in and see what they have to say. Best of luck with your decision; you can't go wrong with the choice you make.

[aquadreamer]

Thanks so much...I appreciate any info that will narrow my search down!

[AutumnxBreeze]

My family & I are planning on moving to Lancaster County next year from Long Island. I have visited Pennsylvania plenty of times, in all areas and always liked Lancaster the best. You can be what seems like far from it all, but be within a short drive to everything you need. It is certainly beautiful there with so much to offer, I can't wait to move there. We chose Lancaster County because of its beauty, affordable living, great schools and just the feel you get from being there. I have been to the Lehigh Valley area, and although it was great to visit, I wouldn't want to live there.

Good luck with your search and sorry I couldn't be of much help. I DO know the Manheim Township & Hempfield school districts are excellent in Lancaster County. I have a very smart daughter that will be attending school in Lancaster County and heard nothing but good things about these schools. I'm sure you've visited the area, but I suggest going again and exploring all the various options. Decide for yourself which area would suit YOU and your family best.

Again, Good luck!

[NYMD67]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

If you're looking for rural you may better off looking in Lancaster and York counties. Wyomissing and Twin Valley are great school districts but the county seems to be getting more crowded lately. Most of the Lancaster school districts are highly rated, especially Manheim Township. You may just want to contact realtors from the three counties you're interested in and see what they have to say. Best of luck with your decision; you can't go wrong with the choice you make.

Where is the Twin Valley School District? What townships does that district include? We are relocating to the area and have tried to concentrate on the Wyomissing or Wilson school districts. If we can expand our search a little, we were considering Conrad Weisner (sp?) but have been told it is far away from conveniences... so if Twin Valley is close to the shopping areas in Wyomissing, it could be a consideration for us.

[aquadreamer]

I can help only by way of references, which is how I am finding out al ot of info about counties, schools, etc. Search "Berks County Wikipedia" and you'll get info about where the school districts are located. Just scroll down the page and you will see a couple of maps to the right. Those will help. You can search any county info on Wikipedia that way. Also, I discoverd a website that lists all the PSSA scores for the entire state of PA. Go to : Pennsylvania Department of Education (Hope I did that one correctly - I'm not the most refined computer whiz!) I, personally, always want to know how the schools are doing. But opinions do count as well. Those I cannot give you. Good luck, and I hope this will guide you into making a sound decision.

[motorbtr]

Originally Posted by AutumnxBreeze

My family & I are planning on moving to Lancaster County next year from Long Island. I have visited Pennsylvania plenty of times, in all areas and always liked Lancaster the best. You can be what seems like far from it all, but be within a short drive to everything you need. It is certainly beautiful there with so much to offer, I can't wait to move there. We chose Lancaster County because of its beauty, affordable living, great schools and just the feel you get from being there. I have been to the Lehigh Valley area, and although it was great to visit, I wouldn't want to live there.

Good luck with your search and sorry I couldn't be of much help. I DO know the Manheim Township & Hempfield school districts are excellent in Lancaster County. I have a very smart daughter that will be attending school in Lancaster County and heard nothing but good things about these schools. I'm sure you've visited the area, but I suggest going again and exploring all the various options. Decide for yourself which area would suit YOU and your family best.

Again, Good luck!

Hi Autumbreeze,

I am also from LI and just got back from Lancaster last night, family vacation with the kids. I have been visiting PA all of my life and we just decided to plan a move their. Lancaster/York area rates high for us. We are at the begining of our research though. I love LI but just can't do it anymore and desperatly desire the quality of life i believe Lancaster can offer. Are you moving for the same reasons? Have you looked at employment? I appreciate your insights since we are in similar situations.