York, PA what's the real deal?

[nocturnal rooster]

York county is horrible. You have the hillbillies clashing with the African Americans, which means higher crime and drugs. I don't recommend living there.

[Orion17]

Nocturnal, when you paint with a broad stroke, you do the entire human race a disservice.

I would love for you to walk down a street in the outer ring of Baltimore City, and then do so in York City (the worst part of this county) and tell me where you feel safer.

To the original poster, it seems as if you will be working in Baltimore COunty as I do. If you have the ability to flex schedule, I would recoomend that. I-83 is the only route South that makes sense, and I leave @ 5 am to beat traffic.

But as others have said, it is not the worst area for either of your concerns. Schools are good, and this is b/c of the school tax which is separate, and considerable higher, than the property tax. THis gives way to new schools and a sense of community with the Highschool sports teams.

Also teachers are unionized and do not give up these jobs for said reason. It is a fiece competition for a teaching Job which helps give York County great teachers.

Overall, it sounds as if not the City but the surrounding suburbs would work well for your family.

[atstube]

I fell in love with this city some time ago while driving here to tranlate for an immigration court. What I liked originally was the width and beauty of the old mansion houses along Market Street. Also the original surprize is Maple Donuts. Having spent countles hours during college in La Valle Maryland, had not prepared me for this delicacy, made in York.
The limited crime we experienced was when two neighbor kids scrapped up our new car in the garage. Kids will be kids, the parents quickly fixed it. Being in Indonesia, York Air Con seemed to compete neck in neck with Marylands Air Coil.
It is always scary having mixed kids, to the parents, in our neighborhood in Dover, north of York in one block there are two families. It is just a matter of how we meet families . Mixing things up cuts down on suntanning time.
Life in York is fun, I would like to see the Industry museum, the Harley Davidson plant, but don't forget the Chocolate Candy plant. Yum yum.
I like also the split houses along the front of the Exhibition Area, Florida St. They are like the Dutch colonial on Pandanaran St in Indonesia.
Good Christian education is in Manchester, Red Lion. Lobby for School Vouchers!! The Luthern School downtown Dover provides an excellent pre School. No...East West, York is Best!

[CRob2000]

To understand York, you have to understand its place in the region. It's 45" from Baltimore, 30" from Harrisburg, 30" from Lancaster, and 30" from Gettysburg. Therefore, people who live in York usually socialize in those nearby areas. African-American Yorkers often socialize in Harrisburg or Baltimore. Hispanic Yorkers often socialize in Lancaster. Very few people live their whole lives in York and never go outside of it - looking at York only misses that point. So when you visit, understand that York has a central location in the region. People here tend to "mind their own business" and expect you to do the same. I wouldn't say that's rude or unfriendly - others may disagree. The bottom line is that Yorkers are not hostile: in fact, they have the lowest rates of personal and property crime in the region.

[Morale Officer]

I didn't really look too hard at some of these replys, so forgive me if I repeat something. I was born and raised in York County (Spry actually) and currently live and work here as well (I spent a few years in SE PA). I use to work in the city and loved working in the city while my body held out (I just recently changed jobs an am working in the county). Outside the city is good. County schools are fairly good as well (I'm a Dallastown Grad). I do have to add in here that York does have a history of "hate groups." A friend of mine from college went through his Sociology book (he's a social worker now) and counted the number of hate groups in the state by county...York was unfortunately in the top 5. In my experience it depends on where you live as to how people are accepted. It's not as bad as some make it out to be, but there is a certain amount of "non-acceptance" (sry, I can't think of a better word at the moment) of any group of people...equal opportunity bigotry shall we say. As for crime...just stay out of the city. As for schools...once again, stay out of the city. The best schools in the county (from personal experience) are Dallastown, York Suburban, and Central. Hope that helps, and again, sry if I repeated somethign someone else said.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by CRob2000

To understand York, you have to understand its place in the region. It's 45" from Baltimore, 30" from Harrisburg, 30" from Lancaster, and 30" from Gettysburg. Therefore, people who live in York usually socialize in those nearby areas. African-American Yorkers often socialize in Harrisburg or Baltimore. Hispanic Yorkers often socialize in Lancaster. Very few people live their whole lives in York and never go outside of it - looking at York only misses that point. So when you visit, understand that York has a central location in the region. People here tend to "mind their own business" and expect you to do the same. I wouldn't say that's rude or unfriendly - others may disagree. The bottom line is that Yorkers are not hostile: in fact, they have the lowest rates of personal and property crime in the region.

uhhh.. It's more like 45 minutes from Harrisburg, and 45-60 minutes to gettysburg.

[Morale Officer]

Originally Posted by Marodi

uhhh.. It's more like 45 minutes from Harrisburg, and 45-60 minutes to gettysburg.

It depends on where in York you are and what time of day you are traveling. It only takes me about 30 minutes to get to Harrisburg from where I am (not during rush hour).

[sharris]

We are very open to all in york County PA. i would focus on taxes and schools more then race. There are pockets of places that are not so enjoyable. In all I would sujest Spring grove, Hanover, Thomasville,York Springs, manchester. and or Dover.all are very close to York City but you will enjoy some space and quite.Look on SchoolMatters - Home for some school reports. Good luck to you.