Harrisburg vs Lewisburg - Work, bills, housing, etc? (Philadelphia, Erie: car insurance, townhouse)

[lialleycat]

I'm researching a move to either the Harrisburg or Lewisburg areas (but am still open to others) and I have a few questions.

1. For a house in a safe area, with a bit of property (over half an acre) within commuting distance of one of the two towns and around 1000 - 1200 sq ft, what are the average monthly bills? On Long Island, my average electric bill is $200, water $10, car insurance for 9 year old SUV $140, Taxes $460, and tv(2)/internet/phone $125. Making the average cost for living in my house about $2230/mo before food.

2. What, if anyone knows, would be the average salary for an young Office Manager and are there decent jobs available? Here on the island, my position averages between 35,000-50,000 for my experience level, depending on where you go and the size of the organization.

I want to have a better idea of what services cost in order to be able to figure what salary will be an improvement from my current situation. I don't think I'll ever be able to get ahead as a single person on Long Island unless I win lotto or become a brain surgeon!

Also, if anyone cares to comment on which city they think I'd 'fit' best, please do. I'm a young divorced woman (who plans to stay single) who enjoys the outdoors, including gardening, hiking, horseback riding and motorcycle riding. I'd love to join clubs to meet people with these same interests. I'm not overly religious and won't attend church, however, I respect those who do. I'm a vegetarian, but not the pushy type that likes to tell everyone else how to eat. I'm trying to live a green life, and do my best to be environmentally friendly (yeah, dispite the old SUV - I just can't afford a new car). I'd love a place where I could walk or bike (pedal) to the corner grocery to pick up a few items for dinner and be within a 30 minute drive to work.

Thanks for reading my long post. I'm hoping by being more specific, I'll be able to get the best answer for me!

[Dawne]

I cannot speak to Harrisburg, but here's what you can expect in Lewisburg:

Electric would be about $100 to $200 per month depending on what you have - AC in summer, electric hot water heater, electric heat - those would all push your bill higher.

Water depends on your usage. Where I live we are billed $90 per quarter, or $30 per month.

I imagine your car insurance would go down. We pay (through Erie Insurance) $550 PER YEAR on a 1998 Ford Explorer and 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Depending on where your house would be, taxes could range from $100 per month up to what you're paying now. However, I doubt you'd find a 1000-1200 SF house in one of the new expensive developments, so I guess around $200 to $250 per month would be a good estimate.

TV/Internet/Phone would run you about the same.

You'd also have a garbage bill because garbage collection is handled by people personally and not through taxes. We pay $60 per quarter and can put out up to four yard/leaf-size bags for that amount, so $20 per month. If you want fewer bags, which you probably would, it would be less, maybe $10 per month.

I can't help you out on salary either, but if you plan to work in Harrisburg, your commute from Lewisburg would be 60 to 90 minutes one way, so that's definitely something to consider. You would be paid more in Harrisburg, but I'm betting your expenses (especially taxes and car insurance) will be higher there.

In the Lewisburg area there are many motorcycle runs that are done as benefits for charities. That's a great way to meet new motorcycle enthusiasts. There's also a group called BACA (bikers against child abuse) that is very active in the area. There's a horse farm and riding stable just outside Lewisburg on Route 45.

If you're new to the area you may find that neighbors will invite you to their church, but if you politely refuse that should be the end of it. I don't think anyone would go out of their way to "save" you. Being a vegetarian is not really an issue, especially in a college town like Lewisburg. Just so you're not "in your face" about it, and it sounds as though you're not.

I can't think of any corner grocery stores you could walk or peddle to in Lewisburg, but there is a drug store downtown (CVS) and I think a bakery, as well as many other wonderful little shops and stores and restaurants, and a movie theater.

Hopefully someone can give you a comparison from the Harrisburg area perspective.

[lialleycat]

Thanks Dawne!

So salaries and cost of living will be more in Harrisburg than Lewisburg. Good thing to know. I'll have to weigh that against any job offers.

I used to be involved with BACA here on the island, but then there was some power struggle and other issues (gossiping and such) that made it negative to be involved with, so I stopped going. I try to keep only positive things in my life, and eliminate or reduce the negatives as much as possible!

As to the car insurance, we know we're getting killed here, but there isn't an alternative so we have to put up with it. And that insurance is for a good driver too, I can't imagine what it would be if I had an accident or something.

Topographically, is Lewisburg the same rolling hills as Lancaster or is it more hilly like Stroudsburg?

Since you mentioned driving, it raised another question, what's the current gas prices out there? Ours are about 3.89 to 4.19 in my neighborhood for 87 octane.

[danwxman]

I can't speak to paying bills (sorry - I rent!) but I would imagine most of the bills are going to be cheaper in PA then on Long Island. As for Harrisburg being a good fit, I think it probably would. You really have the best of both worlds here, with the ability to be a in a small yet cosmopolitan city but also in the suburbs, small towns or rural areas within minutes. Being the capital city attracts lots of office and white-collar jobs, and there is usually a steady stream of job openings. As for outdoor activities, there are plenty. Numerous hiking and biking trails in the city and suburbs, including a greenbelt which runs around the city limits. Both Lewisburg and Harrisburg are generally considered Republican strongholds, though Harrisburg itself is liberal and Dauphin county has been swinging towards the Democrats in registration and voting patterns lately. Lots of bikers, especially in Harrisburg's eastern suburbs it seems.

[Dawne]

I would say the Lewisburg area has rolling hills. The town itself is flat but there are hills all around. Lewisburg and Harrisburg are both along the river (West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Lewisburg, and main Susquehanna River - after West and North branches combine in Sunbury - in Harrisburg) so they're relatively flat. I actually live outside Selinsgrove on top of a quite large hill. I'm not all that familiar with the terrain around Stroudsburg, but the Lancaster area seems more flat than here - with much more rolling farmland. We have lots of farmland here too, but some of it is on hillsides.

Current gas prices here are just a bit less than yours - at $3.69 for 87 octane. It's usually between 10 and 20 cents cheaper down toward Harrisburg. Even with most of the nation raising gas prices because of the hurricane recently, our prices remained steady.

[lialleycat]

Danwxman,
Thanks for the reply. I really like the idea of "having the best of both worlds" with both city and rural activities. I saw a decent amount of bikes in the Lancaster area while vacationing, I'm wondering how they deal with the horse droppings! New hazard I'd have to learn, I guess!

Dawne,
Thanks for the information. As soon as I get a free weekend, I intend to come out there to see the area for myself. I have an aunt who lives in East Stroudsburg and I remember their area as being very hilly. It reminded me of some areas of CT, like around Danbury/Bethel.

[llzpa]

I agree with Dan, the Harrisburg area would be a good fit. The other thing that is great about the area is the convenience to other cities. We live in Mechanicsburg and frequently travel to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., etc. Also, many of the areas have farmers markets, parks and lots of things to do. As for an office manager salary...obviously it would depend on your qualifications and the responsibilities of the job, but I would say low to mid $30's +. Gas has really dropped here recently. I just filled up yesterday for somewhere around $3.07. Housing really depends on area and if you are willing to go older, etc. I would say you could find something in that square foot range for anywhere from $100,000-$200,000. You can look for jobs in the area on the Patriot New's website. They are they Harrisburg area's newspaper. It is Central PA Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - PennLive.com. Let me know if you have any questions.

[BackToTheCityMouse]

Hi! I live in suburban Susuqehanna township on Harrisburg's eash shore and the cost of living for us is very close to the numbers you quoted. Our home is an 1800 sq ft townhouse, and we have a small mortage. That payment (which includes escrow for property taxes and homeowners' insurance) would be included in the $2300 before food. I am originally from Mercer County, New Jersey. The only real cost of living savings here is cheaper housing (our home would sell in NJ for about $450K instead of $190K), but that can be a negative if you plan to move later to an area with higher housing costs -- your equity will grow much more slowly and will have started at a much lower number.

Be warned that pay scales here are much lower in either Lewisburg or Harrisburg than further east. You can expect an extended job search, and be prepared for possibly being offered salaries as low as 1/2 of what folks earn where you live now for any type of office position, even in some of the professions. Get a job offer first before you commit to any purchase, rent, or even the move.

As for politics, the town of Lewisburg seems quite liberal to me, as is downtown Harrisburg. Harrisburg suburbs are blushing more red all the time as folks move in from the adjacent rural areas to save commuting costs. Based on your lifestyle description, I think you would like Lewsiburg. As a woman, I find Harrisburg a bit too male oriented, with some activities for families (women with kids). Lewisburg, last time I visited, looked kind of college town funky (Bucknell is there!) with small indie restaurants, clothing and home furnishing boutiques. Plus great antiquing in the area: shows, co-ops, and estate auctions.

No matter which area you decide on, check any properties of interest for flood risk before you decide on housing.

[lialleycat]

llzpa,
Thanks for the information and the newspaper link. I'll definately check that out. Gas has dropped here also, but it's still between 3.39 - 3.89 or at least that's the range I passed on my 20 minute drive home.

CityMouse,
Thanks for the info as well. I may just end up letting a job decide the location for me. I'm considering hunting in both locations and see what offers I get. I'm not in a position where I have to leave immediately, so I have time to find the right job. I could happily work for a college though!

I'm hoping to get to spend a few days in Lewisburg to get a better feel for that area, but I've been short on cash since my cat's been sick (she's doing better now) and the vet bills are a killer here! Maybe next month.

[Dawne]

Originally Posted by lialleycat

I could happily work for a college though!

You could check into Bucknell in Lewisburg or Susquehanna in Selinsgrove. Both hire office workers frequently.

Here are the links:

https://jobs.bucknell.edu/applicants...=1223562902953

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