Where do you think is most welcoming to NJ and NYers? (Lancaster: transplants, neighborhood) - City-Data Forum

familymom · 10-08-2008, 05:58 AM

I keep hearing about how unwelcoming people are in the Lancaster County area, especially of people from NJ and NY. Do you think that the Hershey area or the Mechanicsburg area would be more welcoming than Lititz or Manheim areas. Especially the school age children for outsiders.

Not sure if one area is growing quicker than others, but don't want to move to an area where the locals will think "Oh no another NJ person!" and not even care to know us.

Awesomo.2000 · 10-08-2008, 06:05 AM

God, are you are out to build another sprawling housing suburb in eastern PA? I don't want to sound mean, but I do with people who sprawl. If you don't move power to you!

I wish Eastern PA would stop turning into New Jersey. The most beautiful farm land in the nation yet being turned into everywhereville. These sprawling suburbinites are the ones who got us into this economic crisis, and my generation is going to pay. 60 years of destroying the environment and living past our means is what the American dream is.

If your moving to PA, build in a smart growth area. Move to a real town and don't sprawl. Just my suggestion.

firefightermom · 10-08-2008, 07:42 AM

Hi, I recently moved from MD to Chambersburg, PA and heard the exact same thing about how locals will hate us since we're outsiders. Like Awesomo.2000, many native Pennsylvanians are against any new building, but just like anywhere, places are built when there is growth and demand. As long as the state and local governments make sure that growth is monitored and not allowed to take over an area, things should be fine. PA should look at Montgomery Cty, MD as an example of what NOT to do.

After 7 months, I have to say that I have not met one person who was mean to any of my family b/c we were from elsewhere. My son started kindergarten this year, and we have met many natives and transplants, and people have been nicer and more friendly than most of the people we knew in MD. Strangers say hi to us at Walmart! The gas station attendant expressed concern at my husband's sprained wrist! Take what you hear with a grain of salt.

Also, I am orginally from Ohio--moved to MD b/c my husband was from there. My Dad is from Louisiana and went to Ohio in the 60's for a better job. So we should all be treated like outsiders forever? Lots of people move around, and those close-minded people who think no one else is allowed in their state must not go out much or something! Just don't understand it myself! I would love for someone to explain it to me nicely, without taking my head off, like so many people do on these threads. My hometown is not the same as when I left it 19 years ago. My dad's little town is entirely different than when he left 42 years ago. I loved Ohio but my life took me elsewhere...and sometimes you just have to do what is better for your family.

Good luck and God bless!

BPP1999 · 10-08-2008, 08:03 AM

Good post, firefightermom.

Where I live (SE PA), doesn't really get lots of transplants who are moving in to save money, so I really can't comment one way or the other, but I have found from reading these posts that it's the people from the parts of PA that are economic swamplands that complain about newcomers. I'll never understand how someone can live in an area that has done almost nothing to improve its own economy and then complain about new middle class residents moving in, as if that's somehow a bad thing.

llzpa · 10-08-2008, 09:43 AM

I know, I am probably biased because I grew up in the Mechanicsburg area. We live in a brand new neighborhood in Silver Spring Township and love the fact that the neighborhood is attracting people from everywhere. My son switched schools last year and I have found that both elementary schools were great. I feel that people from New Jersey and/or New York would be more than welcome here.

loose cannon · 10-08-2008, 12:09 PM

This is still somewaht a free country. Albeit it may have become a little more Socialist, but as far as personal decisions you are still free. To heck with these small minded, insular, wack jobs. You go where you wanna go and if they don't like it, well tell them to stick it! There are no fences on 81 and 78 to separate people. There is no border patrol. So, NYers, and NJers come on over if you wish. I personally would reccomend going further South, but if it's PA that you want come on in!

nocturnal rooster · 10-08-2008, 12:18 PM

Pa is not welcoming to outsiders at all. They sneer at them.

bobsmith · 10-08-2008, 12:42 PM

I honestly never saw conflict with outsiders comming into PA. When I went to school in Newtown (about 10 miles from NJ) about half of my class was born in New Jersey and moved here with their families in the 80s or 90s. I myself was born in the Chicago area and came here in 1996 and felt nothing but welcomed by Pennslyvanians, now after spending more of my life in Pennsylvania than Illinois I feel much more a Pennsylvanian than I did an Illinoisian.

familymom · 10-08-2008, 07:49 PM

Thank you for all your kind words. I really don't think we are unlikeable people and would probably make friends no matter where we land. If someone doesn't want to be our friends, well its probably for the best. I can't understand why people are against sprawl. I welcomed newer developments in our town. I saw it as way for new people to come in and keep the town and economic alive.

dugdogmaster · 10-08-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by familymom

I can't understand why people are against sprawl. I welcomed newer developments in our town. I saw it as way for new people to come in and keep the town and economic alive.

There's a huge difference between sprawl and development in general. Sprawl completely ruins the natural environmental beauty of an area. Towns and cities can expand, develop and grow economically without sprawl.