West of Harrisburg (Lancaster, Lebanon, Carlisle: rentals, college, camp)

[beernrunning]

Looking to move west of Harrisburg, within 30 minutes of the airport. Would prefer "small town w/main street and shops" feel and close to parks and trails for hiking and running. Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg seem to have good reps. Any other suggestions out there?

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by beernrunning

Looking to move west of Harrisburg, within 30 minutes of the airport. Would prefer "small town w/main street and shops" feel and close to parks and trails for hiking and running. Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg seem to have good reps. Any other suggestions out there?

Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg are great. New Cumberland is another nice town. You could also check out Lemoyne, the downtown doesn't look so hot but is getting a nice facelift soon. Elizabethtown and Hummelstown are good towns but on the east side of Harrisburg, still close to the airport (which is on the east shore).

[beernrunning]

Thanks very much!

[beernrunning]

Dan (and certainly others),

You seem like the go-to guy on these forums. I'm sure many people, including myself, appreciate your input. Going to be more specific and pick your brain some more. I'm new to the forum concept, so sorry if I'm a bit off on protocol.

This is piggy-backing on my earlier post "west of Harrisburg". Maybe this is asking for too much, but ideally I'd like:

>Within 30 minutes of Hbg. airport
>Small town with coffee shop and nice bar(s), walkable and safe
>Decent apt. rental options
>Michaux State Forest looks like the most serious BIG WOODS within about 1 hour from Hbg. I'd like to be within 30 minutes of it

Thanks in advance!

[jdhall1]

Maybe check out Carlisle. I went up there a couple of times in college & seems like it has everything boith are looking for.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by beernrunning

Dan (and certainly others),

You seem like the go-to guy on these forums. I'm sure many people, including myself, appreciate your input. Going to be more specific and pick your brain some more. I'm new to the forum concept, so sorry if I'm a bit off on protocol.

This is piggy-backing on my earlier post "west of Harrisburg". Maybe this is asking for too much, but ideally I'd like:

>Within 30 minutes of Hbg. airport
>Small town with coffee shop and nice bar(s), walkable and safe
>Decent apt. rental options
>Michaux State Forest looks like the most serious BIG WOODS within about 1 hour from Hbg. I'd like to be within 30 minutes of it

Thanks in advance!

Probably the only place within 30 minutes of both is Carlisle. It's a great college town with bars, coffee shops and a walkable downtown. Obviously with the college there are a lot of rentals. Good luck!

[Marodi]

Mount holly springs is pretty nice too, though a little farther from the airport, it's a more small town feel, and closer to the forest

[beernrunning]

Thanks! I guess it goes without saying that the small towns between (as the crow flies) Michaux and the airport don't offer much. Just bedroom communities.

[Lakeland Yankee]

Originally Posted by beernrunning

>Michaux State Forest looks like the most serious BIG WOODS within about 1 hour from Hbg. I'd like to be within 30 minutes of it

Why just the Michaux State Forest? PA is loaded with State Game lands everywhere. Why only west of Harrisburg? Lancaster County is worth checking out too.

I'd rather live in Elizabethtown, PA for the better quality of life and lower taxes. You'd be 15 minutes from the airport and 25 minutes from Harrisburg. You have the Susquehanna River 7 minutes away and Mount Gretna state game lands are only 15-20 minutes away for all your hiking, hunting, nature needs. Check out the observation tower when in the area My Website > Home.

Conewago trail is 2 miles from E-town's downtown and offers all your hiking, biking, running needs. Hike for Health - 18 Conewago/Lebanon Valley Trails - Pa. DCNR

In Central PA you are never far away from BIG WOODS.

[beernrunning]

Thanks for the responses. I have some other reasons for the "west of Hbg." idea. I have family in the western PA area and want to cut my drive time down a bit when visiting (I currently live in Lititz). And yes, Mt. Gretna is very nice and currently my woods fix. I know looking at a map can only show so much, but Michaux looks pretty significant and sizable compared to just about anything within 1 hour of Harrisburg. But then again, maybe I'm being too narrow and short-sighted

In any event, I really appreciate your thoughts.