Are people from Lancaster County on here? (Scranton, Harrisburg: real estate, foreclosures)

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

Owning a gun here is not an issue. A friend of mine owns several and he goes to a range nearby. Alot of people go hunting as well so you won't be shunned for that. As far as crime is concerned, let's face it, it's everywhere. My wife and I witnessed a drug deal in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Ephrata last Saturday night. The key is to find out where the trouble spots are. I'm not sure of the Webpage but there has to be one so you can check it. I can only speak for Lititz and the crime here is low. We get mostly vandalism, DUI'S, petty thefts, etc. No matter where you live there are always bank and convenience store robberies. Based on my experiences the closer you are to a big city the better chance you'll be a victim of crime. Not always but a fair chance. Certain parts of Lancaster City have major crime issues and some gang activity but it's isolated. The western part of the city is beautiful. State College and Lancaster County have the lowest unemployment in the state. Jobs are still available, despite the nation's economy

Thanks for the update, Lititzman. I was wondering when you'd weigh in!

I saw a few houses in the Manheim and Lititz areas when I last looked and I really liked that area. As far a commute time, how long do you think it would take you in traffic to get to Lancaster city, Harrisburg and Hershey?

[merrisweel]

in my personal travels and experience, the commute to hershey is about 35-40 minutes up 322. To harrisburg is about the same via 283 and into Lancaster is about the same if you take the main routes in give or take 10 minutes. The problem is, the route between Lititz and Lancaster (route 501) has some of the WORST traffic in the county. So it takes forever unless you know the back ways - learn the back ways fast!

Also, in my opinion (I'm saying that for the people who disagree with me to know, it's just my opinion) Lancaster city is the ghetto. straight up. I've worked there multiple times, and EVERY time I work there I get a crime commited against me. Mostly just petty thefts out of my car. I hate even driving in there to go to a nice upscale bar like Annie Bailey's because I never know what I will find when I come back out to my car. I wouldn't recommend living there to anyone - JUST because of my own personal bad experiences. But I have a lot of friends who live down there and a lot of them love it for the art scene and all the things to do near by... So it's definitley different depending on who you talk to. Manheim and Lititz are both relatively quiet crime-wise.

[Lakeland Yankee]

Originally Posted by Positiveone

Isnt crime a issue in Lancaster county though? I havent been there in some time but those i spoke to from Lancaster said Lancaster city gets worse & worse yearly. I heard about a large latino community with gang issues. Any truth?

And overall how is the current job market in Lancaster County? Has the economy hurt Lancaster much?

Thanks!!

Please don't confuse Lancaster city with Lancaster County. Lancaster city definitely has crime problems and it keeps getting worse. I wouldn't live in the city for anything. I only go there for employment, shopping, etc. The small towns outside of Lanc city are a complete different world. The crime won't be tolerated!

Here's a link to check unemployment for every state and major city in the country. Scroll down to regional resources on the right and click the state you want to check. The Lancaster area unemployment for Oct 2008 is 4.3%, no big surprise there as it regularly rates better than the U.S. average.

Originally Posted by NYRed

This I would be interested in hearing more about...
Whats the local gun laws like for a law abiding person such as myself also...
Places to shoot legal and such???
Am I an outcast right away because of my hobby???

Thanks

The PA state constitution : Section 21-The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.

There are plenty of places to shoot (ranges, sportsman's clubs, etc). No one will feel out of place in Lancaster County for owning guns, lol. Hunting is huge and there are plenty of state game lands to hunt in.......

Just make sure you keep the guns and ammo in separate containers (don't have ammo in a gun case and make sure it is always unloaded) when taking it to the range. That's pretty obvious though.

Guns and PA go together like like peanut butter and jelly imho. No need to worry.

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by lialleycat

Thanks for the update, Lititzman. I was wondering when you'd weigh in!

I saw a few houses in the Manheim and Lititz areas when I last looked and I really liked that area. As far a commute time, how long do you think it would take you in traffic to get to Lancaster city, Harrisburg and Hershey?

My wife drives from Lititz to Middletown every day in about 45 minutes. To Harrisburg I'd give myself at least 60-80 minutes, to Hershey about 35-45 minutes and to Lancaster City about 20-30 minutes. It does depend on your route. Route 501 from Lititz to downtown Lancaster can be trying, especially with school in session. I know some people from Lititz who take Route 222 to town to avoid 501. Route 72 from Manheim to Lancaster City moves pretty good. Routes 283 and 322 are well-traveled but they are usually move well.

I haven't actually stayed in Lancaster City for long periods of time but I know there are crime issues. The area west near WGAL TV SEEMS nice but I don't live there.

Manheim is a nice town, despite the fact the town gives a somewhat tired appearance. The people are pleasant. You know my feelings about the people here in Lititz but I'd still move here again, regardless. Low crime, clean, great shops downtown, and plenty to see and do. Good luck with your house search.

[lititzman2003]

Regarding crime in Lititz, if you're arrested your name, age and address appear in the local paper, the Lititz Record. The fear of the embarrassment of that happening alone scares everyone. This is the suburbs and no one wants their name soiled during the gossip sessions

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

Good luck with your house search.

Thanks, but got to get the job search out of the way first. Will choose towns to live in once I find something as I want to be less than 45 minutes away from work, but I also want some land to live one - at least a 1/2 acre, though I'd prefer closer to one acre. So I know a little travelling will be required. I just don't want to do a 2 hour commute (one way) ever again.

[NYRed]

Lititzman...Thanks for the info...I'm a shooter and beliver in the second amendment...
Some folks get a little weird about guns in law abiding hands...
Good to know there are ranges there too...Does Pa have a carry permit system and how hard is it to get one??? Suffolk County here on LI you need to fill out a mini novel about your life and get 4 people to say your the greatest thing ever and then you have to wait 6 months to hear back...

As to crime...It's everywhere...I know that...Some more than others is all...

Thanks again...

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by NYRed

Lititzman...Thanks for the info...I'm a shooter and beliver in the second amendment...
Some folks get a little weird about guns in law abiding hands...
Good to know there are ranges there too...Does Pa have a carry permit system and how hard is it to get one??? Suffolk County here on LI you need to fill out a mini novel about your life and get 4 people to say your the greatest thing ever and then you have to wait 6 months to hear back...

As to crime...It's everywhere...I know that...Some more than others is all...

Thanks again...

Can't really help you with that and I not good at providing links. You may try Googling PA State government and I'm sure that page can give you the info you need.

[NYRed]

Thanks again...I know just the lady to research that for me...lol

[Lakeland Yankee]

Originally Posted by NYRed

Does Pa have a carry permit system and how hard is it to get one??? Suffolk County here on LI you need to fill out a mini novel about your life and get 4 people to say your the greatest thing ever and then you have to wait 6 months to hear back...

As to crime...It's everywhere...I know that...Some more than others is all...

Thanks again...

Who can apply for a Pennsylvania License to Carry?

How can you obtain a concealed weapon permit ?