Lancaster County Pa. (Pro's & Cons) (Harrisburg, Economy: rent, crime, house)

[amsm196]

Hello!

Can those who currently live in Lancaster County or have lived there not so long ago please tell me what you would say are some of the Pro's & Cons of living there?

Things like

The Economy

The property taxes

The employment

Crime

Public schools

Weather

Pollution

The people

And add anything you wish, thank you very much.

[bigbasspa]

Originally Posted by amsm196

Hello!

Can those who currently live in Lancaster County or have lived there not so long ago please tell me what you would say are some of the Pro's & Cons of living there?

Things like

The Economy

The property taxes

The employment

Crime

Public schools

Weather

Pollution

The people

And add anything you wish, thank you very much.

I have lived in Lancaster for about seven months now. I moved here from Schuylkill County as I got a job in Lancaster and got fed up driving nearly 120 miles a day. I have to be honest, it's one of the best moves we ever made. My wife and I love it here. I have read many negatives posts in this forum about Lancaster and Lancaster County - the city is crime ridden? Well, it may have its fair share of crime but that seems to be mainly restricted to certain parts of the city. I live just outside the city in Manheim Township and so far this area seems to be almost crime free. Lancaster people are unfriendly to outsiders? Not in my experience. Some people are a bit reserved but most have been welcoming and sociable. Yes this part of the world is a bit more 'bible belt' than some others but I have never been interrogated about what church I attend or what faith I am.

Property taxes I can't comment on as we rent a house and so property taxes and school taxes are included in the rent. In my experience the summers are generally very good and the winters not too harsh. There is a lot of beautiful countryside right on our doorstep and a couple of state parks within a few miles. There is plenty of shopping choices and even more eating choices. Lancaster has the Fulton Opera House and the American Music Theatre as well as some smaller venues so the arts are very well catered for.

Like I said earlier, I have had no bad experiences with the people; they seem as warm and friendly as anywhere else. Perhaps the secret is showing respect for their city and their history i.e. don't showboat or come the big "I am..". I think if you could do much worse than to choose Lancaster, it is a great city and a great county and I am very happy here.

BTW, I came from England to PA about 20 months ago, I would never go back; crime in England is everywhere, not just in inner city areas; the people have a "scr*w you!" attitude and the whole country is becoing a more and more miserable place to live. People that find fault with Lancaster should try living in England for a year or so.

Apologies for not answering all your questions but I don't have all the facts and figures you require. I just wanted to give you a feel for Lancaster from a relative newbie,which may be a little different from some other people's opinions.

[amsm196]

Thank you for your info! We would love to hear from others who are currently living in Lancaster County!

Originally Posted by bigbasspa

I have lived in Lancaster for about seven months now. I moved here from Schuylkill County as I got a job in Lancaster and got fed up driving nearly 120 miles a day. I have to be honest, it's one of the best moves we ever made. My wife and I love it here. I have read many negatives posts in this forum about Lancaster and Lancaster County - the city is crime ridden? Well, it may have its fair share of crime but that seems to be mainly restricted to certain parts of the city. I live just outside the city in Manheim Township and so far this area seems to be almost crime free. Lancaster people are unfriendly to outsiders? Not in my experience. Some people are a bit reserved but most have been welcoming and sociable. Yes this part of the world is a bit more 'bible belt' than some others but I have never been interrogated about what church I attend or what faith I am.

Property taxes I can't comment on as we rent a house and so property taxes and school taxes are included in the rent. In my experience the summers are generally very good and the winters not too harsh. There is a lot of beautiful countryside right on our doorstep and a couple of state parks within a few miles. There is plenty of shopping choices and even more eating choices. Lancaster has the Fulton Opera House and the American Music Theatre as well as some smaller venues so the arts are very well catered for.

Like I said earlier, I have had no bad experiences with the people; they seem as warm and friendly as anywhere else. Perhaps the secret is showing respect for their city and their history i.e. don't showboat or come the big "I am..". I think if you could do much worse than to choose Lancaster, it is a great city and a great county and I am very happy here.

BTW, I came from England to PA about 20 months ago, I would never go back; crime in England is everywhere, not just in inner city areas; the people have a "scr*w you!" attitude and the whole country is becoing a more and more miserable place to live. People that find fault with Lancaster should try living in England for a year or so.

Apologies for not answering all your questions but I don't have all the facts and figures you require. I just wanted to give you a feel for Lancaster from a relative newbie,which may be a little different from some other people's opinions.

[Auggie]

The biggest Con is the Central PA mindset, if you are not from there you are an "outsider."

[denise817]

Hi bigbasspa,
I also live in Sch County and am thinking of moving closer to Lancaster. I work in Harrisburg right now and commute 60 miles (one way) every day. It stinks! Depending on my husbands potential job situation, we might be moving. I'm a little leary about the "open farming" community but it seems like you have some good comments. Thanks.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by denise817

Hi bigbasspa,
I also live in Sch County and am thinking of moving closer to Lancaster. I work in Harrisburg right now and commute 60 miles (one way) every day. It stinks! Depending on my husbands potential job situation, we might be moving. I'm a little leary about the "open farming" community but it seems like you have some good comments. Thanks.

Why don't you just live closer to Harrisburg? More amenities, less of a closed-mindset that is prevalent in a lot of Lancaster county.

[Positiveone]

We need more helpful info, please!

Can we get any info on the original post below?

Can those who currently live in Lancaster County or have lived there not so long ago please tell me what you would say are some of the Pro's & Cons of living there?

Things like:

The Best & worst schools

Unsafe areas

The Economy

The property taxes

The employment

Crime

Public schools

Weather

Pollution

The people

And add anything you wish, thank you very much.

[42 year Lititz resident]

Originally Posted by amsm196

Hello!

Can those who currently live in Lancaster County or have lived there not so long ago please tell me what you would say are some of the Pro's & Cons of living there?

Things like

The Economy

The property taxes

The employment

Crime

Public schools

Weather

Pollution

The people

And add anything you wish, thank you very much.

I have lived here for 42 years. Except for Lancaster city, the towns are small,rural,( and whatever else you choose to make them ) In todays times , I lock my doors ( house and car ) You can go out at night and be safe ( but nothing good happens anywhere after say 10-11 ? ) My top 5 schools / areas would be Lititz ( Warwick ) Lampeter-Strausburg ,Cedar Crest, Penn Manor,possibly ELCO. Good Luck!!

[Positiveone]

You didnt mention Hempfield nor Penn Manor, any negatives about those schools?

Originally Posted by 42 year Lititz resident

I have lived here for 42 years. Except for Lancaster city, the towns are small,rural,( and whatever else you choose to make them ) In todays times , I lock my doors ( house and car ) You can go out at night and be safe ( but nothing good happens anywhere after say 10-11 ? ) My top 5 schools / areas would be Lititz ( Warwick ) Lampeter-Strausburg ,Cedar Crest, Penn Manor,possibly ELCO. Good Luck!!

[lititzman2003]

I think it all depends on what you are seeking for your child and what each school and districts have to offer. Are you interested in a high school having a solid math program? What are the general SAT scores? Some parents want to know about the school's athletic programs and what place the football team finished in the year before. I don't know if it's a good idea to move to a town because the schools are considered to be excellent. Things can change over the years due to cutbacks in spending, teacher turnover, etc. Situations like these can change the reputation of a school for years. It's a tough decision to make.

My wife has taught high school since I've known her, and as a result, I've gotten to know ALOT of men and women who teach in public and private schools, elementary and secondary. I can honesty tell you that, with a few exceptions, they are very dedicated, caring people who want the same things for their students that their parents do: top quality education in a safe, productive environment. As long as the districts can continue to attract these kind of teachers, and the ones in Lancaster County seem to be able to continue to do that, then the students that attend these schools will continue to thrive and go on to be valuable members of their community.