Brownstown area (Lancaster, Ephrata, Columbia: houses, unemployment, schools)

[colojd]

My husband is being considered for a job in the Brownstown area. We are in the West (Colorado) so know very little about Pennsylvania, other than what we are reading here and researching on the web. If he accepts the position, we would move there in the late summer/early fall. We will be an empty nest couple (our youngest will be heading off for college in fall of 2009) so things like finding schools for young children will not be an issue.

This is probably a broad question but would like to hear any comments about living/working in Lancaster county (what you like to do, home and gasoline prices, etc).

Thanks for any and all comments.

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by colojd

My husband is being considered for a job in the Brownstown area. We are in the West (Colorado) so know very little about Pennsylvania, other than what we are reading here and researching on the web. If he accepts the position, we would move there in the late summer/early fall. We will be an empty nest couple (our youngest will be heading off for college in fall of 2009) so things like finding schools for young children will not be an issue.

This is probably a broad question but would like to hear any comments about living/working in Lancaster county (what you like to do, home and gasoline prices, etc).

Thanks for any and all comments.

Brownstown is a small town, located just off Routes 222, 272 & 772. There aren't alot of houses in the area so you may want to consider Akron, which is slightly north of Brownstown off Route 272. It's a nice, quiet, safe town. Akron borders Ephrata, which has a number of stores and restaurants. Route 222 takes you to the PA Turnpike to the north in about 10 minutes and connects with Route 30 to the south, which has the Outlets. Regular gas costs about $1.89/gallon (It was when I came home tonight!). Home prices vary from town to town but you usually get alot for your buck. Each town in Lancaster County has something to offer, from Wilbur's Chocolates in Lititz to the Clock Museum in Columbia. Personally, I just like seeing open fields, farm animals and occasionally going shopping. If you like specifics please PM me.

I hope this helps alittle.

[brw]

We recently moved from the northeast to Lancaster - definitely agree with looking outside of Brownstown. We live just 5+ minutes south in Manheim Township. Lovely area with still lots of Amish farmland, etc. My only negative comment and it is not just my observation - the locals are rather reserved and so it has been hard to form any real friendships yet. Moving take time anywhere, but I have found this area harder than most that we have lived in.

[colojd]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. The specific details will help a lot. My husband was contacted by a local company and he may have a firm offer coming on Monday, we we will continue to keep the options open, just in case. He is scheduled to fly to PA the week of the 15th of Feb and he said he will take a camera with him.

I grew up in rural Kansas, so farmland is OK with me, but one thing I did read on other sites was that some of the locals are not very welcoming to what they feel are outsiders. BRW, how long have you lived in the area and where did you move from? Did you move to PA because of a job offer or for other reasons.

Thanks to both of you, I appreciate the feedback.

[ki0eh]

Lancaster County farmland has a much higher population density than Midwest farmland. You might think you're in a city when folks from NJ think they're in the utter sticks. Perception of rurality might make quite a study (perhaps already does).

[colojd]

You are right that what is big or small as far as towns go is really dependent on the person so it does help to have other people give their viewpoint. Things like the census help but how people feel about an area is really important, too.

[lititzman2003]

I moved here from Philly in June of '03 and have had some issues with the people here in Lititz. Rather then go into detail again please try to read some of my other posts regarding the concerns some of the natives in Lancaster County have with those of us who have moved here from other areas. I hope, if your family decides to move here, that everything goes very well for all of you.

[colojd]

Thanks, appreciate that! I did read some of your former posts and saw similar posts on this forum as well (about people not being too open or friendly). We are not ones to push ourselves on others but it is nice to think you can move to a place where you can find friends. We should know before the end of the month if we are moving to PA or not.
Thanks again

[Ephrata Bob]

I live about 2 miles north of Brownstown and I love the area. Of course , I have lived here all my life so if I didn't like the area , I guess I could move.

I think getting to know your neighbors can be a challenge whereever you go and I don't think we are unfriendly. We are a small community so I think we learn to know each other rather quickly. I don't think we are pushy and we don't pry into other peoples business and that may be what causes people to think we are not friendly.

We have it all here in this area: shopping places, dining places, worship places, work places ( lower unemployment than national average), nice library, parks and Rec Centers, etc. . --all within 15 minute drive from Brownstown.

Welcome to the area . (The house next door to me is going to be sold at public auction on May 30th. It would be a 2 mile drive to Brownstown.)

[colojd]

Thanks, I appreciate your input!