Possibly moving to Lancaster (Philadelphia, York: for sale by owner, apartment, condo)

[talk2u]

I personally think your experience is what you make it. If you make it a point to reach out to the locals, I'm sure they'd welcome you with open arms. If you act stand-offish and wait for them to come to you, I doubt you'll have much success. People are suspicious these days (as they should be) especially if you aren't from around the way.

Put yourself out there and make yourself known. I'm sure you'll be happy that you did.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

I live in Southern Chester County and shop in Lancaster all the time takes me about 25 mins via 896 or 30 to get there. It is nice and country here but not so very rural. Schools are a bit better because they pay the teachers more here. There is a building stay as we ran out of sewer permits 18 months ago and that will stay tied up for a bit. This area is not so built up like I see Lancaster becoming when I go there and it is within an hour of Philly, the airport and the Route 1 corridor. Driving to Delaware or Maryland to shop is close as well. If you want more details IM me. When we were thinking of moving to Lancaster in 1999. I decided against it. It has a lot of building going on and that scared me away.

[ricksr]

My family has lived in So. Lan. Co for 15 years and are still considered by some to be outsiders. However, we have never been treated badly by any of them. Perhaps it is bacause, unlike some, we never had the "I am from _____ and my way is the only way. It smells, I hate slowing down for buggies, why can't my kids play in the street like back in ____? etc, etc, etc". The problem seems to be when the newbes want to bring their way of life with them. If you respect your neighbors, they will do the same. I don't know all of my neighbors names' but we all get along quite well.

I can't speak for the other areas of the county but it is probably the same there.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

Why can't the kids play in the street? Kids play in the street all over the country. Please clarify.

[Positiveone]

I agree, and wondering the same? Why would one be bothered if kids or anybody were playing in the street? Just last night from 6pm to 9pm we were out with our children and the entire gang of little kids playing ball, riding bikes , scooters and whatever in the street for hours? Nobody complained when we did that in NY, NJ, AZ or here in LAs Vegas. so yes please explain.

Maybe those who speed are bothered? Slow down when driving in the neighborhoods!

Originally Posted by Wanna Leave Penciltucky

Why can't the kids play in the street? Kids play in the street all over the country. Please clarify.

[ricksr]

Except in cul-de-sacs it doesn't seem like a good idea for the kids to be playing on rural, narrow, hilly roads like are in this area. That and the fact that they all have a min. of an acre to frollic on.

I've scraped too many kids off the street to find it safe to play on any street.

Sorry, I hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

No you didn't ruffle anything I was just curious. Since school let out last week I have been driving around kick ball games and skateboarders and little kids on bikes. I was just wondering what was the issue. When I was a kid we loved playing in the street because it made our moms nervous. They were always yelling the street the street. You know how kdis are.

[Positiveone]

Well that makes sense! Your right Cul-de-sacs are fine!
And those streets that are very hilly or narrow then i agree have the potential to be a danger to anybody.

But in general people who drive need to slow down to a crawl because kids will be kids and may possibly run into the street unexpected.

But just again today( Sunday ) we were outside with many children from 3-15 years old playing in the street, kids here play outdoors in the streets without any problems at all.

My wife & I remember growing up doing the same, now if we had acres to play on then thats a different story.

Hope that made sense.

Originally Posted by ricksr

Except in cul-de-sacs it doesn't seem like a good idea for the kids to be playing on rural, narrow, hilly roads like are in this area. That and the fact that they all have a min. of an acre to frollic on.

I've scraped too many kids off the street to find it safe to play on any street.

Sorry, I hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.

[katrinka]

We had no trouble making friends in Lititz. Our friends from Church are still fast friends after we moved. We've spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with 2 different families when they found out our family was on the west coast. Lititz people are friendly and welcoming. We think we just moved into the wrong part of that particular neighborhood. Our homes sat on huge lots, people worked, and everybody was busy. Nobody took time for their neighbors since they had established friendships and did not seem to take time for each other. I think had we had children we may have met more neighbors. I don't think you'd regret moving to that area. It just wasn't what we were looking for. We love city living (so we found out!) and the area we lived in was definitely country living!

[fluttery00]

Lancaster County born and raised - I have to young children and would not move out of Elizabethtown Area School District if someone paid me! Close to one of the best children's hospital's in the world (Hershey Medical Center- children's miracle network) There is many things close to do as well, Stasburg has the train station, Hersheypark, Dutch Wonderland, and much more.... If you contact AAA they can give you loads of information on Lancaster County- Amish Country! There is a few places I would not like to live (Lancaster City, Columbia to name the top two but mostly because of the "traffic" and there doesn't seem to be much "yard" space. It all seems to high traffic for my family. As far as "country" living goes - Elizabethtown, Mount Joy, Manhiem, Rheems and Maytown seem to be building Hot spots right now. Hope that helps -Good Look with your move!