Moving to Lebanon for job (Lancaster, Ephrata: house, buying, school districts)

[emkaycee]

My wife and I will be moving to Lebanon by the end of August this year for my job. I am looking for advice for a good location to buy a house around Lebanon. So far it sounds like other than south side of Lebanon there may not be any choices. But I am open to nearby areas within 20-30 minutes of drive.

[ki0eh]

Lebanon itself isn't the greatest place to live (search some of the threads for more details).

If you want a bit more upscale then the Cornwall Lebanon or quirky Mount Gretna areas just to the south are nice.

To the west Palmyra and Campbelltown have large newer developments. Hershey has highly rated schools but you're likely talking over 30 minutes in rush hour on the slow slow roads depending on where in Lebanon your job site is.

There also are some newer moderate price developments around Jonestown to the north. Might even find some places tucked in the mountain but Ft Indiantown Gap can get kind of loud.

Northern Lancaster County (Lititz/Manheim) might also be worth considering. Closer to shopping too. Be sure to search the threads on here for some other folks' comments on treatment of outsiders in this area.

The small town of Myerstown is kind of a throwback to an earlier era, which might be OK if that's what you want. Maybe an outsider would be a curiosity rather than a threat.

[BevoInPA]

I agree with Ki0eh about Palmyra. I like it. I grew up here and had friends at Palmyra and competed against them in sports (Palmyra is a small school district like Camp Hill where I went). My only objection to Palmyra is the problem with sinkholes. I was told by an old-timer than it is because there is no stormwater sewers.

Annville is also attractive but I know nothing about the schools.

Hershey (Derry Twp) is one of the top performing school districts in the state so even if you have no kids, if you are buying, you should take that into consideration. It is within 20 to 30 minutes (closer in my opinion but I guess it depends what time you leave for work).

[emkaycee]

BevoInPA and Ki0eh:
Thanks. Very helpful info. I will definitely consider your thoughts while searching for house in that area. I am not looking for a house "in Lebanon" per se, rather looking around South Lebanon-Cornwall area. What do you think about this area? Heard that their school district is also a good one.

[Kayee]

The Cornwall & Mt Gretna areas are a good choice. But you might listen to KiOeh and check out the Lancaster County Areas off of Rt 322. Manheim, Lititz have good schools and it is an easy drive to Lebanon too. Even Ephrata is not too far of a commute. For quaint small towns try Scheafferstown, Myerstown, Newmanstown.