Potential move to Hershey, PA - where should we live?!?!? So confused!!! (Allentown: homes)

[LACOX10]

Hi -
My husband is about to accept a job in Hershey, PA - we currently live off of the PA turnpike in Downingtown, PA. Inevitably, we will eventually need to move closer to his job.

We have 2 small children and are looking for an area with great schools but that is in a bit more of a "built up" area and not so rural. We drove around the Mechanicsburg area over the weekend and that was fine - I was interested in that area due to the CValley SD being so highly rated.

One of my main questions is, what is the Central Dauphin school district area like? The homes in that area seem a bit more affordable (looking for a newer home 5years old or less, 4 bdrm with at least a 1/3 acre lot) - plus, it would only be about a 20 minute drive for my husband.

I am looking for an area with friendly families, lots of activities for the kids (soccer leagues, moms groups), nice churches, good schools, YMCA, etc as well as convenience to shopping areas/grocery stores/restaurants. I am spoiled here in Chester County - we will really miss this area but are excited for a new adventure! Just want to make the right choice and we know no one in the area.

Thanks so much!

[ki0eh]

Depending on your ranking choice the Derry Township (Hershey) and surrounding Lower Dauphin schools are as high if not higher ranked than Cumberland Valley. Both have newer communities with single homes. Some of the LD areas especially have some newer homes on considerably larger than 1/3 acre, in South Hanover and Londonderry Twps, and to some extent East Hanover.

CV includes box-store shopping along US 11/Carlisle Pike. From Derry/LD you need to drive to either US 22 east of I-83, or the area around the US 322/I-283/I-83 interchange, typically an extra 10 minutes. Most of the big boxes have both "West Shore" and "East Shore" outlets, except for Bass Pro Shops which is only on the East Shore, and Wegmans which is only on the West Shore. Mechanicsburg Borough and Camp Hill Borough both have some small boutiquey stores on the West Shore, on the East Shore you can find chain boutiques in the Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace (I-81 Progress Ave exit) or local places such as Awesome Unique Childs Toys Hershey Hummelstown Childs Unique Toys Unusual Unique Baby Toy Store (your kids won't let you out of here!) in downtown Hummelstown.

Anywhere in Hershey is NOT a 20 min. drive from anywhere in Cumberland Valley SD during rush hour. I live in the SW side of Derry and commute to the extreme SE corner of Hampden Twp in CVSD - it's 30-35 minutes in the morning and at least 45 minutes in the afternoon - and I'm opposite the heavy traffic flow between downtown Harrisburg and the I-83/PA 581 "York Split".

Plus the Hershey end of the Hbg area puts you that much closer to King of Prussia, etc.

Both the CV/Camp Hill areas and LD/Hershey have churches, soccer leagues, gymnastics centers, and significant numbers of stay-at-home spouses. Hershey's PTO meets during the day, if that says anything.

Central Dauphin schools are usually considered a click lower in quality than CV, Camp Hill, Derry, or LD. I'm not sure that's fair - it may relate to CD including more economically challenged inner ring suburbs such as Penbrook Borough and parts of Swatara Twp. From the higher-end east side of Lower Paxton Twp, the commute up Nyes Road to hit US 322 to Hershey can get snarled up pretty easily - my wife did this for years, with more subdivisions and no new lanes since she moved.

[BevoInPA]

Camp Hill Borough is exactly 18 miles from Hershey. I know this from working at the park while in high school.

[HbgLuvr]

Originally Posted by LACOX10

Hi -
My husband is about to accept a job in Hershey, PA - we currently live off of the PA turnpike in Downingtown, PA. Inevitably, we will eventually need to move closer to his job.

We have 2 small children and are looking for an area with great schools but that is in a bit more of a "built up" area and not so rural. We drove around the Mechanicsburg area over the weekend and that was fine - I was interested in that area due to the CValley SD being so highly rated.

One of my main questions is, what is the Central Dauphin school district area like? The homes in that area seem a bit more affordable (looking for a newer home 5years old or less, 4 bdrm with at least a 1/3 acre lot) - plus, it would only be about a 20 minute drive for my husband.

I am looking for an area with friendly families, lots of activities for the kids (soccer leagues, moms groups), nice churches, good schools, YMCA, etc as well as convenience to shopping areas/grocery stores/restaurants. I am spoiled here in Chester County - we will really miss this area but are excited for a new adventure! Just want to make the right choice and we know no one in the area.

Thanks so much!

CD schools are pretty good. There are two high schools, so you have to decide which one you would like your chidlren to attend. Central Dauphin or Central Dauphin East.

I suggest you look around the Paxtonia area. For a reference point, try the 5500 block of Allentown Boulevard (ZIP Code 17112). I'm farily certain that this area is CD rather than CD East.

Good shopping in short distance. Plenty of sports available for the youngins. Lots of chain restaurants close by. If you like more local flavor (independent) restaurants, try downtown Harrisburg.

Good luck!

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by LACOX10

Hi -
My husband is about to accept a job in Hershey, PA - we currently live off of the PA turnpike in Downingtown, PA. Inevitably, we will eventually need to move closer to his job.

We have 2 small children and are looking for an area with great schools but that is in a bit more of a "built up" area and not so rural. We drove around the Mechanicsburg area over the weekend and that was fine - I was interested in that area due to the CValley SD being so highly rated.

One of my main questions is, what is the Central Dauphin school district area like? The homes in that area seem a bit more affordable (looking for a newer home 5years old or less, 4 bdrm with at least a 1/3 acre lot) - plus, it would only be about a 20 minute drive for my husband.

I am looking for an area with friendly families, lots of activities for the kids (soccer leagues, moms groups), nice churches, good schools, YMCA, etc as well as convenience to shopping areas/grocery stores/restaurants. I am spoiled here in Chester County - we will really miss this area but are excited for a new adventure! Just want to make the right choice and we know no one in the area.

Thanks so much!

I think what you'd want is right there in Hershey/Hummelstown/Lower Dauphin...........newer homes, great place to raise kids, etc.

[Hopes]

Quick looking! Hershey already has everything you want!