Mixed Couple Interested in Moving to Lancaster, PA (neighborhood, schools)

[crys1998]

My husband and I make our living creating (he's an oil painter, i'm a jeweler). We are also a mixed-raced couple (black and white) and are interested in relocating from the NC mountains to Lancaster, PA. Can anyone tell me what the city is like? My husband has visited it and fell in love on sight, but we need more information about the ins and outs. We have no children living at home, so we don't need anything regarding schools. Can anyone help? Would we be bothered for being mixed-raced? Can we make a living there? What about allergies? (i.e. pollen, ragweed, mold, etc.)

[Hopes]

Since I'm in Western PA, I can only help you with the allergy question.

Check out this allergy map of the United States.

Allergens by Geographical Region (http://www.clarinex.com/application?namespace=main&event=content_display&e vent_input=allergensbyregion - broken link)

If you click on a region, you can see how long each allergy season lasts for each allergen.

Ragweed lasts from the beginning of June through the end of November in North Carolina, but only from the beginning of September until the beginning of November in PA.

Actually, all allergies seasons are shorter in PA compared to NC. NC has grass allergies all year long, PA only has grass allergies for four months.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by crys1998

My husband and I make our living creating (he's an oil painter, i'm a jeweler). We are also a mixed-raced couple (black and white) and are interested in relocating from the NC mountains to Lancaster, PA. Can anyone tell me what the city is like? My husband has visited it and fell in love on sight, but we need more information about the ins and outs. We have no children living at home, so we don't need anything regarding schools. Can anyone help? Would we be bothered for being mixed-raced? Can we make a living there? What about allergies? (i.e. pollen, ragweed, mold, etc.)

I would think Lancaster is fine due to it's diverse population. There is a relatively large Hispanic(mainly Puerto Rican)population and a good sized Black population there as well. That part of PA is a bit more conservative, but I don't think it would matter in that area.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

I would think Lancaster is fine due to it's diverse population. There is a relatively large Hispanic(mainly Puerto Rican)population and a good sized Black population there as well. That part of PA is a bit more conservative, but I don't think it would matter in that area.

Downtown and Northwest Lancaster (area near F&M) are pretty liberal areas. The rest of the county, including the suburbs, are definetely conservative.

[beachybum]

I haven't been in Lancaster in over 10 years but, the Southeast area (aka the 7th Ward) you want to stay away from. I'd classify that area as a mini Philidelphia. I agree with danwxman the Northwest area is much better.

Good Luck with your move.

[ki0eh]

To the OP, note that responses #3, #4, and #5 focus on the CITY of Lancaster - which is nominally within but culturally surrounded by Lancaster COUNTY - as post #4 notes the suburban areas are dramatically different socially and culturally.

So you will want to be careful with thinking about what you fell in love with on first sight!

If you let us know which aspect of the Lancaster area most appeals to you, we might be able to help point out some other less well-known areas that might share the attributes you're seeking, possibly less expensively too.

[pman]

Originally Posted by beachybum

I haven't been in Lancaster in over 10 years but, the Southeast area (aka the 7th Ward) you want to stay away from. I'd classify that area as a mini Philidelphia. I agree with danwxman the Northwest area is much better.

Good Luck with your move.

one neighborhood in lancaster is like a mini-version of a 135 sq mi, 1.5 million person city? now this I have to see