New to the forum...some questions about York, PA... (Philadelphia: amusement parks, crime)

[fiestachic]

Hi everyone! I am hoping that someone can please help me out with some answers regarding York, PA. I have been looking all over the net for crime stats and cannot seem to come up with anything that sounds accurate. I am thinking about moving to York, Pa and I would like to know how this area is. Is there alot of crime? Are there any particular areas I should avoid? Any particular areas I should look into? Right now I am in Mississippi so I can't check out neighborhoods yet for myself. Someone please helP!!

[tkdmom]

Hi fiestachic,
Im not from PA but have friends that lived there, in York, for 14 years and are now moving back to CA. They said " there was a lot of crime, and hated the winters" but they are originally from Palm Springs, where there really is no crime or winter. That was just their opinion on York, Im sure you will get more detailed info from someone that lives there. Good luck !

[rockky]

Originally Posted by fiestachic

Hi everyone! I am hoping that someone can please help me out with some answers regarding York, PA. I have been looking all over the net for crime stats and cannot seem to come up with anything that sounds accurate. I am thinking about moving to York, Pa and I would like to know how this area is. Is there alot of crime? Are there any particular areas I should avoid? Any particular areas I should look into? Right now I am in Mississippi so I can't check out neighborhoods yet for myself. Someone please helP!!

Hi, fiestachic! Well, I'm sitting in one of the York 'burgs' right now.
After seeing your post, I went looking for York crime stats on line. Each site I found had very different numbers. Perhaps some of the numbers were strictly York City. I dunno. I feel perfectly safe here. I moved away 2.5 years ago, and I didn't feel as comfortable where I was living.

The greater York area is has an interesting history, great schools, beautiful scenery, lots of outdoor activities, and an easy drive to Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington D.C. Lancaster County is just to the east, and Gettysburg and the lower mountains are to the west. The Delaware Beaches are about 3-3.5 hours away.

The 'traditional' folks here take a bit of time to 'warm up' to new people. They are just checkin' ya out. They don't swarm in and do the shallow 'hello' thing. After they learn who and what you are, you will not find more sincere, 'salt of the earth' type people.

Yes, there's a winter here, but it's all relative. Compared to up state New York or off the Great Lakes, this place is down right balmy. There's not a huge amount of snow. Every few years there's a belly buster, but it normally doesn't stay around very long. 'Course there was that year in the early 1990s. LOL! The entire east coast got nailed from January until April.

Is there a certain type of job you are looking for? Perhaps knowing that could help us suggest an area for you to start looking within community.

[oldhead]

York statistics, provided by City-Data --> http://www.city-data.com/city/York-Pennsylvania.html.

Crime in York (2004):

* 11 murders (27.4 per 100,000)
* 45 rapes (111.9 per 100,000)
* 225 robberies (559.5 per 100,000)
* 94 assaults (233.8 per 100,000)
* 549 burglaries (1365.2 per 100,000)
* 1,734 thefts (4312.0 per 100,000)
* 249 auto thefts (619.2 per 100,000)
* City-data.com crime index = 594.7 (higher means more crime, US average = 315.1)


Crime in York (2005):

* 13 murders (32.4 per 100,000)
* 39 rapes (97.2 per 100,000)
* 242 robberies (603.2 per 100,000)
* 119 assaults (296.6 per 100,000)
* 400 burglaries (997.1 per 100,000)
* 1,703 thefts (4245.0 per 100,000)
* 211 auto thefts (525.9 per 100,000)
* City-data.com crime index = 582.4 (higher means more crime, US average = 312.7)

[talk2u]

I currently live in York, PA. Moved here last year from the Washington, DC area. I can say most of the crime is isolated to York City - the burbs are pretty safe - in my opinion. Compared to where I'm from - York does not have a crime problem. It's all relative, as they say. I am planning to leave the area as soon as I can sell my house - a bit to slow/sleepy for my taste. However, it's a great place to raise kids - good schools, plenty of family-oriented things to do (parks, community programs, amusement parks w/in short drive). Plan a visit and see for yourself.

[e'smom17]

Hi fiestachic,

I have lived in York, Pa for 5 years. My husband is from the south originally. I agree with rockky in that the people definitely take a long time to warm up to you. They can come across as downright unfriendly at times. My husband has a big problem with this as he has a pronounced southern accent so it is obvious he is not from here. On the positive side, it is pretty here. You are in close proximity to Balto, DC, Philly and NYC, all w/n a 1-3 hour drive depending on the city. As for crime, don't hang around York City after hours and you should be fine. Crime is not that bad(again, all things relative) Winters can be a challenge, as their plowing around the area leaves a lot to be desired. And of course, since you will be up north, be prepared for the fact that few things close when it snows, unless a snow emergency is declared. So, if you think you can call off work because you don't like to drive in it, think again. :-) I don't know if you have children, but if so, most schools in the county are pretty good. The top contenders would be Dallastown, York Suburban and Central districts. Lesser ones and generally non recommended ones (no offense to anyone with kids in these districts) would be York City and I have heard complaints about Dover district.
As far as rents in the area, depends on what part of York you are in. Eastern York and Southern York rents tend to be high- 2 bdrms anywhere from $650-$1000. Lastly, be prepared for a large chunk of taxes to come out of you paycheck. Federal, State, Local and city (depending on the town you wind up in). All in all it is not a bad area, I can think of worse. Just depends on what you want/like. Hope this helps.

[mechtm84]

York is a dump and the crime is terrible for such a small city like that. IT's like a mini harrisburg

[fiestachic]

Wow!! Thanks everyone! I wasn't expecting so many replies so soon! You see, I am from Baltimore and it is absolutely HORRIBLE. I don't want to go back to Bmore and housing in the suburbs is way too expensive, so I figured that York is close enough (to visit family) but far enough away from Baltimore to avoid some of the crime. But like you said, everywhere I looked for stats gave me a bunch of different numbers. I know that York is definitely not as bad as Bmore, or even close, but I wanted to make sure I am not moving into the worst part of York either. Do you guys know some particular areas I should look? Or better yet, areas I should definitely avoid? I appreciate everyone's help! thanks!!!

[fiestachic]

Originally Posted by e'smom17

The top contenders would be Dallastown, York Suburban and Central districts. Lesser ones and generally non recommended ones (no offense to anyone with kids in these districts) would be York City and I have heard complaints about Dover district.

It does help! Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely keep these places in mind!

[e'smom17]

Fiestachic,

Will you be working in Baltimore and commuting from York? If so, depending on your budget, you may want to consider "bedroom communities" such as Shrewsbury and Stewartstown (in southern york county). The schools are good. The downside is the cost. Being right on the MD line, the prices are higher. If commuting is not an issue for you, then look into East York, Red Lion, Dallastown. (these areas are still commutable, but you are looking at 1hour or more from them to Bmore) I am not a big fan of West York, but it is cheaper and the elementary schools are OK. Traffic getting to there can be a real pain, with construction on Rte 30. If you don't mind driving about 10 miles to a grocery store, the mall or shopping, you could consider Wrightsville. It is cute and right on the susquehanna river. My problem with it is I can't deal with driving 10 miles to WalMart or to get groceries, Micky D's etc.