Quiet, affordable central PA town (Philadelphia, Lancaster: for sale, insurance, houses)

[hippiegirl97]

I'm a single mom, originally from the Philadelphia area, currently living in Lancaster. My daughter will be finishing high school in a year at which time I plan to move to a more rural area, buy a big old farmhouse, and start the next stage of my life of working (from home), gardening, relaxing and letting my dog run free. My question is, where can I find my big old house for under $100k in a good, safe area with decent schools (I do foster care), quiet but with the ability to get to a city if I really feel the need, or at least a decent mall for the kids... I've looked only online so far but plan to spend the next year visiting various towns throughout central PA to get an idea. I like Lewisburg, Hummelstown, Carlisle, Huntingdon, Halifax... so obviously I haven't even settled on a county let alone an actual town. And of course I've never been to any of these places that I recall so I'm only "liking" them from afar.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[JimboPGH]

Originally Posted by hippiegirl97

I'm a single mom, originally from the Philadelphia area, currently living in Lancaster. My daughter will be finishing high school in a year at which time I plan to move to a more rural area, buy a big old farmhouse, and start the next stage of my life of working (from home), gardening, relaxing and letting my dog run free. My question is, where can I find my big old house for under $100k in a good, safe area with decent schools (I do foster care), quiet but with the ability to get to a city if I really feel the need, or at least a decent mall for the kids... I've looked only online so far but plan to spend the next year visiting various towns throughout central PA to get an idea. I like Lewisburg, Hummelstown, Carlisle, Huntingdon, Halifax... so obviously I haven't even settled on a county let alone an actual town. And of course I've never been to any of these places that I recall so I'm only "liking" them from afar.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

The rural townships around Carlisle may fit your bill, although I would avoid Mt. Holly/Gardeners because it's.... creepy. Boiling Springs can be a bit pricey in places, but going towards Monroe Township, things get less developed and a bit more affordable. Eastern Perry Country (areas around Duncannon and Marysville) may be worth a look at as well.

[hippiegirl97]

Thanks for your response! I'll check them out!

[ki0eh]

Some of the areas around Selinsgrove/Sunbury may suit you - Union/Snyder/Northumberland/Montour/upper Dauphin/northern Perry Counties. The Strip along US 11/15 in Hummels Wharf and Shamokin Dam between Selinsgrove and Sunbury is relatively well supplied with shopping including a power center and a mall. While land may not be "cheap" it has less pressure on price compared to the more suburban areas south and east, and the shale gas areas to the north.

[jmart22]

Try Adams County. Low taxes, as rural in spots as you can get, or just small town. We are looking to move to the East Berlin area and have been there a number of times. 10 min to the north side of Hanover, 15 min to the mall on the west side of York, 20 min to Gettysburg, 45 min to Carlisle or Harrisburg & a bit over an hour to Baltimore or DC

[jmart22]

I use Zillow & Trulia to check out houses for sale.

[ki0eh]

Adams County is close enough to the megalopolis that anything livable with a bit of land for a $100k budget probably isn't happening. Possibly in far northern areas amid abandoned orchard land (i.e. contaminated with arsenic pesticides) and likely without a properly functioning septic system (meaning an immediate $30k expense for repair if even possible). Or maybe floodplain (flood insurance $$$ if mortgaged, or pending financial disaster if spending your own money).

If looking in Adams, maybe also look in northern Franklin (Fannett-Metal, Fort Loudon, or north and east of Chambersburg) out to western Perry (Blain, Landisburg) and western Cumberland (Newville). Some of these areas can have bad water (nitrate contamination from manure) and/or sinkholes. Generally the "outer" side of the Cumberland Valley north of PA 641 on the shale bedrock will be out of the sinkhole area - soil not quite as good so maybe a little cheaper.

[Jessi0610]

My Vote is Perry county--- Marysville or duncannon area preferrably, they within 15-20 from harrisburg or mechanicsburg which are the better shopping areas and they are quiet small towns that are very affordable!