South Florida to Carlisle (Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg: home, schools, university)

[getmeoutofsouthflorida]

Hi Everyone!

I have recently come into a phenominal job opportunity in Carlisle PA. I am currently living in South Florida, and have never really been to PA at all. I have so many questions. I can't wait to leave south florida, originally I am from the midwest and after three years it is quite clear that this is not the place for me. I have midwestern values, am very friendly, and miss the seasons. What is this are like? Are people friendly? Is it a pet friendly area? I have two cats and a dog. I am also single and mid twenties, can anyone advise me to the dating scene? Is it hard to meet people?

Any and all advice and opinions welcome, please help me understand before I make a decision?

[TracyKPA]

Hi - we moved to Mechanicsburg from Coral Springs FL in early 2010 and it was the best decision ever (I absolutely hated south FL, for more reasons than I can list). I am originally from the northeast and my husband is from Texas and we have lived all over the country. Suburban Harrisburg is easily in the top 3 places we've lived. People here are real, down to earth and friendly. Lots and lots of pets and pet lovers. I'm an old married lady (LOL) so I can't really comment on the dating scene but if you're looking for somewhere to settle down long term, it is a great place to raise a family with top notch schools.

Other pros: Very close to major cities (DC, Philly, Baltimore, even NY can EASILY be done for a weekend) for culture you don't get in a city the size of Harrisburg. Cost of living really low. Beautiful scenery and lots of fresh, local produce. Did I mention the people here are real? You won't find much South Florida fake around here .

Cons: More conservative religiously than I expected (which might or might not be an issue for you). A bit lacking in diversity. Most people who live here are from here, which means a bit of a narrower world view. For us, these are minor issues in the grand scheme of things - we really do love it here!

[ki0eh]

Carlisle is more ethnically diverse and perhaps a bit more transient than Mechanicsburg. Carlisle has the Army War College, and also Dickinson College. The War College is for colonels on the way up, attracting the elite of America's most integrated major institution, and some wind up retiring in the area too. I found the area more conservative politically and as conservative socially as eastern Iowa where I moved from, and dating much better.

[daisy2010]

For single people this area is so-so but on the other hand, it is what you make it. There are many outdoor areas nearby, so maybe there are hiking clubs. There is a college nearby so probably entertainment and events associated with that. If you are church oriented you can find activities with that. I have lived in this region all of my life and have found the singles scene to be very disappointing and frankly, driving to other cities is not doable every weekend when you are working long hours all week. Most of the big cities within driving distance are expensive for weekend stays. One positive is that Carlisle is more affordable than other cities and not so big that it takes you an hour to get from here to there in traffic.

[StAcKhOuSe]

if you are looking for more "diversity"(LOL) then carlisle is right for you gangs and hillbillies alternate from block to block, very exciting. ive lived in mechanicsburg and it was so awful, people are fake and two faced like the whole west shore. after living a while there, i almost would've rather lived in the ghetto of harrisburg, or even detroit. whereas everyone on the east shore and hburg are just pissed off at the world and will shoot you dead just for looking in their general direction. a buddy of mine drove us to carlisle one night when we were drunk. i feel like i was in a gang of kid rock wannabees...lol

[travelhound]

I would never suggest anyone move to that area. It also has Carlisle University, conspiracy theorists call CU the seat of the
cabal and that is where many of them quietly send their upper class kids to become good little Bankers and Accountants for the super wealthy elite. That whole area is depressing beyond words, its a place to visit only unless you are part of the plan, nudge nudge wink wink hand signs. If you're into all that lodge stuff you'll feel right at home

[jtownsucks46]

Originally Posted by travelhound

I would never suggest anyone move to that area. It also has Carlisle University, conspiracy theorists call CU the seat of the
cabal and that is where many of them quietly send their upper class kids to become good little Bankers and Accountants for the super wealthy elite. That whole area is depressing beyond words, its a place to visit only unless you are part of the plan, nudge nudge wink wink hand signs. If you're into all that lodge stuff you'll feel right at home

What's Carlisle University? I'm not familiar with it, only Dickinson?

[blackht]

Originally Posted by travelhound

I would never suggest anyone move to that area. It also has Carlisle University, conspiracy theorists call CU the seat of the
cabal and that is where many of them quietly send their upper class kids to become good little Bankers and Accountants for the super wealthy elite. That whole area is depressing beyond words, its a place to visit only unless you are part of the plan, nudge nudge wink wink hand signs. If you're into all that lodge stuff you'll feel right at home

No such university. Its Dickinson College that is in Carlisle.