First job in Camp Hill (Scranton, Altoona: apartment complex, rentals, transfer to)

[Pureblood]

Hey all,

So I landed my first job out of college in Camp Hill, PA. I'll be making $55,000 a year. I'll be moving to the area at the end of May. I am currently from a small town near Altoona, PA.

What areas are good for young professionals in this area? I want to live in safe area and not have to drive very far everyday. Can I live comfortably on that income with about $1000 a month rent?

Is the area gay friendly at all and good for young people?

I don't want to live in a crappy area and I want a fairly decent apartment.

Any advice is appreciated.

[teachbeach]

Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg and Harrisburg are great towns for young professionals. Yes, you'll be able to live on the $1,000 month rent. Call the Chambers of Commerce or the Visitor's Center in each of the communities and ask them to send you relocation materials. That should provide you with some ideas for apartments and maps/routes to where your work will be located. The newspaper (Harrisburg Patriot) may also have some relocation packets as well. Good Luck!

[ki0eh]

Do you see yourself more in an apartment complex, an apartment in an older maybe 1 or 2 story building in a relatively quiet area, or maybe in a mid or high rise and near the bars on 2nd Street in Harrisburg?

[Pureblood]

I wouldn't mind being near the bars on 2nd Street. As long as the drive to Camp Hill isn't too bad. I'm stuck deciding on living in Harrisburg or Camp Hill. I'm used to small town living but I wouldn't mind living in a city.

[ki0eh]

You'd be bucking traffic on the way to Camp Hill coming out of the City. I'm also guessing you might have a work site in the office area on the NE side of Camp Hill spilling into East Pennsboro Twp and Wormleysburg Borough, which would be even closer to the city. If so Wormleysburg has individual rentals and might be worth considering as a compromise too. Maybe Lemoyne Borough too although it's traffic knotted in all directions.

[Pureblood]

I'll be working on Center Street near the Holy Spirit Hospital.

[ki0eh]

OK, check out Midtown Harrisburg and Wormleysburg then. Might even be able to ride a bike up Poplar Church Rd (and over the Harvey Taylor bridge).

[Keltic1]

Hi Pureblood,
I know the area you're talking about - I recently moved down here from the Scranton PA area. I had to drive daily (supervisor in healthcare), from Harrisburg to York and back on I-83... not the nicest commute.
Recently I was able to transfer to our Camp Hill area, which is right in the area you're going to be in. I've found that from where I'm living now in Harrisburg to that hospital is just under three miles and not a bad drive. I'm right off 2nd St, in the downtown area... all you have to do is drive down 2nd St (it's one way), and hang a left on Forster St., which takes you right over the Harvey Taylor bridge, and the Holy Spirit campus is directly on the right side about two miles up. It's an easy drive, and you can get there from another bridge (Market) as well but the Taylor bridge is easiest for me.
I like the city so far, having only been here a couple months. Joined the Y on the East shore... hey, a guy's gotta keep in shape, right?? (Camp Hill has another Y that you can also use on the West shore). Have been checking out some nightlife and places. The city has some nice things to do and some beautiful architecture. Living right off 2nd Street allows for lots of activities during the warmer months along the river. Camp Hill area also has its own attractions, and you do want to join a gym if you move to Harrisburg, since there are more than enough restaurants to explore!
As far as gay-friendly, I'm not too sure, but I do know for certain that it's more welcoming than, say, Scranton PA... There are some clubs, bars, the usual - but the most visible is Stallions, which looks kinda seedy, lol...