Family moving to Newport? (Harrisburg, Carlisle: 2015, crime, buying a home)

[Binx91812]

We are looking to move to Newport and I was wondering what type of area it is. I've driven through and it seems nice. Is it a safe place, especially with small children? What is the crime like there? Any tips/suggestions? Thanks

[g500]

No crime, very rural, very conservative politically. About 26 miles to Harrisburg downtown (it is actually as close as downtown Carlisle is to downtown Harrisburg). Cheap area, not many jobs. Commuting on US 322 can be a headache going toward or away from Harrisburg at peak times 7-9 am or 4-6 pm.

[ki0eh]

Compared to many smaller communities, the area around the Newport square is mostly occupied with such places as an art gallery, natural foods store, and a great little coffee shop. One hesitates to apply "gentrified" as an adjective. The schools are still in town, as is the Weis grocery store (on a side street) so it offers relatively high walkability to daily local services for a small community. Jobs are pretty much absent unless you happen to teach at the school though.

Flood zone is extensive (past the square and even 3rd Street) and there are significant infrastructure ticking time bombs such as the sewer system and the only Juniata River bridge. Water bills are very high and sewer bills are getting there. Howe Twp across the river is getting sewers and is zoned for high density development around the highway interchange. Oliver Twp has quieter neighborhoods out of the way with little growth occurring on that side of the river. The East Newport area of Oliver Twp (around the township building) has flood zones as well.

The State Police have a station in Howe Twp, but local police protection has been a sore subject in Newport Boro and Oliver Twp. A new medical clinic has opened in Howe Twp as well, but hospitals are no closer than Harrisburg or its West Shore suburbs.

As in most communities any more there is a druggie/riff-raff element, but the area is far from having gang wars and the like.

Millerstown and New Bloomfield both have less flood zone potential than Newport, but both (especially Millerstown) are smaller and have fewer walkable services. New Bloomfield as the county seat has a bit of gentility (more apparent on side streets north of Main St) mostly lacking in Newport. Its daily shopping is on Cold Storage Rd a side road in west end of town. Passing through Bloomfield on 34 you'd wonder where the town is.

Duncannon would be similar to Newport (including a large flood zone), except its schools and the grocery store have both relocated outside town. The Appalachian Trail passes through Duncannon, adding a bit of serendipity and micro-tourism. Duncannon is also that much closer to weekly shopping bases in Harrisburg/West Shore and to job opportunities for most folks.

[Binx91812]

What do you mean police being a sore subject. We are currently in the process of buying a home in Newport. We currently live in Snyder county so I'm not sure how to compare. I am concerned if walking with small children is advisable.

[ki0eh]

Newport Borough Council authorizes payout settling police suit | PennLive.com

https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/...rk_Botts_et_al