Considering move to Hanover, PA area (Pittsburgh, Allentown: appointed, condo, how much)

[Suey123]

We're considering a move to the vicinity of Hanover, PA for hubby's job. We have middle-school-aged kids so want decent schools and an area that will have things for teens to do. I grew up in a rural area outside of Allentown in the 1980s/early 90s and hated every minute of it--too conservative, everyone had lived there for generations, nothing to do as a teen but drink.

We spent 20 years in the Boston area and loved it: liberal values, transient population, lots of educated folks, tons to do. Unfortunately we work in non-profit fields and can't afford to move back.

Is there anywhere within commuting distance of Hanover that might work for us?

When are you moving? PERHAPS THIS WINTER
Where are you coming from? RURAL SOUTH
Why are you moving? JOB
Where will you be working? HANOVER, PA
Have you been here yet? ONLY DRIVING THRU
Will you buy or rent? BUY
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? HOUSE. UP TO $500,000
Are you married or single? Do you have children? MARRIED, TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
Do you prefer public or private schools? PUBLIC SCHOOL
Do you have pets? DOG
Do you want or need a yard? YES
Are you keeping a car? YES
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? I LIKE TO TALK TO MY NEIGHBORS
What do you want to be closest to? WORK, SHOPPING, SERVICES, LIBRARY, DOWNTOWN AREA
Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD
Phillies, Pirates or Mets? RED SOX

[medievalbooks]

Might think about Gettysburg area...it is about a half hour away from Hanover. Or towns between Gettysburg and Hanover. Uncertain how diverse it is.

Take a trip here before deciding to move. Scout the area and the towns. Prices are going up on houses with folks moving from urban areas.

[Sicilee]

I don’t think you will like Hanover, if you disliked the Allentown area. There is much to like about Hanover, but you won’t find what you are looking for. It’s a very conservative area, socially and politically. Not very diverse. People tend to stick to their family and church groups for social activities. I can’t speak to schools. There are basic stores here, but the mall is a joke with only a handful of stores. Lots of big box stores and chain restaurants, sure. You could think about looking in northern Maryland, depending on exactly where hubby’s job will be. Westminster has some of what you are looking for. Or perhaps Timonium or hunt valley. York is also a possibility, and culturally it’s different enough from Hanover that you might like it. But it’s not an easy drive from Hanover, especially if doing it every day for work. You won’t have trouble Finding a nice house in your price range. Your challenge will be finding a community that you feel is a good fit for you.

Originally Posted by Suey123

We're considering a move to the vicinity of Hanover, PA for hubby's job. We have middle-school-aged kids so want decent schools and an area that will have things for teens to do. I grew up in a rural area outside of Allentown in the 1980s/early 90s and hated every minute of it--too conservative, everyone had lived there for generations, nothing to do as a teen but drink.

We spent 20 years in the Boston area and loved it: liberal values, transient population, lots of educated folks, tons to do. Unfortunately we work in non-profit fields and can't afford to move back.

Is there anywhere within commuting distance of Hanover that might work for us?

When are you moving? PERHAPS THIS WINTER
Where are you coming from? RURAL SOUTH
Why are you moving? JOB
Where will you be working? HANOVER, PA
Have you been here yet? ONLY DRIVING THRU
Will you buy or rent? BUY
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? HOUSE. UP TO $500,000
Are you married or single? Do you have children? MARRIED, TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
Do you prefer public or private schools? PUBLIC SCHOOL
Do you have pets? DOG
Do you want or need a yard? YES
Are you keeping a car? YES
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? I LIKE TO TALK TO MY NEIGHBORS
What do you want to be closest to? WORK, SHOPPING, SERVICES, LIBRARY, DOWNTOWN AREA
Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD
Phillies, Pirates or Mets? RED SOX

[Wells5]

You may want to look into Spring Grove, PA, which is about midway between York and Hanover. The Spring Grove Area School district is highly rated. Housing is expensive there.

[E-Z-B]

Spring Grove schools are nothing to write home about. Honestly, York Suburban might be your best bet with finding folks politically aligned with you while being in a good school district. West of that is red until you get to Pittsburgh, lol. But the commute might be a bit too much to Hanover.

[Suey123]

Thanks, guys. That's kind of what I was afraid of.

[E-Z-B]

Well, if you do visit the Hanover area, be sure to stop off at the Texas Hot Weiner. Best hot dogs anywhere. However, you’ll likely observe that hair and clothe fashions are still stuck in the early 90s, lol.

[golgi1]

Originally Posted by Suey123

We're considering a move to the vicinity of Hanover, PA for hubby's job. We have middle-school-aged kids so want decent schools and an area that will have things for teens to do. I grew up in a rural area outside of Allentown in the 1980s/early 90s and hated every minute of it--too conservative, everyone had lived there for generations, nothing to do as a teen but drink.

We spent 20 years in the Boston area and loved it: liberal values, transient population, lots of educated folks, tons to do. Unfortunately we work in non-profit fields and can't afford to move back.

Things for teens to do: not so much. Hanover is more rural than Allentown.

Liberal: not so much. Hanover is more conservative than Allentown.

You dislike people with roots and like transients: weird, but okay. Then you really want a city, not a town. No one really moves to South Central PA.
People move away from South Central PA. That's a generalization, of course, but generally true. Most of the population that will be there grew up there.

Educated: relative measure. Lots of Bachelors degrees everywhere these days. Graduate degrees are rare everywhere as a rule. Elite private university educations are rare as a rule. If you are comparing any other place to Boston in the category of educated you will come away disappointed. Looking for that anywhere in rural America is a strange quest aside from flagship State U towns.

My recommendation is to live in the Baltimore suburbs and commute to Hanover. Given your needs, that's the play without a doubt. Hanover is pretty much part of the Baltimore suburban ring. Lots of people commute between the two general areas, though mostly inverse to what your commute will be. Try Towson, Columbia, or Ellicott City for suburbs. North Central Baltimore for urban living.

Or, to be kinder to your husband in terms of commute, resolve to living in rural, conservative, little-to-do Hanover and commute into Baltimore to get your urban fix.