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The area closer to the capitol building is definitely beautiful. I must say; however, there are some ROUGH areas lol. Also, I scold the city for not supplying the youth with much to do. Well compared to other cities.
Someone told me about Harrisburg's "golden rule" when I first moved here in '97, and it's been true ever since:
If you can see the Capitol dome or the river, you're in a good part of town.
I guess "youth" is relative. Harrisburg is an awesome, awesome place to be a 20- or 30-something. Younger than that, well ... I didn't grow up here, so I can't say.
Someone told me about Harrisburg's "golden rule" when I first moved here in '97, and it's been true ever since:
If you can see the Capitol dome or the river, you're in a good part of town.
I guess "youth" is relative. Harrisburg is an awesome, awesome place to be a 20- or 30-something. Younger than that, well ... I didn't grow up here, so I can't say.
There is definitely a lack of a "true" college-age scene in Harrisburg. By that I mean 18-20 type scene. There is next to none aside from a few coffee shop haunts. But once you turn 21 the options really open up... Harrisburg has always been more of a yuppie/recent college grad type town to have fun.
Hopefully with Harrisburg University's continued growth that college scene will get better. Especially with the recent announcement that instead of building dorms, HU will partner with HBG Realty to place students in apartments around downtown/midtown.
I think the perception of high crime is because there isn't much of it. So when it happens, comparatively it looks bad.
I think the perception of high crime is due to two issues:
Reason #1.
First, we have to exstablish the fact that your perception of others people perception of it being a high crime area, is precisely due to their willingness to talk about it and voice such an opinion (cry about it).
I think that people from smaller towns, who never grew up in a real high crime environment such as a big city, become a little overly dramatic at the slightest hint of anything that could be considered crime or the appearance of people that they perceive to be likely to commit crimes (poor minorities). It gets blown out of proportion precisely because of their need for a little drama and danger in their lives. Because their lives have been so incredibly safe up until now, any crime becomes huge news and a reason to complain. Its very dramatic to be able to say that there is a lot of crime where they live, that there is a HUGE gang problem where they live, or that its just an overall unsafe place. However, this doesn't make it reality.
Of course, as far as perception is concerned, its all relative. Perhaps there is higher crime relative to what they were used to in their youth. But the reality of it that its so small, on a per capita basis, that the chance of them being a victim in their lives, living in Harrisburg, in absolutely negligible.
Reason #2
One thing that I have noticed about people who are in the demographic that commits the majority of crime, is that they tend to outwardly seem like they have more to prove out in the small cities anywhere that I have traveled.
They tend to have more tattooing and body piercing, act a little more belligerent, act a little less smart/choosy (in terms of the fights that they pick and the crimes that they commit), and a little more adolescent later into life.
Many of them seem to want to be a criminal because its cool to be so, maybe to break up the monotony. That isn't to say that they don't actually become criminals, but I think that the reasoning tends to be less survival based than it is in the cities. Its like they are trying to make up for the fact that they don't live the thug life in a big city. Whereas, that element here, in Philly, tends to be way more sophisticated (as far as poor criminals are concerned), undercover, manipulative, sociopathic, and in short, are better at hiding their intentions and motives, but are absolutely ruthless at carrying them out and getting what they want.
So you have much more peacocking in the criminal element outside of the city, leading to an inflated perception of the problem, but better effectiveness of the criminal element in a big city.
And I'm not saying that there isn't legitimate gang and drug traffic in the area, as anywhere, but those 'professional' criminals tend to try to conduct their business and stay out of the way of locals and the police. The petty and small scale violent crime that occurs, and would be what any locals might encounter, usually isn't from those that are trying to avoid getting caught trafficking large amounts of drugs, in general. Usually, the only way to get tangled up with them is to be operating in that world yourself.
I think the perception of high crime is due to two issues:
Reason #1.
First, we have to exstablish the fact that your perception of others people perception of it being a high crime area, is precisely due to their willingness to talk about it and voice such an opinion (cry about it).
I think that people from smaller towns, who never grew up in a real high crime environment such as a big city, become a little overly dramatic at the slightest hint of anything that could be considered crime or the appearance of people that they perceive to be likely to commit crimes (poor minorities). It gets blown out of proportion precisely because of their need for a little drama and danger in their lives. Because their lives have been so incredibly safe up until now, any crime becomes huge news and a reason to complain. Its very dramatic to be able to say that there is a lot of crime where they live, that there is a HUGE gang problem where they live, or that its just an overall unsafe place. However, this doesn't make it reality.
Of course, as far as perception is concerned, its all relative. Perhaps there is higher crime relative to what they were used to in their youth. But the reality of it that its so small, on a per capita basis, that the chance of them being a victim in their lives, living in Harrisburg, in absolutely negligible.
Reason #2
One thing that I have noticed about people who are in the demographic that commits the majority of crime, is that they tend to outwardly seem like they have more to prove out in the small cities anywhere that I have traveled.
They tend to have more tattooing and body piercing, act a little more belligerent, act a little less smart/choosy (in terms of the fights that they pick and the crimes that they commit), and a little more adolescent later into life.
Many of them seem to want to be a criminal because its cool to be so, maybe to break up the monotony. That isn't to say that they don't actually become criminals, but I think that the reasoning tends to be less survival based than it is in the cities. Its like they are trying to make up for the fact that they don't live the thug life in a big city. Whereas, that element here, in Philly, tends to be way more sophisticated (as far as poor criminals are concerned), undercover, manipulative, sociopathic, and in short, are better at hiding their intentions and motives, but are absolutely ruthless at carrying them out and getting what they want.
So you have much more peacocking in the criminal element outside of the city, leading to an inflated perception of the problem, but better effectiveness of the criminal element in a big city.
And I'm not saying that there isn't legitimate gang and drug traffic in the area, as anywhere, but those 'professional' criminals tend to try to conduct their business and stay out of the way of locals and the police. The petty and small scale violent crime that occurs, and would be what any locals might encounter, usually isn't from those that are trying to avoid getting caught trafficking large amounts of drugs, in general. Usually, the only way to get tangled up with them is to be operating in that world yourself.
Just my observations.
The fact is, Harrisburg has a very high crime "rate".... however, it's much deeper than just looking at the number. Harrisburg's city limits are VERY small, 8 square miles to be exact. So, those high crime areas of the city aren't equalized as much by the nice, low crime neighborhoods. If Harrisburg's city limits extended a few more miles in each direction, the crime rate would be much lower and the population more than double.
The fact is, Harrisburg has a very high crime "rate".... however, it's much deeper than just looking at the number. Harrisburg's city limits are VERY small, 8 square miles to be exact. So, those high crime areas of the city aren't equalized as much by the nice, low crime neighborhoods. If Harrisburg's city limits extended a few more miles in each direction, the crime rate would be much lower and the population more than double.
My husband and I just got back from visiting Harrisburg. He will be going to the Widener law school there in August so we decided to take a trip up there and see the area. Before I get into what I want to say, let me first preface this by saying that I am from CA and lived in TX for most of my adult life. I recently moved to RI w/my husband. My husband is from TX. We are both prior military and have pretty much been everywhere overseas and stateside. Now to the good stuff....I have never seen a more beautiful place in my life (well.... state side at least). I went to Harrisburg, York, Camp Hill, Carlisle,Mechanicsburg, etc. I did not have time to go to Hershey though. The area is just soooo beautiful! I just dont understand how there is any crime there at all! Maybe I didnt see the right areas. But I went all around Widener, downtown (around the governors mansion, the river, the court house, capital, etc) and I saw some rough areas but not nearly enough to be scared for my life. All this talk about the high crime in Harrisburg... I guess I just expected something else. Maybe thats just because I grew up in CA. I dont know. All I know is that it was so stunning. I cannot wait to move there now in August.
Any insight/feedback/comments will be greatly appreciated. The only thing I am worried about is (1) I didnt see any local VA Hospitals (my husband and I are both covered there) and (2) not enough houses for sale/rentals.
By the way: The whole trip we were treated very nice. Everyone was so friendly. I never like to listen to other's opinion on the treatment of outsiders because it really just depends on the attitude you bring to the table. I am always friendly and I always smile and thankfully, I am mostly always treated with the same level of kindness. If you do the same, I see no reason to worry.
First of all, I would like to say thank you for your service to this great nation. Secondly, are you sure you actually visited York and Harrisburg because I would put them on par with baltimore.......complete dumps.....you should live in Southern York County which is beautiful.
I am so glad that I read this post. We currently live in Santa Clarita, Ca (about 40 mins north of LA). I hate this state for what it's becomming and we have been loooking into the Harrisburg area. I thought, through my research that it looked and sounded like a pretty wonderful place to raise a family, and now I am certain! Thanks again!
First of all, I would like to say thank you for your service to this great nation. Secondly, are you sure you actually visited York and Harrisburg because I would put them on par with baltimore.......complete dumps.....you should live in Southern York County which is beautiful.
No offense, but someone who lives in a trailer calling Harrisburg a "dump"?? Not quite, buddy.
First of all, I would like to say thank you for your service to this great nation. Secondly, are you sure you actually visited York and Harrisburg because I would put them on par with baltimore.......complete dumps.....you should live in Southern York County which is beautiful.
Thanks leedspaddy!! Actually, I dont know where I was but the sign said "welcome to York" so I assumed that was York proper. Anyway, I am moving on the 15th and I am so excited. After all the moving we did in the military, I am finally glad to be settling down someplace!
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