The "junkiest" city in America (Harrisburg, Steelton: for sale, renter)

[DowntownHarrisburg]

America's junkiest cities - Jun. 1, 2010

CNN ran a story today about our city's growing debt crisis. There is a lot to be said both in favor of and against bankruptcy and digging ourselves out.

As a renter within the city, I don't anticipate this having much of an impact on me, if only because I can pick up and move if things get terrible. But the weekend revelers, the diners, the entertainment patrons, and the city employees will all continue coming into the city and doing their thing regardless of our financial state. The people who will really get socked are homeowners and business owners, both of whom will likely be on the hook for higher taxes and city fees.

[LivingMoon]

There is not a day that goes by when I don't breathe a sigh of relief that I didn't buy a home in Harrisburg.

Am wondering what will happen should one of the many predicted (or as our local newsreaders would say, purdikted) tropical storms dumps a load of rain somewhere upriver along the Susquehanna this year.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by LivingMoon

There is not a day that goes by when I don't breathe a sigh of relief that I didn't buy a home in Harrisburg.

Am wondering what will happen should one of the many predicted (or as our local newsreaders would say, purdikted) tropical storms dumps a load of rain somewhere upriver along the Susquehanna this year.

All I know is housing values continue to rise in Midtown. There are more homes for sale, but housing values are good and there has been no "mass exodus" as predicted. I can't imagine living anywhere else but here, as a matter of fact, it's quite depressing being young and not in the city, at least from my perspective.

And not all of Harrisburg is in the flood plain.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

I was just looking at my pictures from the 2004 flood. Paxton Street between Front & the railroad tracks got deeply flooded, resulting in the exit ramps being closed. This stretched down to around the area of the first railroad bridge. Cameron Street took water around Appalachian Brewing Company, the Market Street overpass, the post office, and towards Steelton near where the Greenbelt crosses over. I don't think most of the rest of the city took any water.

My building manager told me that EH took a few inches of water in the basement during hurricane Agnes back in '72, but that's it. By and large it seems the city is pretty flood-resistant.

But your point is a valid one, if I'm reading your correctly: What happens when we get hit with severe weather (downed trees, flooded streets, a snowstorm like this past February) after our city services have been cut?

Nobody knows. We may not have to find out, either.

[Jester27lax]

Originally Posted by danwxman

All I know is housing values continue to rise in Midtown. There are more homes for sale, but housing values are good and there has been no "mass exodus" as predicted. I can't imagine living anywhere else but here, as a matter of fact, it's quite depressing being young and not in the city, at least from my perspective.

And not all of Harrisburg is in the flood plain.

I'm still trying to figure out how/why housing prices are rising when no one is buying what is currently on the market. I've been following home prices in that area for about a year and there are still some of the same homes on the market ($300k-$450k) that were there well over a year ago. With the reduction in city services, etc., there isn't a pretty picture for people deciding to move into Harrisburg. With the schools being substandard and other factors, my wife and I have ruled out Harrisburg completely.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by Jester27lax

I'm still trying to figure out how/why housing prices are rising when no one is buying what is currently on the market. I've been following home prices in that area for about a year and there are still some of the same homes on the market ($300k-$450k) that were there well over a year ago. With the reduction in city services, etc., there isn't a pretty picture for people deciding to move into Harrisburg. With the schools being substandard and other factors, my wife and I have ruled out Harrisburg completely.

There are some larger multi-units in that price range that have been on the market for a couple years or so. The main problem with selling houses in Midtown is that so many people have lived in them for a long time and they are HEAVILY customized. They don't understand how to sell their house... Not to mention they are asking for suburban prices (in some cases 40-50% more than what they paid years ago, in other cases nearly double) in a city market.

Houses priced correctly and rehabs are still selling well. There is a beautiful old three bedroom farm house down the street from me that sold in 9 days. It was priced correctly (about $169,000).

[ekeo]

It seems that redrawing the municipal boundaries would be the best thing that could happen for the city. I get the feeling that the surrounding areas love to complain about the city, but they don't want to do anything about it.

[afdude2018]

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