Moving to Lancaster city, PA (Philadelphia, Harrisburg: best neighborhoods, to rent, crime)

[gpripu79]

Hi Everyone,

I will be moving to Lancaster city, PA in early 2012 along with my wife and a 9month old . So i wanted to get some realistic opinion of the city in itself and all about living. Considering the child we would like to live in place which is safe n secure and hopefully with in close distance of malls/parks... someone suggested Greenfield estates ?

It would be great if someone could help us with the following :

- is it a safe place to stay .. is there a lot of crime ?
- give me some feedback about the best neighborhoods, school districts, restaurants, etc?
- does it get really cold in winters.. ?
- how are the people .. open & warm or closed n cold ?
- is it expensive to commute through bus to local areas or via trains to neighboring cities ?
- any other suggestions .. something i should be weary about ?

Thanks in advance !

[teachbeach]

Welcome to southcentral PA? Will you be buying or renting? Since you have a young child, you might want to rent for at least 6 months to check out the areas. I'm not familar with Greenfield Estates, there are numerous subdivisions in the area, many lovely older neighborhoods, and lots of newer developments. Best school systems are Manheim Township, Hempfield, Lampeter Strasburg. There is also Lancaster Country Day (private). Other than the city, there really isn't a bad district, Penn Manor, Warwick, Conestoga, Millersville, Manheim Central and others are also worth consideration.

The area of east Route 30 will be congested on weekends and during the summer because of the tourism industry. The outlet malls, Dutch Wonderland, the resort conference centers etc. and restaurants all cater to the transient tourist. The largest mall is Park City and it's close to Long's Park, the quick trip to the train station, downtown restaurants and baseball stadium. The area of 72 (Manheim Pike), Fruitville Pike, Oregon Pike all have the formula restaurants, grocery stores etc. that you would need. If I were moving, I'd settle to the west of 222 and then narrow it to the area west of 222/283 and north of 30.

The snow doesn't stay around long~Lancaster can go a winter with less than 20" and then there are times when it has received 2 dumpings in excess of 20" in a week. It's in the Susquehanna Valley area but also gets the effects of the stuff that has been traveling up the Route 95 corridor.

There is an Amtrak station~easy to catch a train to Philly or New York. There is also a small airport. Harrisburg airport is about 40 minutes and very easy (although more expensive to fly) to navigate, park and fly. Hershey is close for entertainment. Lancaster City itself has a theatre, wonderful downtown restaurants, a great city market, the American Theatre and Sight and Sound. It's about an hour to Baltimore and slightly more than an hour drive to Philadelphia.

The people will be friendly and helpful, but not super warm. Having a child will help you become acquainted with other parents, especially if you live in an area with children, a neighborhood where you are outside, or if the child will go to daycare. Most people find common interests with others in a church group, or through their workplace, or other interest groups (ski club, bike club, Junior League, etc). Volunteering at a hospital or in another community service organization could also lead to friendshis. With the exception of a few areas of the city downtown area, I would say most areas are very safe. Even those areas would be fine during the day if you had to drive through them.

[pman]

hey teachbeach, what's the west end like? it looks really nice

[teachbeach]

Where specifically are you looking? Street names or major intersections? Lancaster is a large area~the "west end" could be anything west of 222 or 72 or 283 or even 23.

[pman]

Originally Posted by teachbeach

Where specifically are you looking? Street names or major intersections? Lancaster is a large area~the "west end" could be anything west of 222 or 72 or 283 or even 23.

I walked from the college to downtown, primarily on what became lemon st. stopped at a nice old italian grocery. houses were mostly twins and rows but very attractive and well kept.

[whereshome]

What you are describing the locals do not refer to as "Lancaster city". "Lancaster city" is just the downtown area. You can have a Lancaster address and not live "in the city". The city has some nice places and some really rough places. The county itself is very nice. You will not find the locals to be particularly friendly or warm. Most people stick to their family unit and don't really branch out socially. It would help to know where you are moving from to answer whether or not it gets "cold" in the winter because that is a relative term. I think others have stated the best school districts are viewed to be Manheim Township and Hempfield. The neighborhoods in those districts are nice too.