Possibly moving to Bernville PA.... (Lancaster, Lebanon: low crime, houses, schools)

[aphahorse]

We finally think we found a house we like in Bernville PA....it is about 5 miles west from the center of Bernville.

We like the immediate area that the house is in, we like how rural the area feels, we are looking for a farming community. And the surrounding areas seem nice (nice houses, etc) ... altho, when we stopped at a gas station in the heart of Bernville itself, I felt like I had to lock my doors, it seemed very run down & full of crime since there were a few signs hanging on the door about "reward to catch this person" etc.

The house is about 1.5 miles from route 183. From what I have read, Rte 183 can (and does) get busy...but I'm not sure about that particular part of 183.

Opinions on the Bernville area?

-Are there Amish / Mennonite in the area? We drove around and have seen some Mennonite farms & also Brethren and Mennonite churches, and an Amish school.....but no Amish buggies.

-We do not have children....yet, but want safe schools for when we do.

-We want a low-crime area.

-Should we be concerned about anything in the area?

-Can you recommend any small/family owned food stores...possibly Mennonite?

We are relocating from out of state, and are working with a realtor, and have been out several times just to drive around the area, check out stores, restaurants, etc...and will be back out several more times, but would like to hear from people who really know the area well.

Thanks in advance!

[Icy Tea]

I've driven through the area but I'm not up on local small businesses. I can say that the area has excellent grocery store options, being Redner's , Giant, Weis, as well as Wal Mart for low prices. Don't expect to find a Whole Foods or Wegman's there are no plans to build any . There are private stores not too far off, along 422 east of Lebanon there's a mennonite run grocery thats pretty nice and comes fairly close to ones in Lancaster( Shady Maple, Stauffer's of Kissell Hill, Oregon Pike Dairy). There is a place along 183 thats well regarded for ice cream but its been years since I've been there.
I'd say Bernville is low crime area. There is a trend for some isolated rural homes being targeted for break ins but no specific area. Maybe get a dog if you don't have any neighbors close by. Really thats not very likely but caution is never bad.