Nicest areas of Lancaster for move (Philadelphia, Ephrata: real estate market, foreclosures, car insurance)

[searchin4home]

I'm thinking of moving to the Lancaster area. I have been looking and my last trip found a home in Columbia. I loved it and was shocked at how affordable it was. It was perfect for me but unfortunately while wondering what I should do, someone bid on the home and I lost it.

I'm still looking and I really like that particular neighborhood because you could still see farmland but it wasn't too rural. I would like to be no more than 5-10 minutes from a grocery store and no more than 15-20 minutes from a major shopping mall.

What is the best areas of Lancaster to live in? I was not thrilled with the city at all so that is out. I would have to be one of the surrounding towns.

Also, I saw a home listed in Denver. Is anyone familiar with Denver and what is it like. Close to stores or out in the middle of no where?

I am looking for very affordable housing.

Thank you!

[Icy Tea]

Manheim Township, Lititz. I know that area has great grocery stores and very upscale housing but also borders rural farmland. I'd think older homes in the towns might be a little more affordable. The Oregon Pike( Oregon Pike Dairy and Route 23( Shady Maple, East Earl Twp/Blueball) also have great grocery stores.
You're also about 15-20 minutes away from Park City and also the Rockvale Outlets along Route 30. There are also plenty of strip malls, restaurants and stores just east of park City along 222 where it connects with 30.
Denver and Ephrata are nice. Not quite developed like Lititz being a little too off the tourist track but there are some new developments going in. But still it has plenty going for it.

[searchin4home]

Originally Posted by Icy Tea

Manheim Township, Lititz. I know that area has great grocery stores and very upscale housing but also borders rural farmland. I'd think older homes in the towns might be a little more affordable. The Oregon Pike( Oregon Pike Dairy and Route 23( Shady Maple, East Earl Twp/Blueball) also have great grocery stores.
You're also about 15-20 minutes away from Park City and also the Rockvale Outlets along Route 30. There are also plenty of strip malls, restaurants and stores just east of park City along 222 where it connects with 30.
Denver and Ephrata are nice. Not quite developed like Lititz being a little too off the tourist track but there are some new developments going in. But still it has plenty going for it.

I'm very interested in being close the the Rockvale outlet stores. Big interest if I move. I guess I want my privacy but I don't want to be out in the middle of no where. Denver when i looked on google earth seemed to be mostly farmland.

Not so interested in alot of grocery stores, just one close Weis market and a few drugstores and fast food places would be nice. Also the outlet stores is of major interest to me.

I'm looking for an area that is inexpensive, safe and close to shopping. Is that possible? I guess the longer I wait, the more that will be available since the housing crunch is upon us. I'm really hoping to move within 3 months.

I heard the crime in the Lancaster suburbs is very low. Someone this weekend told me everyone is moving out because the crime is worse than Philadelphia. I didn't buy it. He also told me that the Amish are selling their farms to build big homes so pretty soon it will be very crowded up there. Any truth to this???? I'm very doubtful. I spent three days up there searching for homes and I felt very safe and peaceful.

[Icy Tea]

You might have to wait for home prices to fall. In Berks, home prices haven't dropped but have only flattened. Fewer homes are being built and sold and houses do wait longer to be sold but the real estate market is still strong. Credit card bankruptcies and foreclosures might increase and make more lower end homes available, but not to the extent of other areas.
Lancaster and Berks and the surrounding counties to lesser extents are huge on preserving farmland. They lead the nation, ranked around tied for third, in acres preserved. People see whats happened to Montgomery county and they want to avoid that fate. I'd say high taxes and home prices are driving people away from the close Philly suburbs and New Jersey, not crime. They still commute to places like KOP, but with higher gas prices that will probably cut down on people willing to commute. Or they'll be driving smaller cars. Very rich people, the ones building mcmansions or buying old farms will probably continue to live here and work there and not be affected.
I see a big push to keep farmland here and elsewhere. Higher corn and grain prices from ethanol use will boost farmers income and the area has been pretty lucky avoiding weather related issues. Also contaminated food from China will make US grown food more desirable. You might see a new agricultural boom in Pa. and Lancaster will be in the middle of it.

[Positiveone]

Isnt the Hempfield area the safest and considered by most the best schools and area to live in Lancaster County? Also did that post mean that he heard Lancaster Crime is higher than Philly's Crime?

I have heard that Lancaster City has a very high Hispanic & Illegal population with some bad gang activity. Any truth there?

Would you say that Lancaster County is growing in a positive way? I ask because i heard many places are having lay offs such as Armstrong , Hershey and there was one more, which i forget?

[searchin4home]

Originally Posted by Positiveone

Isnt the Hempfield area the safest and considered by most the best schools and area to live in Lancaster County? Also did that post mean that he heard Lancaster Crime is higher than Philly's Crime?

I have heard that Lancaster City has a very high Hispanic & Illegal population with some bad gang activity. Any truth there?

Would you say that Lancaster County is growing in a positive way? I ask because i heard many places are having lay offs such as Armstrong , Hershey and there was one more, which i forget?

Since I'm disabled, I'm looking more for affordable housing and shopping and doctors fairly close by. I'm also looking for peace and quiet.

I think philadelphia is becoming very bad as far as crime and the housing is outrageous. You just can't live here with the housing prices and the cost of car insurance. It is really crazy.

From what I've heard, Lancaster is very safe. There is one area in the city that is not good but i plan on staying away from that area.

I do believe Hempfield is a very nice area but I also believe the homes are quite expensive.

[lititzman2003]

I agree with just about everything Icy Tea wrote. Despite some issues I recommend Lititz. It has one of the best downtowns in the county. Park City is 15 minutes away and the Route 30 outlets are maybe 20 minutes away. The Heart of Lancaster General is just south of town and Warwick Township has a wide range of GP's and specialized physicians. As far as stores are concerned there is a Weis on Route 501 south of town and a Giant and CVS.

[Positiveone]

So what areas would you guys safe are the areas to avoid in Lancaster County? Like where are the high crime areas one shouldnt be around? Any areas so bad that you cant shop there, drive through?

How is the gang situation? Under control? Or getting worse?

Thanks

[lititzman2003]

You need to keep your guard up in and around certain areas of downtown Lancaster at night. There are the occasionally convenient store holdups throughout the county. Some residents in certain towns had their Christmas decorations vandalized. There is reported to be some gang activity in Lancaster city and recently there was a case where alleged gang members graffited a playground in New Holland. I've heard of a drug issue in Columbia and parts of Ephrata, but I've walked and driven through both towns and felt safe. As a matter of fact they have a growing downtown district and town officials that are putting alot of time and money into growing their towns. There is talk of building condos along the river in Columbia and Ephrata has added alot of nice stores in last few years.

If you take simple precautions you'll have little to fear if you chose to live here. Lock your car and house, be aware of your surroundings and watch your neighbor's back and your chances of being a victim of crime will practically be nonexistent.

[Positiveone]

Thats good to hear that they are not selling every farm in site. But do you think in time they will give in? I hope not. These days seems like way to many people are getting bought out by shopping centers.

Another question how is the current job market in Lancaster County at this time?

Are the home prices dropping there? Or going up fast?

Thanks !!

Originally Posted by Icy Tea

You might have to wait for home prices to fall. In Berks, home prices haven't dropped but have only flattened. Fewer homes are being built and sold and houses do wait longer to be sold but the real estate market is still strong. Credit card bankruptcies and foreclosures might increase and make more lower end homes available, but not to the extent of other areas.
Lancaster and Berks and the surrounding counties to lesser extents are huge on preserving farmland. They lead the nation, ranked around tied for third, in acres preserved. People see whats happened to Montgomery county and they want to avoid that fate. I'd say high taxes and home prices are driving people away from the close Philly suburbs and New Jersey, not crime. They still commute to places like KOP, but with higher gas prices that will probably cut down on people willing to commute. Or they'll be driving smaller cars. Very rich people, the ones building mcmansions or buying old farms will probably continue to live here and work there and not be affected.
I see a big push to keep farmland here and elsewhere. Higher corn and grain prices from ethanol use will boost farmers income and the area has been pretty lucky avoiding weather related issues. Also contaminated food from China will make US grown food more desirable. You might see a new agricultural boom in Pa. and Lancaster will be in the middle of it.