Relocation Help (Lancaster area)- Help by August. 1 (York, Ephrata: transplants, rentals) - Pennsylvania (PA) - City-Data Forum

jojoboogie · 06-21-2015, 08:37 PM

Looking to move to Ephrata, Denver maybe even Elizabethtown, Mt Joy, Sinking Spring by August 1st~~
Currently have children that need to be enrolled in extra curricular activities and Gifted courses- What are my best options- All comments appreciated!!

LeaderOCola · 06-22-2015, 05:56 AM

Do you mind driving to work (I assume Lancaster is for work?)

Lancaster is having a pretty nice quasi rebound, but Sinking Spring could get you into Wilson school. (albeit a bit of a drive by most people's standards --- I drive about 2x that far, but I'm a glutton for punishment...)

CCG2015 · 06-23-2015, 09:02 PM

What area will you be working in? Some of the areas you mentioned are a good distance from each other.

Also will you be renting or buying? Lancaster is very expensive right now for rentals. You wont find much for under $1000.00 and thats a 1 bdrm. Its probably a bit cheaper in the denver/ephrata area. Etown is really nice and a bit cheaper but not much going on there unless you're in college or work there. I loved living up there but thats will be a pain of a commute if you're in Lanc.
Im not sure what the above poster means by Lancaster having a quasi rebound, if we are Im not seeing it. there are literally no jobs here outside of food serve or retail and the cost of living has all but doubled in the past few yrs. There aren't many options available for rentals but if you can afford to buy you'll be better off but keep in mind we have really high Property and School taxes.

I dont have kids so can't help you there but I can tell you Lanc is a very family oriented area so you shouldnt have any problem finding activities for your kids. Lititz seems to do more in that way and is one of the more desirable areas but it's also more expensive. It's also not the friendliest of areas as far as outsiders go but thats lancaster in general too.

Are you familiar with the area at all? Have you ever been here?

jojoboogie · 06-23-2015, 09:40 PM

I will be working at Nuke plant- Will need a 3+ bedroom and really want to find great school district. I have to stay outside a radius of the nuke plant for relocation. I have visited ephrata several time and Lanco but for brief time. I do not mind traveling a bit to work. My mileage Im sure either way I will have to travel about an hour. So I want to pick a great area and stay there for a while.
I have not been to elizabethtown, Mt. Joy or around there curious about those too.

CCG2015 · 06-24-2015, 04:55 PM

I asked some guys at work with kids and they said most consider Manheim Township (Zip 17601)and Warwick (Lititz 17543) the better of the schools as far as academic achievement and outside activities. Said most want to avoid Devner/Ephrata school b/c of drug issues even tho there are issues in every SD. I do consider Elizabethtown (Known as E-Town around here 17022) and Mount Joy (17522)both nice areas with decent schools but nothing special. You can use those zip codes to search for places on Hotpads or whatever you're using.

Hard to say what area to recommend without knowing more about you and lifestyle. I will say the only area with any kind of diversity so to speak would be in the city which is getting more dangerous, just want to avoid certain areas especially at night. Mountville and West Hempfield are also nice areas with decent schools too.

Will you be buying or renting? Rentals are scarce in some areas. You will probably only be able to find something in an apt. complex if you're renting. You may luck out and find a house for rent in Mhm Twp, I would expect to pay 1400-1600 tho. I know houses in both MT and Lititz dont sit on the market long. Lititiz is literally just down the road from Mnh Twp, you drive thru both on 501. Lititz is probably the only developing area here with new strip malls and stuff being built.

The people aren't the friendliest but then you'll have that no matter which SD you live in. Not sure what you know about the area but we dont get a lot of transplants here so you may really feel like an outsider no matter what area you live in b/c most there have been there for generations. You can feel like an outsider just moving outside of the SD you grew up b/c even tho you're just 15 minutes from there those ppl have always been in that SD for generations. I'm partial to Etown b/c of all the different areas Ive lived in Lancaster (born and raised here) Etwn had the nicest and friendliest people. This is a very clique area, most here have been here for generation and have never left the area. PPl still run with their HS cliques even 20 yrs later just b/c there aren't many transplants here.

Im glad you have job in hand so at least won't be an issue for you. You have more patience than me as far as communiting. Rush hour traffic aorond here is a mess. you have 2 major roads to places, 283 and 30 and there will be at least an accident a week on both that will tie up traffic. It's even worse in the winter. Not sure where you're from but our winters are harsh with lots of snow and ice. the am commute is a royal PAIN, accidents everywhere. Only the main routes get treated in the morning (if we're lucky)(secondary rds come last so keep that in mind too).Not sure what else you want to know but good luck on your move.

teachbeach · 06-24-2015, 07:36 PM

Manheim Township, Warwick or Hempfield are the better school districts for academics, extra curricular and enrichment programs. If you're working at TMI you might also consider York Suburban or Central School districts in York. Your commute would be from Route 30 up 441 to TMI. Probably the same amount of time as coming from the Hempfield, Manheim or Warwick area.

jojoboogie · 06-24-2015, 08:18 PM

Thank you so much everyone! I will be at Peach Bottom so im sure the drive will be interesting to say the least.. I am on my search now.. thank you

teachbeach · 06-25-2015, 04:05 PM

If you're at PB you might want to also look at Dallastown School District in York County. It has a very wide sending area (down to parts of Glen Rock/Loganville). It is also an excellent school district, with a solid reputation for academics, athletics and extra curricular activities. There are also numerous soccer programs, dance studios, karate, etc. The only drawback is that your child's best friend could be 20 miles away, once they get in high school. Red Lion is even larger and closer, and as a former resident of the district (I didn't have children so only know from neighbors/colleagues) I can speak for it's overall strengths as well. You said you had to live within or outside a certain radius of your place of employment, so not sure if York County would work for your situation. You might find housing options and the actual commute from a York home more manageable. If you live in Lancaster, you will have to take 322/222 to work, which is a congestive nightmare. At least in York, you'd have the options of back, country roads to get to Delta.

tone77 · 07-02-2015, 06:07 PM

Peach bottom is easily an hour drive from Ephrata or Mt. Joy, longer from Elizabethtown or Denver. You may want to look at Millersville, Willow Street, or East Lampeter areas. All have decent school districts, and will cut your commute ime in half.

Fedge · 08-24-2015, 01:44 PM

We live in East Hempfield and a neighbor works at PB. He has no problem with the commute. Hempfield, Manheim Township, and Warwick are all good schools. I prefer Hempfield. We've had fantastic experiences at the elementary level. Plus, I think it's a little more diverse than the other two. Although, unless you're in Lancaster City, "diverse" and "Lancaster County" together form an oxymoron.