York, Hanover, or Lancaster ??? (Philadelphia, Allentown: real estate, new house, neighborhoods) - Pennsylvania (PA) - City-Data Forum

Weloveantiques · 05-25-2006, 05:30 PM

Thinking of moving out of Florida, we are part time Antique dealers so we love auctions, flea markets and antiques. Wich of these cities would be best? We have no kids so schools are not a big issue for us, tho they would be important for resale.

I have heard that Lancaster is being overrun with migrant workers that don't speak English-is that true? Cost of housing seems pricey in Lancaster. What can we get with 250K cash? A decent house with small barn or big garage would be great.

Thanks!

Phish Head · 05-25-2006, 06:02 PM

Lancaster, the city itself, not the county, is definitely overun with migrant workers. Many of the small cities in PA (Lancaster, Reading, Allentown) are heavily hispanic, and they do have attitudes. They are not safe cities anymore either. I would not recommend living in any of these towns.

The upside is that the counties surrounding these towns are still country, laid back, and pretty nice. Lancaster County is mostly farmland, few forested areas, and heavily Amish, which adds a nice flavor. Tons of roadside stands selling everything you can imagine. I'm not sure about Hanover. York county is pretty rural.

Phish Head

Weloveantiques · 06-11-2006, 01:53 PM

Anyone else have anything to add to this? Thanks!!

caw · 07-10-2006, 03:02 AM

My opinion? Hanover would be your best bet! New Oxford is like the antique capitol of south central PA and draws on the G-burg tourist trade and also from Frederick and D.C. There are many, many auctions available and many bargains to be found as far as antiques go at these auctions because it is mostly a rural area and untapped market!

lititzman2003 · 07-11-2006, 09:36 AM

Hanover seems like your best bet. People in Lancaster NEVER warm up to out-of-towners. I love my house and my town (Lititz), but the people are not friendly. We' re thinking of moving back towards Philly. Best of luck with your move.

Tinabell · 07-11-2006, 04:13 PM

I reccomend Strasburg. It has a lot of antique shops and country shops around town. I don't know about house $$ though I live in Lititz which is a nice little town.

enviroman · 07-13-2006, 09:30 AM

I lived in Lancaster County for ~3 years (moved away for college). I grew up in the burbs of Philly, and to the person that said the Lancaster County residents don't warm up to out-of-towners...well, I guess that's true to an extent. I found it was that I didn't warm up to their country lifestyle and mentality. I am pretty liberal...Lancaster is very conservative. If you are conservative and you like the rural life, Lancaster is perfect.

In terms of housing prices: My in-laws are shopping for a new house, so I've been privvy to housing costs, real estate taxes, etc. For whatever reason, Lancaster's housing market is booming. $250,000 will still get you a nice house, but I wouldn't expect any barn. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever seen a house with a barn that doesn't include a decent tract of land (read: expensive).

For what it's worth, I now live closer to Philadelphia. Don't think I hated my time in Lancaster. I liked aspects of the city and its surrounding area (and since my in-laws live there, I'm there somewhat frequently). I'd recommend areas like Lititz, Manheim Township, or Landisville.

Bengrey · 07-14-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weloveantiques

Thinking of moving out of Florida, we are part time Antique dealers so we love auctions, flea markets and antiques. Wich of these cities would be best? We have no kids so schools are not a big issue for us, tho they would be important for resale.

I have heard that Lancaster is being overrun with migrant workers that don't speak English-is that true? Cost of housing seems pricey in Lancaster. What can we get with 250K cash? A decent house with small barn or big garage would be great.

Thanks!

All these areas are good for antiques. There are a lot of flea markets and auction in these regions. The entire area is experiencing unchecked housing and population growth. Rural and farmland is being bought up and new neighborhoods are sprawling... in the southern end of Lancaster and York Counties, people from Maryland are moving in and commuting because housing is more expensive in those areas and they get twice as much house here for the same money.

NSHL10 · 07-17-2006, 07:47 PM

Just came back from visiting Lancaster for the first time in 2 years. The suburbs are definitely growing with many housing developments and the usual assortment of big box stores invading all over. I hope its popularity doesn't become its undoing.

enviroman · 07-22-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fopt65

Just came back from visiting Lancaster for the first time in 2 years. The suburbs are definitely growing with many housing developments and the usual assortment of big box stores invading all over. I hope its popularity doesn't become its undoing.

You'd have to define "undoing." Personally, I think Lancaster could use all of the out-of-town help it can get. I'd bet most of the lifelong residents don't want to see that.