Relocation

People move to Gettysburg for all kinds of reasons, and two popular ones have perpetually been to enjoy the beauty of the area and to study the battlefield and the Civil War at leisure. Today there’s a third reason that’s becoming more and more prevalent—to get more house for the money while commuting to Baltimore or Washington for work. Gettysburg has become a bedroom community for those two metropolitan areas, and because of this, real estate is usually more expensive in the southern part of Adams County.

This bedroom-community effect has contributed to Adams County’s being one of the fastest growing counties in the commonwealth. The 2007 Census estimate places the population at 100,779 while the 2000 census had the number at 91,292—a more than 10 percent increase. Housing developments are still springing up despite current difficult financial times for the real estate market, and most residents drive about 25 minutes to get to work. Unemployment statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for the year 2006 show that Adams County enjoys a low unemployment rate of 3.4 percent, much less than the Pennsylvania rate of 5.1 percent and the national rate of 4.6 percent. Of course, with the current financial crisis hitting all parts of America, those numbers are rising and they will probably continue to do so.

Gettysburg has always been a town of the “haves” and the “have-nots,” and nowhere is this more discernible than when you look at the area real estate market. The average price for a home here is around $200,000, but executive homes can sell for $500,000, and many homes in planned housing developments range from $285,000 to $450,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $450 to $600 per month, while a two- to three-bedroom apartment will cost you $600 to $950 a month. Renting a house that has three or more bedrooms averages $900 to $1500 per month. Although these costs may seem reasonable to some readers, many Gettysburg residents earn $7 per hour, and many jobs are seasonal. Affordable housing has become a major concern, and county officials have formed a task force to confront the issue. Still, Adams County as a whole continues to outpace the state in number of residents who own their own home, with 76.8 percent of county residents enjoying home ownership versus the state average of 71.3 percent.

Where you live has a profound effect on your day-to-day existence, and this chapter will cover neighborhoods in the surrounding area. Some basic community information is included, as are places to contact early in your relocation process. Information is also provided on the humdrum but necessary chores that accompany a move, including getting a new driver’s license, registering your car, and registering to vote.