Moving to Pennsylvania (Lancaster, Harrisburg, York: crime, to live in, restaurants)

[sherveen19]

Hi! I will be moving to Pennsylvania for work by the end of May. I found out I will be working in York and Lancaster most of the time. I don't know anything about Pennsylvania and never been out there. I am looking to live in either Lancaster or Harrisburg. I was wondering everyone opinion on which place would be more safe? I want to be able to live in downtown and be able to walk to bars and restaurants and feel self. I am a young in my 20s looking to meet people and have a good time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[teachbeach]

I would recommend downtown Lancaster. The area around Franklin & Marshall would be fun, there are some walkable bars, restaurants and you're close to both Route 30 to get to York and Route 283 to get to Harrisburg. On the days that you work in Lancaster, you wouldn't have much of a commute. I personally would avoid trying to commute from Harrisburg to Lancaster or York until after you've been in your job for a year or so...being close to work and accessible to doing things with people after work (there are tons of cool happy hour places in Lancaster and York) near your job can be an advantage. Better shopping in Lancaster with Park City Mall and the outlets. Look along Harrisburg Pike (south of Route 30).

[ddavidv]

Downtown Lancaster is by far better than York. I will argue that Lancaster has far more of an arts/culture scene than York also.
Traffic on Route 30 through York during rush hour is awful. I can drive through Lancaster city most of the time with few delays.
Commuting to either from Harrisburg will be a long, dull slog on a major highway that will shut down completely if there is a wreck.

[jag12]

Hi there -

Downtown Lancaster is really fantastic for walkability...there are far more restaurants and things to do in Lancaster, and the average age of residents is 30 - so you're not alone, and there are tons of things to walk to. Restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream places, a pop up park, burritos, breweries, etc...

I will say - be sure to look for a place that has parking if you can find it (it will make your life easier), and if you have a dog - be sure to check out Buchanan park (one of the best dog parks in the country) and plan to live nearby.

As far as safety is concerned..check out the crime map, and this is a funny (but sort of true map) to help you out - there are always exceptions of course:


Good luck!

[Dequindre]

Lancaster would be your best choice for an urban lifestyle like that.

[Flamingo13]

The poster was moving at the end of May and hasn't come back.