Category Archives: Lancaster

Harrisburg, Lancaster land in top 50 best places to live

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Harrisburg and Lancaster nabbed the two highest spots in Pennsylvania in U.S. News and Reports’ recently-released annual Best Places to Live list.

The site ranks the top 100 most populous areas in the country. Austin, Denver, San Jose, Washington, D.C. and Fayetteville, Ark claimed the top five.

In 34th place, Harrisburg, which fell nine spots from last year’s report, scored 6.7 out of a possible high of 10. The scores factored in aspects such as desirability, value, job market, quality of life and net migration. Harrisburg’s strongest assets are the value and quality of life in the Capitol city.

With a population of 558,198, Harrisburg’s affordable housing market and low cost of living make it an ideal location. The average annual salary is $46,520, about $5,000 below the national average, but the median home price is only $83,500, more than $125,000 less than the national average. Additionally, the unemployment rate, at 4.4 percent, is below the national average. The average work commute time is 22.5 minutes, also below the national average.

Harrisburg is a “fairly young” town, as 13 percent of the population is between 25 and 34, and the median age is slightly over 40. Harrisburg was also praised for its’ closeness to state parks, the Susquehanna River and music and art opportunities.

Meanwhile, Lancaster landed seven spots behind in 41st, scoring 6.6 overall. Lancaster’s highest-rated factors is the city’s quality of life and its value.

Lancaster’s population is 530,216, slightly below Harrisburg’s. Housing is also considered affordable here comparatively, with the median home price costing $176,138, more than $35,000 below the national median home price. Lancaster boasts a low unemployment rate (4.1 percent), and a 22.9 minute work commute.

Lancaster was applauded for its shops and restaurants on College Row, as well as closeness to hiking trails.

Lancaster, Pittsburgh named safest cities for walkers

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Two Pennsylvania cities were recently ranked on the top 10 list of the safest areas for pedestrians in the country.

According to Curbed.com, who ranked the cities, walkers in this country are now seven times more likely to be killed walking than in a natural disaster.

Lancaster, which was ranked seventh overall, offers several walking trails, some old railroad tracks redone.

Lancaster Association of Realtors® President Lynn Zimmerman said that “good schools, good family units with strong moral teaching and caring law enforcement” are the top reasons Lancaster ranks above most cities in the country for walkers’ safety.

Additionally, Zimmerman said the housing market is “strong with low inventory.” However, affordable rentals can be hard to find, making living in Lancaster a bit of a challenge for low-income residents. But the city offers a good tourist industry, he said, as well as a “very diversified economy which helps balance highs and lows in the economy.”

In Pittsburgh, pedestrian safety is a top priority. In the city, ranked ninth on the list, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership worked to bring more awareness to pedestrian safety in October. Actors dressed as zombies and the Grim Reaper surprised pedestrians who weren’t paying attention, thanks to their phones.

Ahead of the trend, the city launched WalkPittsburgh.org a few years ago, which encourages residents to walk when they can. The website and app provide walkable routes, safety tips and walkers can even sign in to log miles for their neighborhoods, and see how much gas they saved by walking.

Overall, Colorado Springs was named the safest city for walkers, while Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL was named the least.