Lancaster, PA Reviews

It's a beautiful city but i5 has some major issues - 11/23/2021
Lancaster is really nice in some parts, but it seems like the further away you get from downtown the worse it gets. I grew up around Saint Joseph and manor and saw fights with groups of up to 15 people, cops running through our yard looking for a dealer who lived next to me, police chases, insane fatal car crashes (the 999 is a very very very busy especially during rush hour.)
Long story short, don't move here. Drugs are rampant, housing costs are way too high for a 1 bedroom apartment even in the worst hoods (1000 a month on BEAVER STREET) crime is pretty far above the national average (I believe the national avg is in between 20 and 25 Percent and lanc stands at 44.5 percent, or a 1 in 31 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime) some areas I'd definitely avoid here are anywhere from west king back to water street and anywhere off of east king towards the castle. The nicer areas tend to be around midtown. But keep in mind, there is still high crime in these areas even Read More

Wondering about Lancaster's Safety - 12/31/2018
I was there last weekend and was extremely favorably impressed. The only hesitation, and question, I have about the place is the high crime rate. It is hard to tell from the statistics where/when/how these crimes are taking place. Are they ALL over the city? Or...primarily in one or two sections? Primarily amongst substance abusers? Any of your insights are welcome, as I'm seriously debating whether it is safe for people in their 60's to move into the heart of the city or whether wiser to move 6-8 miles outside of Read More

Young and Old Together - 11/28/2014
Lancaster is the nation's oldest inland city located in central PA amid Amish farmlands. Walkable and soon to be bike friendly, it offers a variety of great restaurants and coffee shops as well as live theater and music. Gallery Row showcases artists' work in a variety of media. Healthcare is offered by two systems within the city. "Millennials" and boomers mix with young families in this vibrant environment. Diversity abounds with a high percentage of Hispanics from a variety of countries. A college of art and design and a theological seminary along with two nearby universities, and a bible college offer many formal and informal educational Read More

A Nightmare in Lancaster! - 1/27/2014
I have lived in and visited many places over my 60 years, and Lancaster, PA, is by far my least favorite. The crime is high, the air pollution is bad, urban blight is all around, there are virtually no pretty or scenic areas anywhere in the city, and the traffic is miserable.

But the WORST aspect of Lancaster is the prevailing attitude of so many of the people who live there. That attitude can best be summed up in one word: NARCISSISM. In other words, a high percentage of Lancaster inhabitants seem to care only about themselves, and to heck with everybody else.

There are some truly wonderful, caring, kind, empathetic, and giving people in Lancaster. I went to practical nursing school there years ago. My class of fellow nursing students, who deeply honored me by electing me their class president, were wonderful, as were the nursing instructors. I don't want my review to cast a bad light on any of them.

But sadly, the good-hearted people in Read More

A Nightmare in Lancaster! - 1/27/2014
I have lived in and visited many places over my 60 years, and Lancaster, PA, is by far my least favorite. The crime is high, the air pollution is bad, urban blight is all around, there are virtually no pretty or scenic areas anywhere in the city, and the traffic is miserable.

But the WORST aspect of Lancaster is the prevailing attitude of so many of the people who live there. That attitude can best be summed up in one word: NARCISSISM. In other words, a high percentage of Lancaster inhabitants seem to care only about themselves, and to heck with everybody else.

There are some truly wonderful, caring, kind, empathetic, and giving people in Lancaster. I went to practical nursing school there years ago. My class of fellow nursing students, who deeply honored me by electing me their class president, were wonderful, as were the nursing instructors. I don't want my review to cast a bad light on any of them.

But sadly, the good-hearted people in Read More

Lancaster is "Not that Bad" - Honest Review - 3/7/2011
I was born and raised in Lancaster, PA. I have been here all my life, never lived any where else. I am African American and Lancaster is pre-dominately white, and I know that the town has some issues, but I still enjoyed growing up here. I don't live in the city, I live in the ourskirts which is called Manor Twp. In comparison to some of the surrounding cities (York, Harrisburg, Philadelphia) I would much rather reside in Lancaster. True the city is small and there may not be much to do, but it does have plenty of good restaurants, and a minor league baseball team, 2 of the best colleges in the state, Franklin and Marshall and Millerville University. Also, if you like shopping we have the outlets at Rockvale Square and Tanger Mill that retail designer and brand name cloting. There are also malls and our downtown specialty shops. Yes, there are some bad areas, that you might want to avoid, but just like every place in America there is crime, but we have never been on the top 10 Read More

crime vilonce and economy - 12/8/2009
i think this crime has to stop just because the economy is bad dosent mean go and start all theses problems....is this what we want to teach our kids crime is the best way to solve things... well its not its time to put a end to this i am 17 years old a senior in high school and i see how all of our students act and its not right they act the the world owes them something and its not like that we need to solve this problem...............before it gets worse we need to educate our kids right for the next genoration.....
thank you erika Read More

I don't get it - 10/1/2008
I don't understand what people see in this place. There are a few amish families that run farms around here and people flock to the area just to see them riding a horse, growing corn and raising their cattle. Big deal! That is their job.

What the brochures don't tell you about this place is the horrible crime rate, the horrible traffic, and the horrible pollution. When you come here, make sure you realize that you are not "out in the country." There is an Olive Garden and a Red Lobster 5-10 miles away from you at all times for pete's sake! If you are looking to "get away from it all," go to the Catskills, Northern PA, or the Shanendoah Mts. in VA, and truly get away. Don't come to this crime ridden, overly commercialized area of Southern PA. Think about it... There are a half million people that live in Lancaster County. THIS IS NOT " OUT IN THE Read More

Lancaster, PA - 8/21/2008
Lancaster is cold in the winter, although not unbearably so. Even on the coldest days you can walk to work without having to be very bundled up-no thermal underwear, etc. It doesn't snow a lot. The city has gotten better about clearing the snow off of the streets, but there are a lot of small side streets in the city that don't get cleared very well. The snow is shoved to the sides of the streets, making parking very difficult. Residents put lawn chairs to save their spots. The real problem is the ice. The sidewalks are often not cleared of ice, so walking can be difficult. Locals talk about the infamous "black ice" that makes driving dangerous.

The summers are humid and/or rainy. There don't seem to be a lot days that are sunny and hot without being humid.

The fall is the best season b/c the days are usually sunny and mild.

The spring seems to be very short. I feel as though the weather quickly changes from short dark cold days to Read More

Lancaster City vs. Lancaster County - 11/11/2007
The political landscape in this area is divided between Lancaster City, being more liberal and Democratic and Lancaster County as a whole, being more conservative and Republican. Lancaster County as a whole has voted Republican in both state and national elections for a very, very long time. People looking to relocate here who are Democrats and interested in being politically active should know that they will have a long, uphill climb if they hope to see their party prevail in Read More