Amblebrook
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
What It Is Like to Retire in Lancaster
Lancaster, population 60,000, is the capital of Lancaster County in south-central Pennsylvania. Located in Pennsylvania Dutch country, it has pretty scenery. It is home to the private Franklin and Marshall College. The town has a long and important history - Conestoga wagons and the Pennsylvania long rifle were both made here. President James Buchanan hailed from Lancaster, as did Thaddeus Stevens. Woolworth's, the first successful five and dime store, opened in Lancaster. In 2002 Lancaster General Hospital and Franklin & Marshall engaged in the Northwest Gateway Project, a multi-million conversion of a former Armstrong industrial plant into an exciting and major expansion of their campuses. Photo of Central Market, and photo of Soldiers and Sailors Monument Lancaster, courtesy of Wikipedia and Daderot, (public domain), photo of The Shadek-Fackenthall Library at Franklin and Marshall College courtesy of Wikipedia and Smallbones, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/
Where to Retire in Lancaster and Home Prices
You can live in town or in one of the active adult or CCRCs in the area. Zillow pegged the median value of a home to be $334,583 in mid-2023.
What Is Special about Lancaster
Lancaster has a rich history. It is also a college town in a pretty part of Pennsylvania Dutch country. The Central Market is the oldest farmers market in the country and a big tourist attraction because of the Amish goods offered for sale, there are several cultural institutions nearby.
What Is Not Special about Lancaster
High crime rate.
Who Will Like Retirement in Lancaster
Pennsylvanians who want to escape the city and live in a college town might like Lancaster. The community is very walkable, and is home to several sports venues, a country club that has hosted the U.S. Women's Open, and the Lancaster Cycling Club. The town also has a hospital, a great library, museums, many events and historical sites and an Ice Cream Trail.
Local Economy Is Driven by
The local economy is driven by it being the county seat, the center of the local commercial area, and home to Franklin & Marshall. Park City Center is a very large enclosed shopping mall with over 150 stores.
Climate and Physical Environment
Lancaster is in the rolling terrain of south central Pennsylvania. The average July high is 85. The average Jan low is 21. The wettest month is September (4.5").
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
The Fulton Opera House is the oldest continuously operated theatre in the country, one of only three theatres designated as National Historic Landmarks. There are several art museums including the Demuth Museum and two others on the campus of Franklin & Marshall. There is an arboretum, James Buchanan's home, and a proposed museum for Thaddeus Stevens.
Crime
The crime rate is well above average.
Medical facilities
Lancaster has several hospitals including Lancaster General.
Transportation
Red Rose Transit Authority provides local bus service. Amtrak has a station in Lancaster, and there is also the Lancaster Airport. The nearest international airport is in Harrisburg about 30 miles away, and in Philadelphia, about 85 miles away.
Valuable Links
Wikipedia information on LancasterMini-guide to Pennsylvania Retirement Lancaster, PA Discover Lancaster
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