I am moving...

[RomaGoth]

to Pennsylvania after accepting a new job. I grew up in Michigan but PA is one of the few states I have never been to. I am relocating to the area around Harrisburg.

My wife and children will be remaining in Idaho until the end of next school year, we are planning on buying a home when they move out there to be with me in 2010. It will be difficult for me being away from my kids, especially since I have been a stay at home dad for the majority of the past year.

Does anyone have any info they can share with me about the area (Harrisburg)?

[Lathum]

Good luck.

I used to live about an hour east of there, I don't know much about Harrisburgh itself but what kind of stuff are you into?

Plus this is a good thing, now you can root for The Steelers, Eagles, Pirates, Phillies, Flyers, Penguins, 76ers, and Penn state !

[Pumpy Tudors]

I can't give you much information, but I can tell you that you'll only be a few minutes away from Hershey. Your kids will probably love that.

[RomaGoth]

Good luck.

I used to live about an hour east of there, I don't know much about Harrisburgh itself but what kind of stuff are you into?

Plus this is a good thing, now you can root for The Steelers, Eagles, Pirates, Phillies, Flyers, Penguins, 76ers, and Penn state !

I am a big sports guy. I especially like the Steelers and Penguins, but can't stand Philly teams. Red Wings are my favorite hockey team though, so it will be another great Cup Finals for me...

Are there any good things to do with kids in the area?

[RomaGoth]

I can't give you much information, but I can tell you that you'll only be a few minutes away from Hershey. Your kids will probably love that.

Isn't that where Hershey chocolate is based?

[Lathum]

Isn't that where Hershey chocolate is based?

yes, and there is a nice amusement park there.

There is also some decent areas to ski, especially for kids. You will be pretty close to the Poconos

[Galaxy]

Lancaster isn't too far away.

[Lathum]

Lancaster isn't too far away.

lol.

I am sure his kids will love no electricity and cows by the mile.

I can honestly say Lancaster is the most boring place in America I have ever been.

[RomaGoth]

lol.

I am sure his kids will love no electricity and cows by the mile.

I can honestly say Lancaster is the most boring place in America I have ever been.

Isn't that Amish country?

[terpkristin]

Isn't that Amish country?

Lancaster is indeed Amish Country.

There's also outlet shopping there. And some of the best Kettle Korn I've had.

And one of the best farmer's market-type things I've been to.

/tk

[Comey]

I'm from Harrisburg (born and raised there, until I moved to Hartford two years ago, with a small layoff in Los Angeles). Toss me a PM with any questions you have (I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment to be as specific as I'd like to be), or email me at [email protected] .

To sum up, Harrisburg is a small city that is surrounded by excellent large cities (90 minutes from Philly, Baltimore, and State College, 3.5 hours from Pittsburgh, two hours from DC, 2.5 hours from NYC). It's grown leaps and bounds in the past 10-15 years, but in many ways, it's like any other city nowadays.

Let me know where exactly you're moving, and I'll see what I can do as far as giving you ideas on food, places to hang out, kids places, etc.

[JediKooter]

Congrats on the new job. Can't really add anything to Harrisburg, but, I do know what it's like to be away from the family because of work.

[Marc Vaughan]

lol.
I am sure his kids will love no electricity and cows by the mile.
I can honestly say Lancaster is the most boring place in America I have ever been.

Sounds like heaven to me.

[Chubby]

good luck if you're a beer drinker...

[Comey]

good luck if you're a beer drinker...

?

[Comey]

dola--

If he is a beer drinker, Yuengling is made in nearby Pottsville. It is America's oldest brewery, and it's some great stuff (I'm not a beer drinker, but I do like Yuengling). Also, Appalachian Brewing Company (ABC) is a restaurant/in-house brewery that makes a lot of beers. They're down on Cameron Street and on the West Shore on Carlisle Pike.

[Galaxy]

lol.

I am sure his kids will love no electricity and cows by the mile.

I can honestly say Lancaster is the most boring place in America I have ever been.

My ability to tell subtle jokes online is weak. :)

[Lorena]

Grats Romagoth!

[stevew]

Might want to do a touch of research before finally settling in. Don't want to get stuck somewhere where the Ravens are your CBS team.

[Comey]

Unfortunately, that is most of the HBG area (when the two teams conflict). It was BS when it happened, and it's BS now.

[DeToxRox]

I can't give you much information, but I can tell you that you'll only be a few minutes away from Hershey. Your kids will probably love that.

Your bedroom? Gross.

[stevew]

Yup. Might be basically stick to direct and the nfl package. I'm similarly screwed cause of the youngstown locals and the brown stains.

[terpkristin]

dola--

If he is a beer drinker, Yuengling is made in nearby Pottsville. It is America's oldest brewery, and it's some great stuff (I'm not a beer drinker, but I do like Yuengling). Also, Appalachian Brewing Company (ABC) is a restaurant/in-house brewery that makes a lot of beers. They're down on Cameron Street and on the West Shore on Carlisle Pike.

There are a lot of good beers from PA.

In addition to Yuengling, Troegs (http://www.troegs.com/index.htm) is from Harrisburg. There's also the Lancaster Brewing Company (http://www.lancasterbrewing.com/).

/tk

[stevew]

Yeah. Gotta plan that shit ahead of time. good luck if you're a beer drinker...

[Comey]

Troegs is made by ABC, if I remember correctly. I may be wrong on that, as I'm not really a drinker.

[RomaGoth]

Might want to do a touch of research before finally settling in. Don't want to get stuck somewhere where the Ravens are your CBS team.

So no Steelers games in Harrisburg? That would really suck...I hate the ravens.

[RomaGoth]

dola--

If he is a beer drinker, Yuengling is made in nearby Pottsville. It is America's oldest brewery, and it's some great stuff (I'm not a beer drinker, but I do like Yuengling). Also, Appalachian Brewing Company (ABC) is a restaurant/in-house brewery that makes a lot of beers. They're down on Cameron Street and on the West Shore on Carlisle Pike.

I enjoy my occasional beer or 12...

[Comey]

So no Steelers games in Harrisburg? That would really suck...I hate the ravens.

No, there are plenty of Steelers games. However, and maybe this is changed (though I doubt it), when the two teams played at the same time, we ended up getting Ravens' games, due to the close proximity (90 minutes from Baltimore, four hours from Pittsburgh). It was ridiculous, considering nobody had a tie to the ridiculous Ravens...but that didn't change anything.

[RomaGoth]

No, there are plenty of Steelers games. However, and maybe this is changed (though I doubt it), when the two teams played at the same time, we ended up getting Ravens' games, due to the close proximity (90 minutes from Baltimore, four hours from Pittsburgh). It was ridiculous, considering nobody had a tie to the ridiculous Ravens...but that didn't change anything.

That is unfortunate. Guess I won't be watching much NFL on tv then...:banghead:

[Comey]

The NFL Network and Comcast settled their dispute, from what I've read. So NFL Network should be back on Comcast this summer. That should give you some option. ; )

[MrDNA]

PA Beers are great - Troeggs and Stoudts are both in the Harrisburg area - but PA beer laws are INSANE. Hence the Good Luck.

[Chubby]

?

When I moved to State College for a year from NY it took me forever to figure out how to buy beer with having to buy them at the distributorships or at a bar (6 packs only!). I kept looking in grocery stores for their beer section...

[Comey]

Okay. That's the not-drinking part of me that caused me not to get that.

[stevew]

No, there are plenty of Steelers games. However, and maybe this is changed (though I doubt it), when the two teams played at the same time, we ended up getting Ravens' games, due to the close proximity (90 minutes from Baltimore, four hours from Pittsburgh). It was ridiculous, considering nobody had a tie to the ridiculous Ravens...but that didn't change anything.

yep, very very stupid.

[RomaGoth]

When I moved to State College for a year from NY it took me forever to figure out how to buy beer with having to buy them at the distributorships or at a bar (6 packs only!). I kept looking in grocery stores for their beer section...

Ok, so let me get this straight:

You can not buy beer at a grocery store in PA? In addition, you can only buy a 6 pack?

[Lathum]

Ok, so let me get this straight:

You can not buy beer at a grocery store in PA? In addition, you can only buy a 6 pack?

You cant get it at a grocery store, gas station, etc...

You either have to get a case at a distributor or find a bar that sells 6 packs

[DaddyTorgo]

that's crazy

[RomaGoth]

You cant get it at a grocery store, gas station, etc...

You either have to get a case at a distributor or find a bar that sells 6 packs

What about liquor and wine? Also, why the hell do they have it set up this way?

[Lathum]

What about liquor and wine? Also, why the hell do they have it set up this way?

Liquor and wine are sold at a seperate state run store. And unless the laws have changed better get it during the week because they are closed on Sundays.

[RomaGoth]

Liquor and wine are sold at a seperate state run store. And unless the laws have changed better get it during the week because they are closed on Sundays.

That sounds like here in Idaho. Only here, you can buy beer at grocery stores/gas stations/etc., including Sundays.

[Comey]

They're open on Sundays now, I believe. But you do have to go to a distributor for beer, yes.

[RomaGoth]

Well, I left yesterday morning and am now staying the night in Iowa before stopping by my parents house for a couple of days in Michigan.

[RomaGoth]

Been here since Saturday night. I am liking it so far, and the new job kicks ass. However, I can definitely feel the humidity here compared to Idaho.

Anyone know of some good places to look for homes in central PA? I have discovered that the East Shore is more expensive and the property taxes are outrageous.

[Comey]

The West Shore has more going for it. Try New Cumberland or Mechanicsburg.

Enola has some cheapish homes, but I'm not a fan of the area.

Hampden Township is arguably the fastest-growing area (has been for about 15 years now...just keeps going). And Camp Hill has the best public school district in the area, so that may be a good place, too.

[RomaGoth]

The West Shore has more going for it. Try New Cumberland or Mechanicsburg.

Enola has some cheapish homes, but I'm not a fan of the area.

Hampden Township is arguably the fastest-growing area (has been for about 15 years now...just keeps going). And Camp Hill has the best public school district in the area, so that may be a good place, too.

Where is Hampden Township?

[Comey]

Hampden Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampden_Township,_Pennsylvania)

Essentially, it's directly west of Camp Hill. It's where my dad's house is. It has a Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg mailing address...the main roads are Carlisle Pike and Trindle Road.