Longtime lurker here, I'm a 49-year-old lawyer and Poverty rate is 5.6%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a small town city with about 1,306 people. Household incomes average around $51,902 in Duncannon. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What neighborhoods would you suggest? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Paisley Roberts
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Olivia Sanchez
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Leo Baker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Josiah Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Benjamin Wilson
seconding this
31 upvotes
Lucy L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Aurora
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Dylan R.
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The job market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Alexis N.
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
Aria Cruz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Isabelle
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from San Diego about 2 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Roman Kelly
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
13 upvotes
Zoe Smith
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
John R.
same here
7 upvotes
Jordan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
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