Been meaning to ask this. I work in engineering and Household incomes average around $47,783 in Harrisburg. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
5 upvotes
23 Replies
Everett A.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Kayden R.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Katherine M.
hard disagree but ok
32 upvotes
Owen T.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Waylon H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Brooklyn Sanders
I'm a social worker and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Carson C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Zoey Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 6 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are excellent. 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. Limited shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Sarah Sanchez
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
25 upvotes
Mia L.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Uptown area are underrated. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Mason
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. East schools are underrated. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Noah James
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
20 upvotes
Levi Thomas
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Korean places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
20 upvotes
Elizabeth Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Katherine Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 51, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Pine Hills and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
16 upvotes
hannah_runner
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Boston it's underrated.
12 upvotes
Luke C.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
8 upvotes
Lucy W.
this is the way
8 upvotes
Mason M.
I work in retail here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is improving. Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Aubrey Adams
This.
6 upvotes
Greyson S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
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