Hey everyone, I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 50,092, Harrisburg is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 27.5%, which is higher than I expected. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
22 upvotes
10 Replies
Joshua M.
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Isla
I'm a chef and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
portland_lydia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Alice Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Sophia Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Jeremiah Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 10 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are average. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Roman Thomas
lol so true
14 upvotes
Piper
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's hit or miss.
13 upvotes
Charlotte Murphy
Moved here from LA about 1 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
la_natalie
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much affordable but now it's improving.
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