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Parker living

Raising a family in Steelton -thoughts?

Anyone else feel this way? You can expect to pay around $1,270 for rent here. With a population of 6,267, Steelton is a small town. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thoughts? Cheers. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
9 upvotes

5 Replies

Henry Myers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value school system, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
34 upvotes
Adrian M.
+1
21 upvotes
Sofia Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.

People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.

Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Dylan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Sunset for 4 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Sunset schools are pretty good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Hannah Hill
seconding this
8 upvotes
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