Are you thinking about moving to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and want somebody to give you the bottom line of what it’s really like? In this episode of Homemade PA, I’m going to give you the pros and cons of living right here in Harrisburg. We’ll look at everything from the community to the weather so you know exactly what to expect.
Lots To Do In Harrisburg PA
Harrisburg is home to hundreds of local and chain restaurants. There are large shopping malls and small local businesses to shop at.
There are a variety of outdoor recreation including nearby state parks, local parks, boating and kayaking in the Susquehanna River. The Harrisburg Green belt is always a great place to run, walk, or bike. This is a 20 mile paved trail the circles the city.
There are also seasonal festivities like a summer Senators game, Harrisburg’s minor league baseball team! Over Memorial Day weekend there is Art Fest and Kipona Fest over Labor Day weekend!
Great Location
Harrisburg is located in the center of the state which makes traveling a super easy. You are near two major interstates I-81 and I-83, and are also located near entrances to the PA Turnpike.
This makes day trips a breeze with Pittsburgh just a 3 1/2-hour drive, Philadelphia a 2 hour drive, Baltimore a 2 hour Drive, and DC a 2 ½ hour drive.
If you’re not a fan of driving, that’s okay too! Harrisburg is also home to an Amtrack train station where you can access each of these cities and other major cities like New York by train.
The Perfect Size
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is the perfect size! It’s a small city so it’s not overwhelming to navigate but it’s much bigger than a small town so there is still a lot to do. You still get the city feel, of having everything within walking distance but without overcrowded streets.
Weather Affects the City
Harrisburg has very cold winters with the average temperature in January being just 29°F with similar temperatures in December and February. Meanwhile in the spring, certain parts of the city are at risk of flooding as the city sits directly along the Susquehanna River.
Though Harrisburg has these seasonal concerns, one of the more positive things about this is that Harrisburg does experience all four seasons which helps contribute to the wide variety of activities and festivities in the city.
Road Work and Repairs
Harrisburg was founded in 1791 and is a city with a lot of history so, many of the roads and buildings are under repair and construction. Though this can be annoying, it is only temporary and speaks to the vitality of the city.
Traffic through the city is often moderate with the main trouble areas being the bridges over the Susquehanna. When there are accidents on any of the bridges, traffic can get pretty backed up. There are only four bridges that can get you across the Susquehanna and into the city and two of these bridges belong to major highways.
The Crime Rate
Like any city, you do have to worry about crime. Harrisburg’s crime rate is relatively high but the city has been working to improve public safety by introducing a number of initiatives with the goal of decreasing crime.
Some areas are better than others but the good news is, Harrisburg’s crime rate is much lower than other majors cities accross the United States.
Enjoy Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
I hope this gave you some insight into the pros and cons of living in Harrisburg. We help people move and relocate into Harrisburg every day, and we would love to help you too. So if you have any questions about the area, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.
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