As part of a modern community nestled in Pennsylvania Dutch country, Lancaster apartments for rent bring together the best of both worlds. Amid the beautiful Pennsylvania landscape is Lancaster's downtown area, which is home to more than 200 shops and galleries, 90 restaurants that feature everything you could ever want, and a variety of downtown Lancaster apartments. The Lancaster Central Market is also located here, which still functions as the oldest public market in the United States and offers fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and Amish-made products. If you relocate here, you will also be able to take advantage of the natural surroundings, including the Susquehanna River and many community parks.
Looking for Lancaster apartments for rent can help you reconnect with history. The city was founded in 1742 and quickly became the capital of the American colonies after the British captured Philadelphia during the American Revolutionary War. Today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Lancaster has blossomed into a city with more than 60,000 residents. There are many unique attractions here, ranging from outdoor ice skating at the Clipper Magazine Stadium and a ride on Santa's Paradise Express, to shopping at the Christkindlemarkt Holiday Market and themed concerts at Elizabethtown College. Chocolate enthusiasts living in Lancaster apartments will also enjoy the fact that Lancaster is located a mere 28 miles from Hershey's Chocolate World, where visitors can make their own candy bars, tour the factory and indulge in chocolate tastings.
Those who seek Lancaster apartments for rent will be happy to note that living here is pretty affordable. With a cost of living index of 104, Lancaster is pretty on-par with the national average. According to Area Vibes, the city's easy access to groceries, shopping, schools and parks earned it a "Very Livable" livability score of 70. Here, you can expect to pay $3.62 for a gallon of gas, $2.19 for a gallon of milk and $1.31 for a loaf of bread.
For low-income residents, Lancaster has many programs that can provide much-needed assistance. The Head Start Program, as well as other community action programs like the Lancaster City Housing Authority, can help with everything from finding affordable apartments in Lancaster to providing a nurturing environment for children.
Lancaster boasts a very diversified economy, and if you relocate here for work, you can contribute to one of the city's impressive industries. According to The Smart Market, the major types of business here include health care, county government, real estate development and financial and educational services. Top employers include Lancaster General Health, Lancaster County, The High Company, Will Valley Retirement Communities and Fulton Financial Corporation.
For those who seek a small-town college experience, Lancaster is a great place to start your college search. Local schools include Lancaster Bible College, Franklin & Marshall College, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Lancaster, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and the Lancaster General School of Nursing and Health Sciences, which provide a range of different opportunities in one higher education landscape.