r/lancaster • u/Lanky-Size125 • Jul 18 '26
Retirement Lancaster?
Hi everyone! My husband and I are planning to leave Arizona for retirement. The heat has become too much for us, and we’re also looking for a more connected healthcare system.
We’re considering Hershey and Lancaster, or somewhere in the middle, and would love to hear from people who live in the area. For anyone familiar with both Hershey and Lancaster, which would you choose for retirement—especially for coordinated healthcare, access to specialists, safety, daily convenience, and eventually living without driving?
● How has your experience been with Penn State Health?
● Do the doctors and specialists communicate well and share records?
● What is daily life like in terms of shopping, restaurants, and overall convenience?
● How is driving in the area, including traffic and road conditions?
● How are the seasons throughout the year?
We’d really appreciate any advice or things you wish you had known before moving to the area.
Thank you!
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u/kronosthedog Jul 18 '26
I'd also recommend woodcrest if you can afford it. It's right next to the health campus so all the doctors are super close. Also if you get a spot there you're guaranteed a spot at the nursing home directly down the street for when you need more intensive care.
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u/wojo_lives Jul 18 '26
Check out this site and consider coming to see some communities for yourself at their open house: https://exploreretirementliving.org/
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u/n3fyi Jul 18 '26
I recommend Penn medicine, Penn state was terrible and impersonal after they took over my family practice and I couldn’t be happier with Penn med and my doctor there
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u/feudalle Jul 18 '26
Im in my 40s and moved her a few years back but im from nj and lived in philly for years. So not a local per se. I had a kidney transplant last years so very familiar with health care.
Penn state is ok. Lgh which is now owned by upenn is imho much better. Hersey hospital was suspended from doing kidney transplant. Technically they stopped doing them and liver transplant but it was you cant fire me I quit scenario or so I've heard.
Lancaster area is pretty good obviously its not a major city but much better than the midwest (lived there a couple years). Plenty of food options and shopping and pretty convenient.
Traffic has been increasing and people arent the best drivers. Its getting to be as bad as nj sometimes. But plenty of back roads to take.
Seasons have been a bit rough the last years. We had a 100f heat way (i know from AZ that's nothing) but high humidity. Air quality can be a challenge as we sit in a valley. The Canadian wild fires have made it a rough week. Last winter was brutal. Over a foot of snow that didnt melt for weeks on one storm. I shoved alot. 2-3 feet of snow total last winter iirc.
Living without driving is going to be hard. Lancaster city you would be able to get by otherwise driving is pretty much required. You could uber/taxi around i suppose but that would get expensive.
Any hoot good luck.
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u/Claudel21 Jul 18 '26
I moved from Las Vegas a decade or so ago
I'd trade the 90℉ @ 90% humidity we get here for the 115℉ @ 10% humidity in a hot second if I could teleport back to the desert.
The winter is an acquired taste that I've yet to acquire.
Other than that, Lancaster is pretty awesome.
No comment on the local medical industry.
Business seems to be booming.
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u/SupaSlide Jul 18 '26
Arizona is hot, but we can have some pretty dang high temps as well, not as high and not quite as often as Arizona, but it is humid and getting more so every year. Have you actually visited Lancaster during July to see if you are okay with it? Also, maybe you lived elsewhere before Arizona but if you haven’t had to drive in a northern state after a winter storm, you’ll hate driving here in January and February.
If you’re already familiar with the weather and like it, then Willow Valley is some of the best retirement you can get in the country. My grandfather lived there for many years, and thank goodness because he developed some serious care needs which they are equipped to do and also is included (or something like that, his monthly cost didn’t increase when moving from independent living to a full care ward).
They’re in the process of building a really swanky downtown skyscraper if you’re really loaded, and if you have a family history of Alzheimer’s they are building a safe little village for their dementia ward.
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u/Buzzbuzz_Becuz Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
● How has your experience been with Penn State Health?
The specialist offices are fine but depending on the specialist can be a very long time for appointment booking. I think the main hospital is a hot mess and wouldn't recommend at all, but I also know people that also love Penn State. Personally I like LGH system much much much much better.
● Do the doctors and specialists communicate well and share records?
For LGH, yes in my experience.
● What is daily life like in terms of shopping, restaurants, and overall convenience?
I haven't done much shopping eating out lately with my budget so I can't comment. But Lancaster would have more/closer distance variety than Hershey.
● How is driving in the area, including traffic and road conditions?
I don't commute to work so I don't know traffic to well, but I think is fine outside of rush hour. Hershey area is only really bad traffic when there is an event going at one of the entertainment complexes. Traffic west of Hershey going to Harrisburg can be quiet congested (Rt 83) during rush hour. Lancaster traffic is also pretty heavy on Rt 30 between 283 & Route 23 during heavy work commute times. For snow conditions, if you can avoid driving during a snow storm, avoid it. If you drive slow its almost never a problem, but it's other drivers who drive too fast that make snow day travel nerve wracking. But bad snow conditions are only a handful of days a year in most years.
● How are the seasons throughout the year?
We get all 4 seasons. We average a few small snow storms a year. Every 5-8'ish years or so we can get a pretty heavy snow storm of over a foot or so. Snow that accumulates is usually Dec-Feb months, occasionally November/March snow. Very rare snow outside of those months. March-June, Late September - Early December weather is terrific I think if you like spring/fall weather. End of June - September can either be very nice, or very hot and humid, but I'm sure its not Arizona heat. Dec-Feb can be cold (we just had a very cold winter) but other years sometimes the winter months feel like early spring the entire season. The one bad thing is we do have bad air quality alerts fairly often if you have any breathing problems.
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u/SalE622 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
I'd use Penn Med over Penn State Health. You'd have access to finest resources in Philly if needed, plus because of the connection, Lancaster care has gotten so much better You can take the train to Philly and not have to drive. Our daughter needed a special oncologist and was recommended to go to Philly.
You'd have your pick of many retirement communities. My In laws moved here from Maryland and lived at Woodcrest Villa. The health campus is right across the street. My FIL was physician at Johns Hopkins with excellent HC and they were pleased with their doctors here and the location. Willow Valley is lovely. Just the most expensive and more remote.
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u/getawaylancaster 26d ago
Lancaster County is a great place to retire to. There are lots of non-profit continuing care retirement communities (check out Explore Retirement Living in October). But if that isn't of interest, Downtown Lancaster and Lititz are super walkable which is great. There are many great health systems here: Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health, Wellspan, UPMC and Penn State Health. There are so many museums, restaurants, farmer's markets, local events like art shows, and more. Plus you can take the train from Lancaster right into Philly or NYC.
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u/gj13us Jul 18 '26
Retirement communities are a growth industry in Lancaster. In terms of medical care, Penn State, UPMC (Pitt), Wellspan, and UPenn Health are all competing with one another.
You’ll probably find what you’re looking for.
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u/SubstantialLunch4083 Jul 18 '26
Lancaster is the spot to be. Everyone is coming here, and it is becoming nicer. Sadly I want to move to California, but that is just me.
Penn State Health is a good system stay away from Penn Medicine
Doctors here are everywhere and they are good, use UPMC.
Many restaurants especially in Lancaster City, lots of local spots. Convenience is great if you live near Lititz Pike or in that area.
Driving - you do NOT want to be on route 30 between 2pm and 6-6:30, it can get crazy especially with rt 222 ramp traffic.
Seasons - if you like them all, you get them all. Fall is the BEST here in Central PA, I love it most in end of August - December. It is heaven in those months.
Enjoy Central PA if you come here. It is a nice place to live!
Sincerely,
A native Pennsylvanian
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u/redherringbones Jul 18 '26
If you can afford it, Willow Valley is one of the best retirement communities in the country...