A York County city of commercial districts, quality schools and commuters
East York’s roots trace back to the second industrial revolution which swept the country at the turn of the 20th century. In 1903, developer John H. Longstreet purchased a large swath of land in Springettsbury Township in faith that the eastern portion of York County would blossom into an industrial hive attracting factory workers and tradespeople. Even now, East York teems with commercial life from local businesses to the two-story York Galleria, the largest enclosed mall in the county.
Today, one of the area’s biggest draws is its location near the crossroads of major highways such as Interstate 83 and U.S. Route 30. “I tell folks who are looking to move here that it’s a hub in the Atlantic,” says Adam McCallister, Realtor with eXp and long-time York County resident. “In just a few hours you can be in Baltimore, Philadelphia and even New York City.”
In particular, East York has attracted a lot of Marylanders seeking lower priced homes still in proximity to the Baltimore area. But when they drop anchor in East York, they find the city has so much more to offer, such as the highly regarded York Suburban School District.
“Head-to-head, our schools come up higher in ranking than the ones across the border in Maryland,” McCallister says. “So, people initially come here for the lower cost of living but end up ingratiating themselves to the community, because there’s so much more than egg prices being a buck cheaper.”
East York is a sought-after suburb that teems with commercial life.
The York Galleria in East York has over 70 shops for residents to explore.
RabbitTransit bus stops are found along Market Street in East York.
Big box stores such as Sam's Club can be found throughout East York.
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Low prices keep East York’s market competitive
Architectural styles are relatively similar across the city. Single-family homes include Tudor Revival cottages, ranch-style builds and Cape Cods. Townhouses are closer to East Market Street along with American Four Squares refitted into attached homes. Many properties close to East Market Street are on the East York Historic District and strictly maintained. The median home price sits around $275,000, which is about $135,000 below the national median. Homes usually run from $120,000 to $350,000. This makes for a highly competitive market where homes sell in an average of two weeks.
“Prices are low here because of a pond ripple effect,” McCallister says. “The most major metro area that York gets lumped in with is Washington D.C. If you a throw a stone in the middle of the water, and that stone is D.C., it ripples out. D.C. has the high-priced real estate. By the time you cross into Pennsylvania, the ripple effects aren’t nearly as massive.”
Modern day architecture sits next to colonial revivals in East York.
Choose a single family rancher style home with private driveway parking in East York.
3 story townhomes in East York come with private parking on the bottom floor.
East York homes generally reside on larger lots of land, offering a sense of privacy.
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Locals can commute to Philadelphia and Baltimore
Interstate 83 bisects the city, rolling 26 miles north to Harrisburg and 54 miles south to Baltimore, Maryland. Washington D.C. is 40 more miles south. Via U.S. Route 30, Lancaster is approximately a 24-mile drive east. From there, commuters can take the Amtrak to Philadelphia, otherwise 100 miles by car, and other northeastern destinations. Rabbit Transit bus lines crisscross York and East York, with route 16 running to nearby Hanover.
American Airlines, Delta and a few other airlines fly out of Harrisburg International Airport, but for a greater selection, travelers can drive 65 miles south to Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
Top-notch schooling at the York Suburban School District
East York is served by the York Suburban School District. Niche awards the school district an overall A-minus and ranks it as the best in York County. In 2022, the National Association of Music Merchants gave the A-minus-rated York Suburban High School a “Best Communities for Music Education Award.”
Located less than a mile west of the city, York College of Pennsylvania offers more than 70 undergraduate and 20 graduate programs. Around 4,000 students attend the school.
Children can start their education at East York Elementary School.
Violet Hill kids move on from elementary school towards York Suburban Middle School.
York Suburban High School serves about 875 students in grades 9-12.
York College of Pennsylvania is located within the Grantley neighborhood.
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Shopping at the York Galleria Mall and the New Eastern Market
East York is undoubtedly one of the most retail-oriented areas in York County, with the two-story York Galleria mall sitting on the community’s north side. On top of restaurants and boutiques, the center is the location of Hollywood Casino York. Serving as the city’s main thoroughfare, East York is mostly populated with shopping plazas and fast-food chains, but a few local businesses are peppered in. Downtown York to the west has a much greater concentration of family-run businesses.
Fresh fruits, vegetables and handmade goods are always in order at the New Eastern Market. Voted Best of York County for produce by readers of the York Daily Record in 2020, this farmers market has kept East York residents stocked up on staples for over 150 years.
Some of East York’s biggest employers include Harley-Davidson and the York Hospital, which is located to the community’s west.
Hollywood Casino offers more than 500 slot machines and over 24 table games in East York.
Mexitaly Brick oven Brewhouse in East York specializes in brick-oven pizzas and huge burritos.
New Eastern Market in East York has numerous vendors, including local butchers.
Some of East York’s biggest employers include the Harley-Davidson factory.
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Rocky Ridge Park offers 750 acres of trails and activities
East York has a few pocket green spaces like Kingston Park and Fayfield Park, which typically feature a playground and an open field. Athletes love the York Memorial Park Complex near the south side of East York. The site is loaded with baseball diamonds and tennis courts and is the location of the Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark, which is outfitted with quarter pipes, flat rails, a full pipe and other features. The York Ice Arena on the park’s grounds invites visitors to enjoy public skating or take lessons.
Just across U.S. Route 30, Springetts Castle is one of Springettsbury Park’s biggest attractions, an enclosed playground with a zipline, climbing walls for kids and a cushioned floor. Also on the premises are racket ball courts, baseball diamonds and a roller hockey rink. During the summer, the park’s amphitheater is used for concerts.
The forested, 750-acre Rocky Ridge Park to the north is a massive draw for birdwatching and hunting, also offering 12 miles of hiking and biking trails which lead to scenic overlooks. During the winter, the park hosts the Festival of Lights, where walking trails are decked out with ornamental lights.
Many homes in East York are a short walk from neighborhood parks like Kingston Park.
The 750-acre Rocky Ridge Park near East York offers 12 miles of hiking and biking trails.
The skatepark at York Memorial Park is one of the best in central Pennsylvania.
At Springettsburg Township Park, mothers take their children to the exciting playground.
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The York State Fair is “America’s First Fair”
Established in 1765, the York State Fair is one of the oldest fairs in the country – predating the country, in fact. Called “America’s First Fair” by locals, the festivity’s highlights include livestock exhibitions, amusement rides, a fleet of vendors and musical performances. Past acts have included REO Speedwagon, Nelly and Five Finger Death Punch.
Crime and climate in East York
According to the FBI, violent crime rates in Springettsbury Township roughly where East York is located rose 80% between 2023 and 2019. However, it should be noted rates are still below Pennsylvania’s average and substantially below the national average. Between the same period, property crime rates increased 50%. Nonetheless, rates remain roughly on par with state and national averages.
York experiences four seasons. Summers are humid and winters are cold and snowy.
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