Welcome to Lancaster, PA
The City of Lancaster is located in the heart of Amish Country in east central Pennsylvania often referred to as the Susquehanna Valley. The oldest inland city in the United States, it is bordered on the west by the mighty Susquehanna River. Originally settled in 1718, Lancaster’s long and rich agricultural history with the rich heritage of its early settlers makes the Valley a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
From 1799 until 1812, Lancaster was the capitol of Pennsylvania. It currently serves as the county seat. Today, Lancaster is home to more than 50 art galleries situated along brick sidewalks and beautiful colonial architecture. The county is also home to numerous nationally recognized colleges and universities including Franklin & Marshall College, Elizabethtown College, Millersville University, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania Academy of Music, Lancaster Bible University, and the Pennsylvania School of Art & Design.
New and old architecture blend beautifully against the silhouettes of dairy farms, churches, lush golf courses and many historical landmarks. The serene countryside of Lancaster County has made it a perfect setting for many retirement communities while maintaining easy access to many larger cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, and Hershey (chocolate-town USA). The “Jersey” and Delaware beaches are only a short distance away, too. Lancaster’s retirement communities range from quaint villages with independent living facilities to assisted-living and full nursing care.
Our diversity in cultural heritage, job availability, affordable home choices, excellent schools, and entertainment options are punctuated by the fact the Lancaster County as a whole is typically ranked as one of the cleanest, least crime ridden, and economically stable cities in Pennsylvania.
