Though Lancaster, Pennsylvania is only the eighth largest city in the state, there are many reasons why people are drawn to the city. For someone looking to make a home for themselves in a mid-sized city within reasonable driving distance to some of America's largest urban centers, Lancaster could be ideal. It is a great combination of modern amenities and old time charm, with a rich history and a large variety of education and business possibilities. The cost of living for Lancaster is only 88.1 to the national average of 100, making it an ideal community for those just starting out on their own.

Lancaster is a young city in terms of its population. The median age is only 30.4, where the rest of the state sits at 38 years. This may be due to the large number of post secondary institutions within the city. There are ten different colleges and universities locally, including Franklin & Marshall College, Consolidated School of Business, Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences and Millersville University of Pennsylvania. There are also two religion focused institutions in Lancaster Theological Seminary and Lancaster Bible College.

Many people also know this community for its retail presence. Folks travel from across South Central Pennsylvania to shop at the area's largest mall, Park City Center. This complex has over 140 stores and is anchored by JCPenney, Sears, Boscov's and The Bon-Ton. For those looking for a more unique shopping experience, there is Central Market. This is the oldest continuously operating farmer's market in all of America. There are several Amish goods being sold there that cannot be found at any other location. It is also a large site for acquiring green and organic products, and its towers are listed with the National Register of Historical Places.

This is not the only historical landmark in town. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was one of the stops along the Underground Railroad and has been around since 1879. The Fulton Opera House is the longest continually running theater in the country and Hamilton Watch Company produced the first battery-operated watch in the world in 1957.

Lancaster is currently doing their best to improve the city's unused business and commercial parks. There are efforts currently in place to turn them into sports grounds for Franklin & Marshall College and more useful industrial zones. For those looking for a city that is set for improvement but still values the past, Lancaster may be their ideal city.