TheBurg

14 | THEBURGNEWS.COM | 01.23 F aye and Bradley Gibson loved raising their children in the Harrisburg area before moving to her native northern Pennsylvania. en they moved to Florida, which turned out to be too hot. So, they returned to Harrisburg—Swatara Township, to be precise—and discovered that the region was pretty nice for retirement, too. "We enjoy going out through the neighborhood when the weather's better," said Faye Gibson. "My husband was always a hiker. After he got his knee replacement, he started hiking again. He goes to the Appalachian Trail. He goes hiking everywhere." e Gibsons discovered for themselves what U.S. News & World Report calculated for its readers, ranking Harrisburg as No. 2 in "Best Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2022-23." Second to Lancaster, but still, outranking all those sunny, more traditional retirement spots thanks to its housing affordability, happiness, desirability, retiree taxes, job market and healthcare quality. Although the U.S. News website's photos depict city attractions, it's Harrisburg and its environs that garnered boffo reviews. Riverfront Park, the Appalachian Trail and camping got shout-outs as outdoors highlights. Amish County, Gettysburg and Hersheypark are an easy drive, and "big-city weekend getaways are also there for the taking." Actually, I once heard it said that Harrisburg's civic slogan should be, "Two hours from major cities." It comes up a lot in conversations about Harrisburg's advantages for retirees. "You're so close to New York City and Washington and Philadelphia and Baltimore," said Gibson. "We go to Baltimore just for a day trip." e region hasn't been immune to rising real estate prices, but "we are still a really good value," and its proximity to the cities of the Northeast makes it attractive to retirees, said Ray Davis, Jr., real estate agent with Howard Hanna. "We're convenient to New York, where people who want to go to Broadway can make a day trip out of it," Davis said. "We're convenient to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and all these areas. Particularly in Harrisburg, we're the state capital. 'Location, location, location' really factors into our desirable situation as much as anything else." In some areas, housing is affordable because other enticements are scarce, but Harrisburg pairs affordability with good quality of life, said Davis. Some of his clients, such as the Gibsons, left the region for sunnier climes but then trekked back. "We are a destination for some retirees," Davis said. "ey didn't like Florida, and they realize that life here is pretty good." EVERYTHING & ANYTHING As for happiness and health, the region's museums, galleries and robust theater scene spark engagement and connections. STAY A SPELL A major publication ranked Harrisburg among the best cities for retirement. We wanted to know why. BY M. DIANE MCCORMICK Bradley & Faye Gibson at their home.

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