Offering the cultural attractions of a big city and the down-home charm of a small town, York is an an extraordinary place to live, work, and play. Not many cities of York’s size (just over 40,000 residents living within 5.3 square miles) can boast of two downtown farmers’ markets, 24 parks, a premiere performing arts center that is undergoing a $15 million reconstruction, an elegant hotel designated as a National Trust Historic Hotel of America, a liberal arts college and university, a top-flight downtown library, six museums and a Visitors’ Center, a Symphony Orchestra, downtown access to a 42-mile nature and jogging trail, 34 outdoor murals and mini-murals, a Junior League “Exchange City,” and a Poet Laureate! 

Moreover, boasting over 10,000 trees, the City of York has been honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for 18 consecutive years as “Tree City, U.S.A.” And as much as we love our trees, we love our recreation. The City has 20 baseball and softball diamonds and an ice rink, and 21 golf courses are within a 30-minute drive of York. In fact, York County is second only to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in terms of golf courses per capita. 

Oh, and we forgot to mention our over 30 styles of remarkable architecture spanning the entire history of our nation and including some of the most spacious and beautiful red-brick, Victorian homes that you will ever see. 

All of these quality of life attractions are concentrated in one small, south-central Pennsylvania City that is within 25 miles of Gettysburg, 45 miles of Baltimore, and 100 miles of Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. 

But that’s not all. While consistently ranked #1 in quality of life categories amongst regional cities, York also is very affordable. Based on 2001 statistics, in comparison to Harrisburg and Lancaster, as well as Maryland’s two largest cities -- Baltimore and Frederick, the City of York has the lowest cost of living, the lowest average home purchase cost, the lowest crime rate, the shortest commute time, and the lowest amount of air pollution. As the statistics demonstrate, we value our high quality of life without paying a lot for our happiness. 

We also are committed to making our quality of life even better. For example, plans are in the works to dramatically enhance our museum and educational offerings. The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation – our nation’s first working Constitution – here in 1777, making York our nation’s first capital. Prior to the Civil War, York was an important station on the Underground Railroad. In fact, the only standing house in Pennsylvania that hid freedom seekers and was owned by an African-American sits in the heart of York. Further, York’s manufacturing economy fueled the Industrial Revolution. In short, having played significant and unique roles in the American Revolution, the Civil War – “the second American Revolution,” and the Industrial Revolution, York is a rare “Three Revolution Village.” We will create compelling exhibits and presentations to tell all stages of our fascinating history. 

In addition to heritage tourism offerings, we also want to enhance and expand recreational opportunities. One such existing recreational opportunity is the Heritage Rail Trail, which winds 22 miles from Historic Downtown York to the Borough of New Freedom, Pennsylvania at the Mason Dixon Line. The trail then connects with the Maryland Northern Central Railroad Trail and extends 20 miles south to Ashland, Maryland. Nearly 300,000 joggers, hikers, and bicyclists enjoy the Heritage Rail Trail each year. 

Below the Rail Trail winds the Codorus Creek – a tributary of the Susquehanna River that runs through the City for several miles. The York Foundation is administering the $2 million Codorus Fund to clean the water of the Codorus and to make it a recreational attraction. We envision kayakers, canoers, and waterboat paddlers enjoying fascinating views of the City from their floating views, while others stroll, jog, and ponder near the Codorus’ banks, covered with flora and fauna.

In the years to come, we will be connecting streetscaping enhancements, erecting antique-styled lights that emit bright, white light, and adding colorful, historical-themed murals throughout the downtown, thereby improving the aesthetics, charm, and walkability of the City. In conjunction with these improvements, we also are working on cultivating niche districts in downtown York – an Arts District, Antiques District, and Heritage Tourism District – to expand on recreational, commercial, and educational opportunities for our residents, to bolster neighborhood and civic pride, and to stimulate more economic activity. 

We invite you to contact us and to explore our York – a friendly, affordable, and thriving urban village. For more information on owning a home in York, contact Daniel Robinson, Acting Director of Community Development, at drobinso@yorkcity.org or at 849-2292. 


For a list of York City Housing Programs click here.

For information about the Housing Program Coordinator and how to reach her click here.

For a list of the Bureau of Housing Services Mission Statement click here.

For a list of Housing Program Services staff click here.