The Public Opinion Soapbox

Dawn_M_74 · Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 2 Location: southern IL, USA

Hello all,

I'm a new grad RN who has been offered a position at Chambersburg Hospital. I will be traveling up there in a few weeks to see the area & the hospital. I was wanting to know opinions about the area, the hospital, cost of living, etc. I have looked around on line & the area looks beautiful & it has a ton more stuff to see & do than my little town here in southern IL.

Any info that any of you can share would be greatly appreciated. I know that there is no such thing as a utopia & that Chambersburg has its good & bad points but I'd like to know from the locals what the area is like & what it has to offer.

I'm single with no kids & I'll be coming with my mother, 3 dogs, & a cat in tow. What are some of the good & bad areas? I don't have to live in Chambersburg so I'm open to areas around the area.

Thanks!

Dawn

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2663 Location: Chambersburg

Oh boy Dawn, you're in for a treat (and dare I say, you came to the right place!).

But, I think I'm going to wait for 45chel to chime in here and I'll try to be positive... because if there's one thing Chambersburg needs more of, it's young people.

Nicholson Square is a good starting point in my opinion for nice, affordable, and safe housing.

Tele · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 55 Location: Chambersburg

LOL! I was waiting for Coppy to chime in. It might be good to know what some of you interests are. What do you like/dislike about S.Illinois? Chambersburg may not have everything you're looking for, but it is close to a lot of cities/towns that you can enjoy.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3093 Location: Chambersburg

Welcome to the forum!

We're glad you're here!

Come on in, make yourself comfortable and feel free to ask any questions (like you already have Very Happy

)

I was waiting on Coppy, too... I don't what I'm supposed to say.

I guess I would suggest browsing the topics on this site (keeping in mind that we vent here) as well as checking out other Franklin County websites.

More information may be helpful, but I shall sit and think and see what I have to offer.
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paul_milander · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 591 Location: Shippensburg, PA

How far are you willing to drive to work? Do you like gravy on your food?
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Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2663 Location: Chambersburg

It's no mystery that my biggest problem with the area is the food, although that's typically not the biggest concern for people. Then again, we've seen dramatic improvements in selection and availability over the past year and half, and I hope to see the trend continue... I just hope that local, independently-owned restaurants can find success amid ever-expanding chains. The county is a bit backward, but slowly improving. There are folks, as you'll have in formerly-small-towns that wish thing would stay the way there were back in the 1950's.

Night life is lacking considerably, and the area is perhaps among the most geriatric in the state (a state that is, in fact, about as old on average as Florida is).

Then again, Carlisle and Hagerstown offer a bit more a short 30 minute drive away, and a bit farther still, Harrisburg and Frederick have even more. Shopping in town is awful, our mall is perhaps the saddest you've ever seen, but people tend to enjoy a day trip for shopping anyway (there are outlets in Hagerstown).

Whether you're looking to rent or buy, I have to be honest and say that I think prices are bit high considering location. I think this is largely due to the mortgage crisis having very little impact in this county. This can be contributed to most of the homes in the area owned by senior citizens who have lived there for years. I also wish the area was more pet-friendly to renters.

The area is relatively safe; there are good and bad areas as everyone knows. You can get a pretty good feel for that as soon as you visit an area. Shippensburg, about 15 minutes north on I-81, is a small college town that visitors tend to love... and I'm quite partial to as well, so you may want to check out that area too.

Anything else? I'm sure people have enough to chime in with now, but feel free to ask anything specific if you like... what do you like to do for fun? How far are you willing to commute? From all I've heard, Chambersburg Hospital seems like a pretty good place to work.

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: shippensburg

i live in shippensburg and i like it alot. don't get me wrong, cburg's nice, but i like the low-key nature of ship. and it's a bit cheaper cost of living wise. i live in the borough and my utilities are very reasonable. we have the 'basics' and that works for me (giant/weis/kmart/walmart/etc.)....but i'm a pretty low key kind of gal.

Dawn_M_74 · Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 2 Location: southern IL, USA

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: shippensburg

the hospital is very close to the downtown and is the "hub" (dare i say) of the lincoln highway....close to alot of things and easy to get to.

the houses around there are nice...the high school is nearby as well. i'd say the range of years built is....50s - 70s? decently priced.

i live in ship and work in hagerstown md which is about a 40 min drive, but for the area i'll gladly drive it.

Carol2 · Joined: 22 Jul 2008 Posts: 50

I've only been here a little over a year. I like it well enough, I really thought this was the Bible Belt. Seems like there is at least several churches on every block. I like the resturants also, that one downtown, Molly Pitcher's and I really like Mrs Gibble's on Route 11, going to Greencastle. Some of the resturants here like the one going east on Route 30, I think the food although tasty is to fat for me.
One thing I like is almost every place has pickled eggs, and Harvard Beets. Try Dodies way oout on East 30 great ice cream.
I've met some very nice and friendly people here in topix, and some that are a little rude. But the friends I have made in REAL LIFE, are just wonderful, kind and out going.
What I don't like where I live, is going back and forth to town, you must pass about 5 herds of cows. I always say, Ladies, I think you've missed your bath time. Try the Toetom Pole, (mis spelled) little theater they are very good.
But welcome, you'll like it here.
Peace
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Andy G · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:37 am Post subject: Move on in!

I respect everyones' comments about the Chambersburg area. Like every community there are good and not so good things about living here. The younger generations hold the same opinions as most others in smaller communities. They yearn for more excitement and fun things to do. Can't really fault them for that with all the presures of media showing how exciting big city life is. There is quite a large difference in socialization when we are young compared to when we age and mature. Different values exist and change as we age. I grew up in a small town and could not wait to explore what the world had to offer. Lived in and around a number of large metro areas. Oh what fun! But as I aged I came to really start to appreciate the benefit of what my small town had to offer. A little more peace and quiet, the benefit of a slower pace, the lower cost of living, more community. There are chances to improve your qualit of life if you have the determination to do so. I'm sure many won't agree with these things but I know that most will see my point when they also age. So as I age I can see what my seniors value and I try to understand their point of view also. They hold on to the lives they enjoyed and don't want to move. As a community that continues to grow, it has got to be very difficult for local leaders to try and bridge the generation gap and do what is best for all. I've been in a position where I've had to do the same thing and I know how much easier it is to do what is convienient rather than what is right. We are a more conservative community only because younger generations don't use their power of involvement to help influence many decisions that are made. Most politicians know that younger generations are less likely to vote or take part in many decision making processes so generally most of the decisions made are probably contrary to youthful wants. You want change, work for it, demand it, don't just complain about it.
Wow, but I degress! Back to whether this is a good place to move to. Yes! yes! yes!. It is somewhat similar to where you live now but different. There are loads of oppertunity awaiting you. even with all the differences that the area residents hold it is a great area to live. What we don't have locally you don't have to travel too far to experience. Become a part of our town and enjoy all the lovely things that are going to happen. Our town motto is " You'll love it here"(sooner or later).

John Chbg · Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 11

The input comments have been very good about living in Chambersburg and the area. I just wanted to add a little. My wife and I moved here in 1970 and raised our children here. For a young person looking for an area to raise a family and have a good career (as you would at the Chambersburg Hospital - one of the top area employers for salaries and benefits and very nice working conditions). Housing rentals are pretty medium - not pricy and not low. We have a great community theatre, and various musicians come to the area at Wilson College (in the heart of Chambersburg (and just minutes down the road in an extremely nice college town, Shippensburg U). Lots of festivals (food, bingo, etc.). We have a good school system (not perfect as none are but our children did very well during their years there), many other activities for small town America. The other side is: you are just 90 minutes from the city. Washington DC is a very easy commute just down the interstate...which has all that our nation's capital has to offer (I lived there for 10 years) and just 4 hours from New York City (which has it all). So for location...it really is ideal. What has driven our housing market a little high, is that we have a lot of city folk using our area as a bedroom commuity, esp. southern Franklin County. Overall, I think you would like it here. You may be a midwesterner...i'm not sure that you said, but i lived in Indianapolis for awhile doing a stint at the Army Finance Center there...but the mid-west is not for me. Nothing to do there...well not much. sorry about that all you midwesterners who have moved to Chambersburg. It is a beautiful pastoral area...but not for my living. So, I think you would enjoy your life in small town Chambersburg America!! All the best.

Scorn · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 4

I love the area, and can't wait to return. (doing a little camping in the desert). But, i think the biggest thing you should consider about moving to this area is where you will be working. I know most jobs suck, but from the conversations I've had with relatives that work at the hospital, all i hear about is contract negotations...and how Summit is trying to take another benefit from them. I believe last's years negotiations were the worst with alot of cuts to their pensions. Anyway, the only thing i have is advice. Make sure you do your homework on your employer before you change your whole life.

John Chbg · Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 11

My friends and relatives who work at the Chambersburg and Waynesboro hospitals (both Summit Health) are very satisfied with the benefits. They are TERRFIC. In today's economy. employers are cutting benefits across the board as well as abolishing jobs. So it's not the work world that our parents and grandparents grew up in. I would strongly encourage you to consider employment with the Chambersburg Hospital.