Ivan Gillis

Solid and Stable, Hanover, Pennsylvania Beckons to Retirees in Search of History, a Lower Cost of Living and Small Town Charm

Cost of Living:  Below the National Average

In the early 1700s, German immigrants, seeking escape from religious persecution, came to the fertile farming region known as the Pigeon Hills and founded the town of Hanover, Pennsylvania (population 15,000).  The Civil War came to Hanover on June 30th, 1863 when Union and Confederate clashed in the Battle of Hanover, and President Abraham Lincoln spent time here before traveling to Gettysburg, just 15 miles to the west, to give his Gettysburg Address on November 18, 1863. 

Today, Hanover is a growing community that celebrates its past while appreciating its current prosperity; despite its size, it is known as one of the largest retail centers in Pennsylvania, a fact that should warm the hearts of those retirees who love to shop close to home.  Even with this commercial activity (Hanover is also the site of a dozen or so "snack food" manufacturers), the town retains a small town quaintness, is safe and has an affordable cost of living, making it worth consideration as a retirement spot.  The population is slightly older than the national average, with 23% of the residents age 45 to 64 and 21% age 65 or above, and the median household income is $35,536, below the national average.  This does not seem to be a problem, though, since the cost of living is roughly 10% below the national average.  

Hanover's median home price is $215,000, and there is a good selection of small and medium-sized (1,000 to 1,700 sq. ft.) single family homes for sale for less than $200,000, although expect to pay at least $150,000 for a comfortable residence in a nice, if not affluent, neighborhood.  Hanover has a welcome mix of contemporary and historic architecture, and sturdy, renovated turn-of-the-20th-century houses can be found for less than $200,000.  Spending $350,000 or so will purchase a beautiful new brick, with siding, two-story residence with 3,000 sq. ft., three bedrooms and three baths.  On the outskirts of town, surrounded by rolling pastures, $450,000 will fetch a sprawling farm house with nearly 5,000 sq. ft., four to five bedrooms and three baths.

Apartments are not plentiful, but the average rent for a one-bedroom unit is $600 per month and for a two-bedroom unit it is $700 per month.

When it comes to property taxes, Hanover residents pay, on average, $12.98 per $1,000 of a home's fair market value.  Homeowners age 65 and above earning $35,000 per year or less are entitled to a $250 to $650 tax rebate.  People age 65 and better who lease apartments qualify for a $500 to $600 tax rebate if they earn less than $15,000 per year.   50% of Social Security payments may be excluded when figuring annual income.  Those 65 or above who pay more than 15% of their income in property taxes will also have their property tax rebate increase by an additional 50% if their income is under $30,000.  Social Security, civil service, state/local government and private pensions, retired military pay, IRAs and out-of-state government pensions are all exempt from state income taxes after age 59½.

Hanover celebrates its rich Germanic heritage through a variety of local arts and crafts on display at the popular Hanover Farmers' Market, a weekly event that dates from 1815.  The aroma of fresh baked goods and a generous selection of quality meats, vegetables, fish and fruits make shopping a pleasure.  Hanover has also initiated a civil war living history annual event, and historic buildings, weathered and worn and some showing scars from the 1863 Civil War battle, are sprinkled throughout town.  Although Hanover has grown considerably over the years, it is still a rural kind of place, offering retirees a quiet, secure haven in a hectic world.  

Non-profit, 119-bed Hanover General Hospital is the primary medical facility and serves residents in Hanover and surrounding York and Adams Counties.   Services include cancer care, emergency care, pulmonary care, cardiovascular care and in-patient and outpatient surgeries.  For more information, call 1-800-994-6610.  Baltimore is 40 miles to the southeast and offers a bounty of health care options, including the University of Maryland Medical Center

Hanover Hospital is also a place to find volunteer opportunities.  Positions include direct patient contact as well as behind the scenes work in administrative and support services.  

Hanover is not rich in senior services, but the Littlestown Area Senior Center (717-359-7743) is a place to congregate for some programs and services for the more mature population.  The Hanover YMCA also has programs for those 55 and better.

Hanover's major retail section is called "The Golden Mile," and it is home to dozens of retail and commercial outlets, although there are not a lot of stores with luxury items (Hanover is more of a working-class community).  Some of "The Golden Mile's" retailers are Wal-Mart, Staples, Home Depot, Hollywood Video, Lowe's, chain restaurants of all kinds and a large movie multiplex.

A plus to retirement in Hanover is its crime rate, which is well below the national average.  And Hanover has a public bus system called Rabbit Transit ("Just Hop On"), but stops are limited.  The fare is $1.40 for those under age 65, and for those 65 or better, the ride is free.  There are no taxis in Hanover.

Now to the weather.  It may not be what the average retiree is seeking, but for some, cold winters, warm summers and glorious falls are just the ticket.  Hanover receives 8 to 10 inches of snow per month from December through March, and temperatures average in the 30s.   Summers bring temperatures in the 80s and 90s, and average humidity ranges from 50% to 75%.

We hear that on Friday and Saturday nights teenagers take to cruising along one of Hanover's downtown streets, but most residents do not live downtown and do not seem bothered by the late-night activities.  Overall, Hanover is a low-key place, home to hard-working Pennsylvanians with traditional values, and retirees appreciate the close-knit community, low crime rate and low cost of living, particularly in these uncertain economic times.