Rural East Manchester Township sits between York and Harrisburg
Buyers can find rustic country homes on East Manchester Township’s hilly farmland, perched beside the churning Susquehanna River. Though much of the area is rugged and dotted with trees, residents can travel to Manchester and Mount Wolf, two business-rich boroughs in town for food, shopping needs, or homes where neighbors sit closer together. “People here are looking for small town USA,” says Michael Alessandroni, a real estate agent with Inch & Co. Real Estate, and a York County native who worked at Northeastern School District for 28 years. “You could look here for both hobby farming or just the option for a house with plenty of land.”
Locals benefit from proximity to schools and shopping in East Manchester Township.
Sips café is a favorite spot for friends to meet in East Manchester Township.
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Country homes on large lots, townhouses in the smaller boroughs
In East Manchester Township’s expansive rural areas, buyers can find postwar ramblers, Colonial Revivals and New Traditional-style homes built in the last twenty years. These homes often sit on spacious lots along winding, country roads. The condensed boroughs of Manchester and Mount Wolf host colonial-style townhouses and multifamily properties along grid-patterned small-town streets. Home prices range from $175,000 to $550,000, varying by square footage, lot size and age.
Colonial Revival home in East Manchester Township with prices starting at $175,000.
Residents enjoy contemporary amenities in East Manchester Township’s condo communities.
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Several county parks for hiking and birdwatching
In the south end of town lies John Rudy County Park, featuring a playground, picnic pavilions, baseball and soccer fields, and walking trails. It also has a large dog park with split sides to accommodate both larger and smaller dogs in separate areas. Rocky Ridge Park has forested trails, a softball diamond and a hillside overlook where visitors can spot red-tailed hawks. To the northeast is Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, with access to the Appalachian Trail and the Mason-Dixon Trail among 1,000 acres of York County wilderness.
Canine Meadows is a favorite spot for East Manchester Township dog owners.
Cyclists from East Manchester Township ride Rocky Ridge Park’s scenic trail system.
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Local spots in Manchester borough, and York is twenty minutes away
The Manchester Diner is a long-running family restaurant in town. It offers a homestyle breakfast menu and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. Farther down the street is the East Manchester Village Center, a strip mall with a Giant for groceries, a Family Dollar for household necessities and spots like Angelo’s Pizza and Subs for carryout orders. Forge Hill Orchards has been operating in town for 75 years. There, locals can pick their own apples, peaches and cherries, or purchase fruit butters, fresh honey and preserves from the farm store. York is a twenty-minute drive south. Residents can visit York Mall Shopping Center to browse Home Depot, Walmart and Sam’s Club.
The Manchester Diner remains a popular dining spot in East Manchester Township.
Deli & Cheese counter at Giant offers fresh selections in East Manchester Township.
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Holiday lights at Rocky Ridge Park
Over at Rocky Ridge Park, folks around York County visit Christmas Magic - A Festival of Lights at Rocky Ridge Park. The festival runs from Black Friday through December 30th, and guests can stroll on an ADA-accessible half-mile trail and see bright neon Christmas light displays through the woods.
Holiday lights at Rocky Ridge Park draw East Manchester Township families each winter.
Holiday lights at Rocky Ridge County Park are a seasonal tradition for East Manchester Township residents.
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Northeastern Senior High offers career certificates
Northeastern York School District covers East Manchester Township. Students can attend Mount Wolf Elementary School, with an A-minus rating from Niche. Shallow Brook Intermediate gets a B-plus, Northeastern Middle has a B, and Northeastern Senior High School holds an A-minus rating. Northeastern Senior High also offers certificates in computer repair and in Adobe apps like Photoshop and Premiere Pro to bolster students’ resumes before graduation.
Shallow Brook Intermediate School serves East Manchester Township grades 4–6.
Northeastern High School serves older students living in East Manchester Township.
Mt. Wolf Elementary School provides early education for East Manchester Township families.
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Commuters can reach York, Harrisburg or Baltimore
Commuters can take Interstate 83 just 24 miles north to Harrisburg, the state capital, home to major employers in state government and healthcare, and schools like Penn State Harrisburg. York is eight miles south for work, retail or dining options. “It’s a great community for commuters to York and Harrisburg,” says Alessandroni. “And it also draws an influx of people who work in Baltimore as well.” Baltimore is 62 miles south on I-83, which takes slightly over an hour. Harrisburg International Airport is 25 miles north, while the nearest medical center is the Select Specialty Hospital in York, seven miles away.
Harrisburg International Airport offers convenient travel for East Manchester Township residents.
Downtown Harrisburg near East Manchester Township features riverfront views and dining options.
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Important to know
The Brunner Island Steam Electric Station is a power plant in neighboring York Haven that runs on coal and natural gas. Residents should be advised that the plant is currently facing a lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity. The lawsuit alleges that toxic coal ash in one of the station’s storage basins could be polluting the groundwater, and that the plant has not abided by EPA regulations for ensuring safe quality of groundwater to mitigate public health concerns. The lawsuit is ongoing as of April 2025.
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
Photography Contributed By
Stewart Taveras
Video By
Grace Kim
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Felix Desangles,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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