Just one exit before the city of York on Interstate 83, Spry is a quiet community conveniently located close to the highway. Decidedly suburban, Spry has neither the hustle-and-bustle of the city nor the small-town vibes of some outer York towns. Without a centralized town center, this neighborhood is a collection of subdivisions bookended by shopping centers housing essential businesses. It also offers spacious homes, one of the area’s standout parks and excellent Dallastown Area Schools. With just a 15-minute commute into York to boot, Spry is ideal for those who want to be close — but not too close — to the city. Spry’s housing tracts are fairly spread out, with acre-rich farm parcels separating heavily wooded subdivisions. Throughout the neighborhood, split-levels and ranch-style homes — including two-story raised ranches — sit on spacious lots with neat front lawns. Most were built between the 1950s and the ‘70s, with more modern Colonial-inspired builds on the outskirts and even older historic houses along South Queen Street. While the median price for the area is $295,000, some fixer-uppers can sell for around $150,000, whereas a contemporary five-bedroom home can be priced above $450,000. The Dallastown Area School District is another draw for homebuyers. York Township Elementary students rate far above the state average on math and English tests and has an average class size of 19, earning it an overall A-minus rating from Niche. After the third grade, students move up to Dallastown Area Intermediate through the sixth grade and to Dallastown Area Middle through the eighth grade. Both schools score a B-plus. Dallastown Area High, which houses ninth through twelfth graders, receives an A-minus. Residents who live near South Queen Street can walk to York Township Park, considered the centerpiece of York Township’s nine recreational facilities. Nicole Scarborough, a local Realtor with Inch & Co. Real Estate, says she often highlights the park when selling homes in the area, as its myriad athletic fields, multiple playgrounds and forested walking trails attract residents and visitors from all over for youth sports tournaments or fun family outings. “It’s a very wholesome area,” she says of Spry. “The park’s got a nice, paved walking path that goes through the woods, and there’s a bridge that crosses a creek. Sometimes you’ll see people there with their kids and a bucket to catch minnows in the water.” The Kid’s Kingdom Playground is a popular destination for children as the largest playground in York Township, with room to climb, swing and slide. Shopping corridors are located at either end of the neighborhood, at Olde Tollgate Village shopping center to the south and near the entrance to Interstate 83 to the north, with more options a short drive away in York. Up north, residents can grab groceries at Giant and catch the latest blockbuster at South York Cinemas 4. There are also a handful of chain restaurants off the highway, like the regional Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar, beloved by locals as the place to go on game day. Even Philadelphia Eagles fans are welcome, though the Pittsburgh-bred restaurant is famously part of Steelers Country. Local restaurants can be found at Olde Tollgate Village, with downhome breakfast and lunch favorites at Tapenade Bistro or everything from sushi to southern comforts at Bones-n-Shells. For dessert, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has been drawing long lines for its cones and shakes since 1945. Right along Interstate 83, getting around the greater York area is a breeze for Spry residents. Downtown York is less than 15 minutes north by car, with the WellSpan York Hospital along the way. RabbitTransit buses also travel to downtown York, with stops along South Queen Street. However, York isn’t the only city that locals have easy access to. According to Scarborough, Spry is also a viable option for those who regularly travel to Baltimore or New York, as both cities are less than two hours away. For farther getaways, Harrisburg International Airport is roughly a 40-minute drive north. Learn more on the Spry city guide.