West Hanover blends a rural atmosphere with suburban amenities
West Hanover offers residents the perfect blend of suburban amenities and a rural atmosphere. You can find larger lots and homes at every price point, all of which are in the highly rated Central Dauphin School District. While there are plenty of local parks and restaurants to take advantage of, West Hanover’s central location means Harrisburg and Hershey amenities are a short drive away. In less than 20 minutes, you can be riding roller coasters and eating chocolate at Hersheypark.
More land is available for higher prices than Harrisburg
Like much of Central Pennsylvania, there is a wide variety in West Hanover’s housing market. You can find split-level and ranch-style homes from the mid-20th century next to a small community of New Traditional builds. There are also townhouses and manufactured homes.
Prices also vary greatly, and trend higher than in Harrisburg. “You might pay a little bit more, but your chances of finding land are better,” says Nate Smarsh, Realtor with the Fred Lynn Team at Iron Valley Real Estate of Central PA, who has over five years of experience in the area. Nearly half of the properties are half an acre or more. Older homes generally cost between the low $200,000s and low $400,000s, while new construction can range from the low $400,000s to the mid-$600,000s. Some larger homes or multiacre properties can sell for over $1 million. Townhouses typically cost between the mid-$200,000s and the low $400,000s, and manufactured homes can range from under $100,000 to the low $200,000s.
The highly rated Central Dauphin School District is a draw
West Hanover is part of the highly rated Central Dauphin School District. “That’s why a lot of people move here,” says Realtor and resident Fred Lynn, who leads the Fred Lynn Team. The district partners with Dauphin County Technical School to offer career and technical education programs and dual-enrollment courses through Harrisburg Area Community College.
Residents can get to Hershey or Harrisburg in about 20 minutes
Another major draw is West Hanover’s central location. “Anything in Hershey or Harrisburg is in a 10- to 15-mile radius,” says Realtor Taylor Henry, who has worked in the area since 2017. Interstate 81 goes through the township, but otherwise Lynn says, “It’s mostly what I call backroads.” The closest hospital is the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, about 10 miles away.
Locals spend time at community parks and Hersheypark
“West Hanover has a great parks system,” Lynn says. The township offers a range of activities and parks, including:
- A playground and multipurpose field at Fairville Park
- Zumba classes and rentable rooms at the West Hanover Community Center
- Baseball diamonds at Houck Memorial Park
- Hiking and fishing at the nearby Memorial Lake State Park
- Public golf courses like the one at Manada Golf Club
Residents make the drive to Hersheypark when they want a little more of a thrill. However, the park is more than rollercoasters and chocolate. You can also head to The Boardwalk, a water park, and ZooAmerica, which highlights animals native to North America.
You can try local restaurants or visit nearby cities
There are a handful of local restaurants to try in and around West Hanover, including:
- The DogHouse, which regularly has live music
- Skyline Family Restaurant, known for its comfort food
- Jojo’s On 22, which serves authentic Italian food in casual and high-end settings
There are more options in the surrounding cities, where you’ll also find big-box stores like Walmart. The closest grocery store is Giant, but residents can pick up essentials at Dollar General.
