For people who love to eat, Lancaster County has long been a destination. World famous among visitors to the area for endless buffets and delicious PA Dutch specialties and desserts, there weren’t always many options available for “fancy” dining, as “plain” food was the profitable tourist draw. However, Lancaster City and its surrounding towns have recently been building a serious restaurant scene to rival much larger metropolitan regions.

This restaurant revolution has been somewhat quiet, and unless you’re a local, you may not have realized just how many great new eateries have opened in the last decade. Here at the end of the 2010s, you can now find everything from authentic tacos and Thai cuisine to wine bars and Southern-style barbeque. And while the scene has expanded most rapidly in downtown Lancaster (a robust 79% growth trend since 2008), every section of Lancaster County has welcomed new dining establishments.

So, what are some of your best bets that don’t involve all-you-can-eat mashed potatoes and buttered noodles? Continue reading Lancaster County’s Restaurant Scene: So Much More than Smorgasbords! →

They say there’s no place like home for the holidays, and if you’re coming home to Lancaster County this season, you’ll find an amazing array of holiday-themed attractions and events to help you catch that holly jolly spirit. From light displays to festive train excursions and living history experiences, you’re bound to find some holiday fun to delight you and your family!

Read on for some of the best local attractions and holiday happenings throughout Lancaster County and the surrounding region. There are also tons of one-time events like shopping bazaars and food fairs taking place throughout the month of December, but we’re highlighting ongoing opportunities for seasonal excitement so you can plan ahead. Continue reading Holiday Attractions in Lancaster and Beyond →

Lancaster County and the central City of Lancaster it surrounds are places like no other.

A unique history that includes a (very short) stint as the capital of the United States in its earliest days, as well as a deep-rooted agricultural tradition, thanks to some of the most fertile farmland in North America, make this place special.

Lancaster is home to a large Plain sect population, as well, and the humbleness of these people make it so most non-locals might not discover our uniqueness on their own. In that spirit, today we’re doing a little bragging about sets the Lancaster region apart to show why it makes such a great place to call home. Continue reading Top 8 Things that Make Lancaster PA Unique →

We have long known it to be true, but U.S. News and World Report just confirmed it – Lancaster is the #1 place in the entire country to retire in 2019!

Up from 2^nd place in this year’s rankings, Lancaster gets great marks for housing affordability, and especially its healthcare resources. Other factors considered to determine scoring were things like happiness, desirability, retiree taxes, and the job market in the local area. Survey data was collected from individuals in two age groups: pre-retirees who were 45-59 and people over 60 and examined the largest 100 metropolitan areas in the United States.

To celebrate our “win” this year, we’re taking a closer look at how Lancaster shines in some of the most significant areas that these rankings considered, specifically healthcare access, value/affordability, and overall quality of life. Continue reading It’s Official: Lancaster is the Best Place to Retire in the USA →

Just last month, our hometown of Lancaster, PA became one of the first cities in the world to earn a Gold certification through the LEED for Cities program. This accomplishment got us thinking about how Lancaster City and County make it look easy “being green.” It’s true that our local region, thanks to its strong agricultural heritage and well-known thriftiness and ingenuity of the locals, prioritizes sustainability.

From farmland preservation efforts to smart, controlled development, to this new LEED program designation, Lancaster is committed to improving itself and doing its part of solving larger world problems, like climate change and pollution.

Today we’re taking a closer look at how being a literal world leader in environmental friendliness makes Lancaster a fantastic place to live. Continue reading How Lancaster is a World Leader in Being Green →

Are you caring for a parent or other loved one in need of memory support due to dementia, cognitive changes related to aging, or Alzheimer’s disease? Or, are you planning ahead for your own potential future care needs as you enter retirement?

You are certainly not alone. There are more resources now than ever before dedicated to memory support and care needs, as well as assistance for caregivers and loved ones.

But, how do you wade through all of the information out there to make the right decisions? And what resources are most helpful? Today we’re taking a closer look at the best resources for memory problems and dementia. Continue reading What Resources are Available for Memory Support and Care? →

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature. And here in Lancaster County, we have a surprising number of outdoor recreation options for hikers, campers, anglers, boaters, golfers, and more. We have a variety of non-traditional outdoor activities available, too. Have you ever taken a hot air balloon ride? You can in Lancaster County! Want to try ziplining or navigate your way through a corn maze? You can give these fun things a try here, too.

It’s true that one of the Lancaster area’s primary industries is tourism, which means that local residents have easy access to an array of recreation options that many others have to travel great distances to experience. Our unique local geography and proximity to the wide but shallow Susquehanna River also provide some peaceful natural areas with challenging (and some easy) hiking trails, as well as opportunities for water recreation activities. Additionally, a strong commitment to preservation keeps Lancaster County wild in spots, and while it sometimes seems like local roads are crowded with traffic, you don’t have to go far to find nearly empty forest lands.

Join us as we take a closer look at some of Lancaster County’s most popular and off-the-beaten-path places to explore the outdoors. Continue reading Get Outdoors in Lancaster County →

After a scheduled surgery or even an unexpected illness or injury, your doctor may order inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation to help you successfully transition back into your everyday life. Often, you will not have much time to think about what your rehab experience will entail, though, as these orders can happen fast when you’re being discharged from the hospital following your initial procedure or treatment. So, how can you prepare yourself for the possibility of a rehab stay or outpatient physical therapy? Today we’ll take a look at some of the things you need to consider to help you and your loved ones plan ahead. Continue reading How to Get Ready for Rehab →

Many who choose Lancaster County as their home in retirement already know that it’s “close to everything.” A mere three-hour journey from both our nation’s capital in Washington DC and one of the significant cultural centers of the world in New York City, as well as an easy drive of two hours or less from both Philadelphia and Baltimore, Lancaster County offers endless opportunities for exciting day trips.

Maybe you’ve recently relocated to the area to enjoy the carefree living and amenities offered at one of our local retirement communities. Or maybe you’ve always lived in Lancaster County, but you’re looking for new adventures now that you have more free time to travel. Whoever you are, and whatever your interests, there are so many mini-vacation options close to home – no overnight stay required!

Use our list of some favorite day trip destinations to discover new fun. And then connect with us over on our Explore Retirement Living Facebook page to let us know your top day trip picks. Continue reading Just a Day Trip from Lancaster County →

It seems counter-intuitive that after decades of working, raising children, taking care of housework and home maintenance chores, and just living the “daily grind,” it can be difficult to step back and actually ENJOY retirement. But many seniors today find the extensive free time suddenly available to them in retirement can be challenging to fill with meaningful or productive activities. You’ve earned this time to spend how you want instead of having others constantly dictating your schedule, but now what? Don’t fall into the trap of passing idle hours in front of the TV or Facebook every day; there’s a whole world of options to keep boredom from catching up with you! Continue reading How to Enjoy Retirement →