New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, hosts an annual apple harvest festival each September, even though October is National Apple Month. The apples are likely descendants from trees planted in Pennsylvania by the real Johnny Appleseed in the late 1700s. At least, it's fun to think so!
New Cumberland is a borough that is not even a whole dot on the map with its total landmass of 1.7 square miles. That doesn't mean it's any less proud of its community of 7,277 residents. Since it's approximately 95 percent residential, there's not much in New Cumberland in the way of attractions. Despite its "smallness," the little borough has some claims to fame. For one, its eastern border is on the Susquehanna River. It has an Olde Towne and hosts an annual Apple Harvest Festival. Also, the residents in New Cumberland can wave at the people living in the capital city of Harrisburg, which is on the other side of the river. Mostly, it's a place to hang your hat at night and get to know your neighbors.
Moving to New Cumberland
If you were looking for a place that is as easy to get to as possible, New Cumberland would have to be on the list of possibilities. Major Interstate 83 runs along its western and northern edges, eventually crossing the Susquehanna when going east. Most of the places to live in New Cumberland are houses or houses converted to apartments. If your heart is set on an apartment, then start looking long before you are ready to move. Procrastinators may find themselves living in space that is not their first preference since apartment complexes are limited in number. Many of the leases require a 12-month commitment in recognition of that fact.
To rent in New Cumberland, you need to complete an application and decide if you will be taking Abbot or Costello (dog or cat) along. If so, you'll need a security and a pet deposit. Renters need decent credit because the landlord will check your credit before handing you the keys to the castle. Some will accept co-signers, but not all.
It is important to use a reliable apartment locator for a couple of reasons. New Cumberland is small, but is surrounded by other boroughs like Camp Hill, Lemoyne, and Womleysburg. They are all nested together like baby birds in a nest, so it is easy to get fooled into thinking you are renting in New Cumberland when it may be an entirely different borough. It works the other way, too. You may just care about living in the general area and aren't concerned with finding housing in a specific borough. If so, you have a lot more options by expanding your apartment or rental house search to include the boroughs and small cities nestled up against New Cumberland's three sides formed by land. They include Camp Hill, Fairview Township, Lemoyne, Lower Allen Township, and many others. It's something to think about.
Neighborhoods in New Cumberland
With only 1.7 square miles of land, there are only three sections, and that's stretching the imagination. Hey, remember the expression, "You can't make a mountain out of molehill!"? There are only 25 miles of streets in the whole borough!
North New Cumberland: South of the Capital Beltway (I-85) is a large residential area. BicyclePA Route J follows the Susquehanna Rivers and uses the York County Heritage Rail Trail. This whole section of the borough is primarily single-family houses, townhomes, and house rentals. There's easy access to I-83 via Bridge Street or Brandt Avenue.
South New Cumberland (East Edge): This section includes an area along the river called New Market and Olde Towne, and the rest is park and residential. Approximately half of this section is single-family homes, and the other half is various rentals that include townhomes and apartments. In the southernmost point is New Cumberland Borough Park.
The Hills (West Edge): If you want to find newer townhomes for rent, start looking in the Beacon Hills area, which is just east of the north-south leg of I-83. The apartment homes have 3 bedrooms and tons of amenities. Just north of Beacon Hills, but south of Simpson Ferry Road, is Drexel Hills, which has some older homes converted to apartments.
Top Apartment Complexes
Village at Highland Park: Right outside the north edge of New Cumberland, near I-83 in Lemoyne, is the Village at Highland Park where it may be easy to find a 2 bedroom apartment. You won't even realize you are not in New Cumberland. On the other side of I-83 are more apartment complexes where the savvy renter can easily find a 1 bedroom apartment for rent.
Fairmont: There is one apartment complex off Old York Road named Fairmont, across the road from the Capital City Airport, and a little north is the Historic Iroquois Hotel Senior Apartments developed by remodeling an historic hotel built in 1830.
Living in New Cumberland
By far, the best local hangouts are in Olde Towne along Bridge Street. Pete's Olde Towne Bar & Grill is a favorite, and so is Shugar's Deli where you can get a real Philadelphia Style Italian Hoagie. The West Shore Theatre is also in Olde Towne and is a cinematic treasure that opened in 1940, which still has the classic single screen. Most of New Cumberland's businesses are clustered in and around Olde Towne, so that's where residents head when it's time to have some fun. You can meet some friends at Coakley's Restaurant and Irish Pub and make your whole body happy or cater to the sweet tooth with a piece of caramel apple pie at Linda's Pie Shop. The livability index rates New Cumberland an exceptionally livable place with a low cost of living index, public transportation, and a mild climate. Let's review: Beer with friends. Check! Friendly restaurants. Check! Affordable housing. Check! Close to a big city. Check! We should all move to New Cumberland! Too bad they don't have more room.