I'm moving to Lancaster in the near future. Somehow, I'm naieve and stupid enough to believe the place is beautiful and pleasant enough to be crime free. Duh.
Most of Lancaster County is as you believe but the City of Lancaster is turning into a real $hithole thanks to drug runners from NY & Philly. Lots of drive-bys and the like.
Have you decided where you will live yet? I live in a small town about 10 miles from Lancaster. Strasburg is still like it was when I was a kid.
Downtown has parts that are real crapholes.
Lancaster City has problems. Lancaster County is different
I was raised in Lancaster County and lived there from the 70s to mid-90s. Still have family and friends there.
Lancaster City always had its bad parts that are havens for low-lifes and crime. The bad parts aren't getting any better and I hear that more of downtown is getting worse.
The small town & suburban communities in Lancaster County are friendly, well-policed and there is no widespread serious crime problem. Good luck to you.
Check out my hometown of Lititz...yeah, we had the Ludwig afair a few months ago but that happens once every fifty years or so here...if you ordered the perfect place to live, as you might a meal in a fine restaurant, what you conjured up might look a lot like Lititz...