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Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a mid-sized city in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a roughly 60,000-person hub with a revitalized downtown and Franklin and Marshall College just northwest of the center. F&M brings a steady student presence to the city's northwest corridor, and downtown is one of the more walkable small cities in the state. The grid radiates from Penn Square and the historic Central Market, the country's oldest continuously operating public farmers market, ringed by galleries, public art, and a monthly First Friday arts scene. The city pairs that energy with the surrounding farmland, so you're never far from open country, the Conestoga River, and rail-trails. Add minor league baseball, and it feels bigger than its size.
Right around Franklin and Marshall, the obvious first stop, with student-heavy communities like College Row and a quick walk or short ride to campus.
Centered on Penn Square and Central Market, it suits students who want galleries, music, and First Friday energy at their doorstep, with converted lofts and historic rowhouses.
The blocks along North Queen Street stretch the downtown vibe northward with apartments and shared houses.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Lancaster.
Red Rose Transit Authority runs the local buses, connecting campus, downtown, and the Lancaster train station, so a car isn't required. For regional travel, Amtrak's Keystone and Pennsylvanian lines stop at Lancaster station, putting Philadelphia about 70 minutes east and Harrisburg a short hop west. The local buses plus Amtrak cover both city and regional trips.
The downtown grid around Penn Square and Central Market is compact and pedestrian-friendly, and the walk from the F&M area into the core is doable. Students near Franklin and Marshall or downtown can handle most of daily life on foot. Biking works well on the flatter city streets.
A car is handy for grocery runs and trips into the surrounding farmland and county. Many students near campus and downtown manage without one thanks to the local buses. A vehicle is most useful for destinations the bus network doesn't reach.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Off-campus rentals near Franklin and Marshall generally range from about $600 to $1,500 per month depending on the unit. Studios and shared rooms sit lower, while newer one-bedrooms and downtown lofts run higher. Splitting a multi-bedroom house or apartment is how most students bring their individual share down.
Browse student housing near each Lancaster-area university.