Fort Indiantown Gap is home to the Pennsylvania National Guard and one of the busiest Guard training centers in the country. Every year, soldiers, airmen, civilian employees and contractors move here for work. If that's you, the good news is you have a lot of nice towns within a short drive.
Where the Gap is
The post sits on the line between Lebanon and Dauphin Counties, right off Exit 85 of I-81. It's about 14 miles to Lebanon and 22 miles to Harrisburg. Harrisburg International Airport is about 30 miles away, and Philadelphia and Baltimore are each about 100 miles. That makes it an easy base whether you work on post every day or drive in for drill weekends.
Towns close to the Gap
Annville. A small college town about 10 minutes south, home of Lebanon Valley College. Older homes on tree-lined streets in town, and newer neighborhoods and farmland around it. Living in Annville, PA
Jonestown. A quiet borough about 10 minutes east, with room to spread out. You'll find older homes in town and more land and building lots in the townships nearby. Living in Jonestown, PA
Palmyra. About 15 minutes southwest, with a walkable downtown and plenty of newer neighborhoods. Hershey is right next door. Living in Palmyra, PA
Grantville and East Hanover Township. On the Dauphin County side, a few minutes west along I-81. A good fit if you also work in Harrisburg or Hershey.
Lebanon. About 20 minutes south. The widest choice of homes, shopping and restaurants, and the Lebanon VA Medical Center. Living in Lebanon, PA
Hershey. About 20 minutes southwest, close to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Hersheypark. Living in Hershey, PA
School districts to know
If you have kids, the school district usually decides the search. Around the Gap, the main ones are Northern Lebanon, Annville-Cleona, Palmyra Area and Lower Dauphin. I'll show you which district each home is in before you go see it.
Buying with a VA loan
If you've served, a VA loan is worth a close look. Your lender can walk you through your eligibility and your Certificate of Eligibility. If you need help finding a lender who does a lot of VA loans, I can help with that.
Many military moves come with short notice. I can do video walk-throughs for you if you're still out of state, and help you line up the inspection and closing so the timing works with your report date.
Rent or buy?
If you're here for a few years or more, buying often makes sense, and many people keep the home as a rental when they move on. If you're not sure how long you'll stay, we can talk it through and look at both.
Moving to the Gap?
Have more questions? See the answers to what Central PA buyers and sellers ask most on my Central PA Real Estate FAQ page.
I'm always available. Call or text me at (717) 203-2383 or email rod@property-dream.com. I know these towns well and I'll help you find the right one, even from out of state.
Iron Valley Real Estate of Lebanon | 717-769-2986
Rod Martin, Iron Valley Real Estate
Related: Buying Your First Home in Lebanon County, PA · Buying a Home in Lebanon County, PA