Every part of the city, from Midtown rowhomes to Uptown's riverfront, plus the West Shore and Dauphin County suburbs that make up greater Harrisburg.
The city covers about 8 square miles of land on the east bank of the Susquehanna. These are the areas you'll hear locals name.
The civic core: the Capitol Complex, state office towers, Strawberry Square, the Second Street restaurant and bar strip, and Riverfront Park. There are apartments and condos above storefronts, and you can walk everywhere.
Historic brick rowhomes, the Broad Street Market, the Midtown Scholar, the Susquehanna Art Museum, galleries, and coffee shops. It's the center of 3rd in the Burg and the city's arts scene.
North of Midtown along the river, with Italian Lake Park, the Governor's Residence, larger homes on tree-lined streets, and easy access to the Riverfront Park path.
A tiny, historic riverside neighborhood just south of downtown with 19th-century rowhomes. It has a strong neighborhood association and sits in the river's floodplain, so check flood history and insurance.
One of the city's largest and most diverse neighborhoods, on the hill east of downtown. It includes Reservoir Park and the National Civil War Museum, and has some of the most affordable housing in the city.
An early-1900s planned residential park on the city's east side, with curving streets, mature trees, and architect-designed homes. It's a historic district and feels suburban inside city limits.
Across the river, these are separate municipalities, but locals consider them part of Harrisburg. People often choose them for schools and newer housing.
Small river boroughs at the west end of the Market Street and Harvey Taylor bridges. They have the shortest commute into downtown from Cumberland County.
An established, walkable borough with a highly regarded school district and a busy retail corridor along Market Street and Trindle Road. Homes cost more here.
Larger suburbs further west with newer subdivisions, the Cumberland Valley and Mechanicsburg Area school districts, and big-box shopping along the Carlisle Pike.
A small riverside borough south of Lemoyne with its own compact downtown and easy access to I-83.
Directly north of the city along the river, with a mix of older and newer neighborhoods and quick access back into downtown.
A large suburban township northeast of the city with extensive retail. The Central Dauphin School District serves much of it.
Paxtang and Penbrook are small boroughs bordering the city's east side. Swatara spreads southeast toward the airport corridor.
Hershey (Derry Township) has its own economy and higher prices. Hummelstown has a classic main street. The Middletown area is home to Harrisburg International Airport and Penn State Harrisburg.
Comparing places to live? The moving guide covers schools, utilities, and commutes.