If you’re searching for a new home in the Harrisburg area, one of the first questions you’ll face is also one of the most personal: East Shore or West Shore?
It’s not just a geographic question. It’s a question about how you want your daily life to feel, including your commute, your neighborhood, your surroundings, and your pace.
Both shores have a lot to offer, and McNaughton Homes has been building on both sides of the Susquehanna River for over 40 years. We know this region well, and we want to help you make the right choice for your family.
Here’s what you need to know.
The Basics: Two Shores, Two Counties, One River Between Them
In the Metro Harrisburg area, the Susquehanna River is the dividing line. East of the river, you’re in Dauphin County — home to the city of Harrisburg, Lower Paxton Township, Susquehanna Township, Colonial Park, and Lower Swatara Township. West of the river, you’re in Cumberland County — home to Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Hampden Township, and a string of close-knit communities including Lemoyne, Wormleysburg, Camp Hill, and New Cumberland.
Both sides are part of the greater Harrisburg metro area. Both offer access to strong job markets, good infrastructure, and the kind of community feel that keeps families here for generations. The differences are in the details — and the details matter when you’re choosing where to build a home.
The two shores are connected by four major bridges across the Susquehanna:
- The M. Harvey Taylor Bridge carries local traffic between Harrisburg and Wormleysburg just north of City Island.
- The Market Street Bridge runs directly through City Island, connecting downtown Harrisburg to Lemoyne and Wormleysburg.
- The I-83 bridge carries traffic between Harrisburg and Lemoyne.
- The I-81 bridge (sometimes referred to as the George Wade Bridge) carries traffic between Harrisburg and East Pennsboro Township, just north of the city.
Keep in mind that no matter what shore you choose, you’re never far from being able to cross the river.
The East Shore: Established, Connected, and Close to the Action
The East Shore has the feel of a region that’s been well-loved for a long time. Neighborhoods in Lower Paxton Township and Colonial Park have a settled, established character — mature trees, familiar streets, and a strong sense of place that newer developments sometimes take decades to develop.
Location and Access
The East Shore puts you close to downtown Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, the historic Broad Street Market, and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, one of the region’s largest employers. I-81 and I-83 both connect on this side of the river, and PA-283 connects you to Lancaster County, for Amish country, outlet shopping, and more fine dining options. Additionally, US-322 runs northeast directly to State College — a route Penn State fans know by heart on football Saturdays.
Lifestyle
The East Shore offers easy proximity to the Harrisburg riverfront, including City Island — home of Harrisburg Senators Baseball, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, and one of the best casual summer nights in Central PA.
Riverfront Park stretches along the eastern bank of the Susquehanna, offering walking paths, open green space, and some of the best views of the river and the West Shore skyline. The Capital Area Greenbelt — a 20-mile trail loop that winds through Harrisburg’s parks and natural areas — is a favorite for walkers, runners, and cyclists looking to stay active close to home.
Golf enthusiasts will find some of the best golfing in the region, including Deer Valley Golf Course, Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, the Colonial Country Club, and the Harrisburg Country Club, tucked along Fishing Creek Road.
The East Shore dining scene is anchored by Midtown Harrisburg, where The Millworks brings together locally sourced food, craft beer, and rotating art in one of the region’s most distinctive dining spaces. Zero Day Brewing, located alongside Midtown Cinema, has become a community gathering spot for craft beer lovers and independent film fans alike. Neato Burrito — with locations on Paxton Street and beyond — is a local institution that East Shore residents have claimed as their own for decades.
McNaughton’s commitment to the East Shore runs deeper than the homes they build. The company has dedicated three community parks to the neighborhoods it’s developed over the years — including McNaughton Family Park, a 33-acre green space with walking paths and youth athletic fields that give families room to gather right outside their doors. Learn more about McNaughton’s community involvement.
Culture
The East Shore punches well above its weight when it comes to arts, culture, and history. The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra brings world-class performances to the Forum Auditorium, while the Harrisburg Improv Theater offers live comedy and entertainment in the heart of the city.
History enthusiasts will find the National Civil War Museum — one of the most comprehensive Civil War museums in the country — just minutes from most East Shore communities.
And Hershey’s Chocolate World, along with the broader Hershey entertainment corridor, is a short drive away for families looking for a weekend destination practically in their backyard.
School Districts
McNaughton’s East Shore communities are served by the Central Dauphin School District and the Susquehanna Township School District.
McNaughton New Home Communities on the East Shore
The new home communities we are currently building on the East Shore include Wilshire Estates and the Estates at Autumn Oaks, both in the Central Dauphin School District.
The West Shore: Open, Growing, and Built for Modern Family Life
The West Shore has a different energy — newer development, more open land, and a quieter suburban feel that appeals to families looking for room to grow. Cumberland County communities like Enola, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, and New Cumberland each have their own charming small-town character, while larger retail and dining options are never far away.
Location and Access
West Shore residents enjoy convenient access to Interstate 83, Route 15, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike — making York County, Carlisle, and points beyond straightforward to reach. Whether you’re commuting toward the Capital City or heading in the other direction, the highway network on this side of the river gives you a lot of flexibility.
Lifestyle
The West Shore is home to major retail options, including Wegmans along the Carlisle Pike, as well as beloved local institutions like the West Shore Farmers Market in Lemoyne. The riverfront restaurant scene along Wormleysburg puts the Susquehanna right outside your window — Dockside Willies, and Tequila Willies are local favorites for casual waterfront dining, and Dukes Bar & Grille rounds out the riverfront options just steps away.
Beyond the river, the West Shore has a dining scene that punches well above its size. The Watershed Pub in Camp Hill brings a true scratch kitchen to the suburbs. Wild Rabbit Pies and Pints in New Cumberland has built a loyal following for its creative menu. The Pizza Grille, with locations in Camp Hill and Lemoyne, is a West Shore staple. Isaac’s Craft Kitchen & Brewery in Lemoyne combines locally brewed beer with made-from-scratch food in a relaxed setting. And Neato Burrito — with locations in Mechanicsburg and New Cumberland — is exactly the kind of locally beloved spot that makes a neighborhood feel like home.
Golfers will appreciate the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill and the Armitage Golf Course in Mechanicsburg, among others. For outdoor recreation, the Yellow Breeches Creek is a local favorite for fishing and tubing, and Negley Park offers beautiful riverside views of the city skyline. When winter arrives, Roundtop Mountain Resort in Lewisberry is just a short drive away for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.
Culture
The West Shore has its own arts and entertainment scene that surprises many newcomers. The Oyster Mill Playhouse — a beloved community theater tucked along the Conodoguinet Creek in Camp Hill — has been staging productions for over 40 years and is the kind of hidden gem that West Shore residents genuinely love to show off to visitors.
And of course, everything that makes the broader Harrisburg region special — the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, the National Civil War Museum, Midtown Cinema, Zero Day Brewing, The Millworks, and the full Hershey entertainment corridor — is just a bridge crossing away.
School Districts
McNaughton’s West Shore communities fall within the Cumberland Valley, Mechanicsburg Area, and West Shore school districts.
McNaughton New Home Communities on the West Shore
Our new home communities on the West Shore include Autumn Chase in the Mechanicsburg School District and The Woods in the West Shore School District.
Why Harrisburg? Because Either Shore Puts You Here.
One of the things homebuyers sometimes overlook when they’re focused on the East Shore vs. West Shore Harrisburg decision is what both shores share: access to a region that genuinely punches above its weight for a mid-size metro area.
Wherever you land, you’re close to all of this:
World-class Healthcare
Penn State Health is one of the top academic medical centers in the Mid-Atlantic, consistently recognized for excellence across specialties. We also have UMPC Harrisburg. For a region of this size, having that level of care close to home is significant.
Four Seasons Worth Living
Central Pennsylvania doesn’t just have weather, it has seasons, and each one changes the region in ways that residents genuinely look forward to. Spring arrives with blooming dogwoods and the reopening of trails along the Capital Area Greenbelt. Summers are warm and comfortable, perfect for evenings at FNB Field watching the Senators or tubing a stretch of Yellow Breeches Creek. Fall in Central PA is something people drive hours to experience — the foliage along the Susquehanna Valley and Blue Mountain ridgeline is legitimately stunning, and the air that comes with it makes every weekend feel like an event.
Winter has its own appeal here, too. Snowfall is real but manageable, and when it comes, Roundtop Mountain Resort in Lewisberry turns it into a reason to get outside rather than stay in. For families who want four true seasons without the extremes of the northeast or the relentless heat of the south, the area delivers.
Hershey: A Destination in your Backyard
The self-proclaimed Sweetest Place on Earth is less than 30 minutes from most McNaughton communities, and it delivers on that promise year-round. Hersheypark offers world-class rides and family entertainment from spring through fall, while ZooAmerica provides a year-round wildlife experience right next door. The iconic scent of chocolate that drifts through the town is part of the charm, and Hershey’s Chocolate World gives visitors a taste of the brand’s storied history in a way that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve been.
The GIANT Center regularly hosts major concerts and touring entertainment, and the Hershey Bears — the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals — bring professional hockey to the region with a devoted fan base and one of the most storied franchises in the American Hockey League.
Minor League Baseball on the Susquehanna River
Harrisburg Senators Baseball, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, plays at FNB Field on City Island — one of the most scenic ballparks in Minor League Baseball, with the city skyline as your backdrop.
Getting Around Is Easy
Harrisburg International Airport offers direct flights to major hubs, and the Amtrak station connects the region to Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. For road trips, the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the I-81/I-83 /Route 322 corridor put you within a few hours of the entire Mid-Atlantic.
The Appalachian Trail runs through your region
For hikers, the AT passes through Central Pennsylvania — offering everything from a weekend day hike to a section of one of the most iconic long trails in the country, all within reach of your front door.
So Which Shore Is Right for You?
There’s no universal right answer — which is exactly why we don’t push people toward one side or the other. What we do is listen. If you’re drawn to established neighborhoods and want to be close to Harrisburg’s healthcare and government employment hubs, with easy access to I-81, I-83, US-15, US-22, and US-322 toward State College, the East Shore deserves a close look. If you’re drawn to newer development, more open land, a quieter suburban pace, and convenient highway access to York County and Carlisle, the West Shore may be the better fit.
The best next step is to walk through a community in person. McNaughton model homes are open most weekends on both shores, so you can see the difference — in the land, the homes, and the neighborhoods — before you make any decisions.
Explore our communities or request a consultation, and we’ll help you find the right fit on the right shore.
Have More Questions About Choosing a Shore?
We’ve compiled the most common questions buyers ask us about the East Shore vs. West Shore decision — including school districts, pricing, build timelines, floor plan customization, and more — in a companion post: New to Harrisburg? Here’s What Harrisburg Home Buyers Ask Us Most.
Already own a McNaughton home and thinking about what’s next? Visit our Remodeling page to see how we can help you update, expand, or finish the home we built together.
