My entire life I have grew up in Lancaster County and have experienced so much that it has to offer.

Over the years, I have seen that unlike me, a lot of fellow Lancaster residents don't take full advantage of what the area offers or they take those things for granted. Working in Strasburg, PA for five years I have interacting with countless numbers of tourists and nearly every time I talk to them they cannot stop talking about how amazing Lancaster is. The living conditions and benefits of this area is exceedingly better than other locations in the United States.

Us residents of Lancaster County should learn about what we have in our backyard, take advantage of those resources, and realize how blessed we are to live in such a phenomenal place.

1. The weather.

Pennsylvania experiences the ideal weather for all four seasons. Lancaster County, however, is known to have some of the most perfect days for the different seasons. We get warm spring days with lots of budding tulips; summer days that are hot enough to swim, but not too hot for a heat advisory; cool, crisp falls with gorgeous foliage; and chilly winters with the perfect amounts of snow.

2. The fresh produce.

Living in an area that is known for its agriculture, it is no surprise that there are stands on nearly every road that sells produce. Our produce is some of the highest of quality with such low prices. If you travel almost anywhere else the produce will cost more and won't be as good of quality.

3. The plants.

For plant/flower enthusiasts Lancaster County has some of the most diverse and prosperous plants. Since we experience all four seasons, a greater diversity of plants can thrive and grow. Not only can you find different plants, but just like our produce our plants are of highest of quality for such a low price.

4. The diverse culture.

Although tourists come to Lancaster to visit the Amish, Lancaster County is home to a large array of cultures. These different cultures is one of the factors in why Lancaster is so diverse and thrives. There are always different festivals, bazaars, and events throughout the area that are held by these different cultures. Even by taking a drive in Lancaster City you can see a lot of different churches and different cultures that reside in the area.

5. The geographic diversity.

Lancaster County has an array of geographies. It is home for Lancaster city, small towns (such as Lititz or Leola), fields for farming, forest areas, and it borders the Susquehanna river. This geographic diversity is what enables a lot of different cultures and individuals to reside together in this couny.

6. The wildlife.

Along with the variety of weather we get from the seasons we get a variety of species in the area. This is a hunter, birdwatcher, and animal enthusiasts paradise. Being exposed to so many creatures has made our environment highly valuable.

7. The homestead of Buchanan.

We had a President who resided in Lancaster, and that's a big deal. I understand he is not considered one of the better President's, but nonetheless he was an important man and part of our history. The fact his home is in our backyard enables us to learn more about his life.

8. The overlooks.

There is a lot of hiking trails embedded in Lancaster County. Although you won't see waterfalls, these can be some of the most enjoyable hikes. The best hikes the area has to offer though is the ones that end at an overlook of the Susquehanna. Millennials have grown to utilize (and love) these trails, but there are still times they are taken for granted.

9. The rails to trails.

Along with hiking there are numerous rails to trails. For those that don't know, these are old railroad lines that are tuned into walking/biking trails. Whether it's along the Susquehanna or through the Ephrata Cloister there is a lot of renovated, history-rich trails waiting for people to run, walk, or ride bike on them.

10. The shopping.

Although the shopping complexes continue to grow and new ones are built in the area, Lancaster offers nearly every store. We don't need to travel too far to go to the store(s) we want and it's actually convenient that shopping is all along route 30. It allows us access to shopping, but we still get the beauty of nature with farmlands.