M/B moving to New Castle in Lawrence (Johnstown, Oil City: cheap house, military)

[Phebe]

My husbands home office is not far from New Castle in Lawrence. We would buy a home and stay there part time, when he needs to work at that office, for extended periods. I am checking the under $50K home market, and find that they are separately divided by streets. Can anybody give me info on the area? Are there areas to avoid? Are the residents accepting of newcomers? We would be bringing our 2 dogs. Are they relatively safe, in a back yard? We've lived in an area where dogs were stolen out of cars and back yards, to be used as bait, to incite pit bulls into fighting. If there are areas to be wary of in New Castle, I'd like to know ahead of time. Any insider knowledge will be appreciated! Thanks!

[Katiana]

New Castle is not very large. Like anywhere else, I think the safe vs unsafe areas will be very obvious when you go there to house hunt. Like many of these small cities in Pennsylvania, a lot of people in NC have lived there for generations. OTOH, they may be happy to meet some new people.

[Phebe]

Hi, Katiana!
Thanks for your response. I guess that I was trying to take a short cut. Some of the house prices and the descriptions and the pics of the interiors, are so enticing, plus the city forum data on New Castle, that I was wondering if, as usual, t'was too good to be true. We'd have to arrange a special trip up for house hunting, because I usually stay home stoking the fires. I'm trying to convince my husband that a $35-$45k house could possibly be nice and safe enough to buy, as I email him all these attractive pics. But if it isn't possible, then I have no business, bothering him with it. We couldn't afford anything more, as a 2nd home. His partner lives in Oil City, so we can ask him to have a look for us. By the way, what is OTOH? I've been trying to think of word combos that OTOH could represent, and I'm stumped! It m/b used alot, but I don't get around much. I was born in Pa., if that counts for something, but fOrCeD to leave (picked up and carried!), as a toddler. 1/2 my folks are from Pa., but my dad kept getting transfered...

[PeterRabbit]

OTOH = On the other hand?

There was a link in one of these pages, maybe in the very long Oil City thread., it went to New Castle or rather a site a senior put there of his doll house that cost him all of $50,000. They bought at $35 or $38 and moved in fixing up the little things as time passed and in a couple years presto-change-O! The lawn and surroundings were manicured and the place had new paint and looked great.

His site gave advice for seniors that anyone could use. A member here posted the link. He's very encouraging if something like that would work for you.

[PeterRabbit]

I was a little off about my details, but, I did a quick Google search and that site came up right away. Lots of info, excellent links and pics of New Castle.

Cheap Senior Retirement, Cheap but wonderful place to live,* Housing on a Shoestring, NICE SAFE CHEAP TOWN, cheap frugal retirement, cheap houses, best place to live on Social Security, Cheap retirement community housing in: Alabama<br> Alaska<br>* A (broken link)

[nocheapones]

In my experience, there aren't many good places in town to get a house for that price. Even if the house itself is nice, the neighborhood likely wouldn't be. I think your best bet for that price would be in Mahoningtown (technically part of New Castle, though slightly separated from the rest of it). HALF of Mahoningtown isn't very good either, but the other half consists mostly of people who have lived there for a long time, they keep an eye out for anyone that seems out of place (that might be causing trouble), so it's pretty safe. I'd look at West Clayton and up (away from Liberty St.) I think your dogs would probably be fine. And in my experience, people around here are pretty welcoming. There might also be some areas on the North Hill, though avoid East and West Wallace, Park Avenue, and the surrounding areas... look more towards Neshannock Township, though the prices would likely go up too. And also the East Side, towards Shenango Township might be decent as well.

[nocheapones]

In my experience, there aren't many good places in town to get a house for that price. Even if the house itself is nice, the neighborhood likely wouldn't be. I think your best bet for that price would be in Mahoningtown (technically part of New Castle, though slightly separated from the rest of it). Not all of it is good, but there are parts that are very safe and still low cost houses. I'd look at West Clayton and up (away from Liberty St.) There might also be some areas on the North Hill, though avoid East and West Wallace, Park Avenue, and the surrounding areas... look more towards Neshannock Township, though the prices would likely go up too. And also the East Side, towards Shenango Township might be decent as well. I think your dogs would probably be fine. And in my experience, people around here are pretty welcoming.

[Classic Satch]

I would suggest Neshannock or Shenango Township. I grew up in Neshannock and my mother now lives in Shenango. Stay away from Union however.

[Katiana]

Yes, OTOH means "on the other hand".

[LILIEPPS]

Hello to all,

I am a single mom of one and in the Military. I will be moving to New Castle, PA from Johnstown,PA. Where can I get information on rental homes and middle school information in a descent neighborhood. Thanks for any help