Good family communities in Erie, PA ? (Pittsburgh, Springfield: how much, homes, neighborhoods)

[amplified]

We may be moving to Erie in the next few months and wanted some opinions about Erie, PA. I have three kids (HS, Middle, 3 year old).

Coming from the west coast, I don't know much about Erie. I know that this part of PA gets lots and lots of snow so what are the road conditions like during winter? Would it be possible to live in a town like Edinboro and commute into Erie? I'm currently commuting about 30 minutes one way a day and don't mind it at all but that's California driving.

What parts of Erie are the most desirable? Millcreek? Ashbury?

How about other communities other than Edinboro outside Erie?

Any info would be great.

[Rtom45]

Your winter commute from locations outside Erie into town could be rough. I would not plan on it unless you are comfortable driving 4 WD in snow. There are lots of good neighborhoods in Millcreek township including places along Asbury road. Millcreek township just recently got some national attention as an affordable place to live with lots of amenities. Other smaller communities outside of Erie include Girard, Fairview, Harborcreek, and Northeast.

[kpoeppel]

Originally Posted by amplified

We may be moving to Erie in the next few months and wanted some opinions about Erie, PA. I have three kids (HS, Middle, 3 year old).

Coming from the west coast, I don't know much about Erie. I know that this part of PA gets lots and lots of snow so what are the road conditions like during winter? Would it be possible to live in a town like Edinboro and commute into Erie? I'm currently commuting about 30 minutes one way a day and don't mind it at all but that's California driving.

What parts of Erie are the most desirable? Millcreek? Ashbury?

How about other communities other than Edinboro outside Erie?

Any info would be great.

I'll probably catch hell for this, but, if you stay out of the city of Erie itself, you'll be fine. Millcreek is regarded as a good school district and is family-friendly.

I wouldn't try to commute into Erie from inland locations like Edinboro, because those areas usually get the most lake-effect snow. You could do it, but you'd be in for long, slippery commutes during the winter.

[scottrpriester]

My hometown of North East PA is a good place to look . Good schools and safe surroundings.

Don't get to worked up over the commute in and out of the snowbelt. I used to live in the City of Erie and would commute to Meadville PA every day. Yes the weather can be bad, but the days that are absoloutley impassable are few. Don't necessarily think that four wheel drive is a necessity. A good set of snow tires will get you anywhere in the snow. The funny thing is, most people who drive 4WD vehicles in the Erie area don't know how to properly handle the vehicles in the first place.

[amplified]

Originally Posted by Rtom45

Your winter commute from locations outside Erie into town could be rough. I would not plan on it unless you are comfortable driving 4 WD in snow. There are lots of good neighborhoods in Millcreek township including places along Asbury road. Millcreek township just recently got some national attention as an affordable place to live with lots of amenities. Other smaller communities outside of Erie include Girard, Fairview, Harborcreek, and Northeast.

Every home I look at in Millcreek appears to be near the airport. How much noise does this create?

[Rtom45]

Not much noise at all. If you're in the general area of McDowell high school, or areas east of that, you won't even know the airport is there. If you're looking to residential areas sort of northeast of the airport, then there is more noise, but still not a lot. Most of the air traffic is west of the airport and that is mostly stores and light manufacturing.

[Ohiogirl81]

If you want a traditional small-town atmosphere, I'd recommend North East or Girard, even Lawrence Park (although to hear my mom talk you'd think she was being taxed to death!). The great thing about Lawrence Park is that you can walk everywhere.

Originally Posted by kpoeppel

I'll probably catch hell for this, but, if you stay out of the city of Erie itself, you'll be fine.

Nah, you won't. If you've got kids, keep them out of the Erie school district. There are some great neighborhoods in the city, though, so anyone who's committed to sending their kids to a private school shouldn't rule out the city.

[jrw355]

I have lived in Millcreek my whole life and love it. It is very family friendly, very little crime, great school district. The Erie school district is very iffy so try to stay out of there. Asbury Rd is going to the be ritzy end of the town... Tom Ridge lives over there and most of those homes are large and expensive. There are very nice neighborhoods spread all over Millcreek and most are very reasonable. The city itself is expanding so everything you need is within driving distance of nearly everything. I live within about ten minutes of everything... the mall, the beach, downtown, shopping. I also live near the airport and there is very little noise that I notice. As long as you aren't living on the tarmac, you should be fine. I feel strange when I don't hear airplanes when I'm at school haha.

[BOBBB17037]

Hello all, I too am most likely moving to the Erie area in the spring. I am a single dad with a teenage son so a good school district is important. I am looking for something with a rural/country setting. I have been looking at Albion (have a good friend that lives there),Platea, Springfield, and Girard areas. I want something with some acreage(5-10+). I currently live in Hanover,Pa. but housing and land prices here have skyrocketed. I visited Erie last summer for a week and again on Labor day and really like the area. And being within an hour or so from Pittsburgh ,Cleveland, Buffalo is a plus too. So I am looking to relocate any help that anyone can offer would be appreciated.

[Rtom45]

If you are looking for some land, also consider looking around Waterford which is about 10 miles south of Erie. Or you may want to look at Edinboro which is a little further south. Both of those communities are in the snow belt so be prepared to deal with that.