New Kensington, other opinions please (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: travel, rental, jobs)

[mcorrales]

My family and I are moving to PA from SoCal in the next two months. I am traveling to PA the last week of this month to take a look at houses for us. I posted once for informaton on New Kensington and only received one answer. My DIL and I have fallen in love with a house there and the price is definitely affordable for us. Rather than just listen to the one poster, I have done further research and the statistics on crime do not seem out of line for a town of that size. I even went and called the local police department and spoke to an officer whose sister lives two blocks from where our "dream" house is. What I am now looking for is more info from you that live in PA. Tell me as much as you can about this area (New Kensington), good, bad, indifferent, etc. I will be looking at this house at the end of the month. I do not want to run away from my dream, based on one post. Please help.

[mams1559]

I don't live there or know anyone who does so I won't pretend to know all about the town, but here's some things I can share.

New Kensington is about 21 miles north/north east of Pittsburgh. With good traffic, it would only take about 30 min. to get to the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. It's also about the same distance to Monroeville, PA where there's lots of shopping. New Ken is in Westmoreland County, just over the county line (Alleghney River) from Allegheny County. I've heard good things about the surrounding areas (Plum Boro and Penn Hills) being nice places to live. You'll be close enough to Pittsburgh to shop or commute to work, but without the major issues Pgh has. Based on where it's located, I guess it has the standard PA climate, cold winters with enough snow and pleasant and warm summers, with extra humidity at times.

My mom did one of her nursing residencies at one of the hospitals in New Ken, I believe it was Allegheny Valley (there's about five others close by) and she didn't have any problems with the area or the people. She enjoyed her time there and did consider taking a position there after graduation. If you knew my mother, that's a compliment.

I can't really comment on jobs or schools. If you want to know about the school district, I'd suggest going to schoolmatters.com It gives a lot of info and you can compare it to other districts in the area/state.

Call me bias but I feel most areas in western PA have their own beautiful and are good places to live and we have enough selection to fit most peoples requirements. I hope this helps, even a little. Sorry I couldn't be more specific. Maybe the better way to think about it is it's good that I haven't heard bad things about the area! That could be a positive Good luck with your move.

[chassobolak]

I read that you wanted to purchase a house in New Ken and you needed some info so here it goes. First off I’m 20 years old and have lived in New Ken all my life. One thing you may want to find out about your house is if it is located below or above the tracks (rail road tracks). If it is above the tracks then it's good, if it isn't then you may want to find a different home. There are some very beautiful homes in New Ken because of it's previous economic development, but since that has sizzled some neighborhoods have seen a dramatic drop in property values due to specific areas becoming "dark". Which is crap because their are 5 times as many poor white people. If you didn't know what dark meant most likely it's because South Western Pennsylvania is considered racist. Especially within the middle aged crowd. As the saying goes: "Pennsylvania: Philadelphia on the one side, Alabama on the other". It's more behind the back racism than out loud. You won't see any crosses burning or any loud profanities, it's just backyard talk. I almost forgot, I know of at least 2 bars that still frown on specific individuals entering their bright white bar. Ironically New Ken is considered the scapegoat of the region for being "darker" than most. All of the bars in New Ken are dive bars, some of the younger kids go to them or up to the Pittsburgh Mills Mall restaurants(Chili's, Houlihans Etc) , which is around 10 minutes from New Ken if that. I personally live in the Aluminum City Terrace (go to Wikipedia and put in New Kensington, PA for a background) where there is never any trouble, everyone greets each other, and the most crime we had was when someone was siphoning gas. There are many other things that you need to know so reply as soon as possible and please ask more specific questions.
P.S. P & M pizza was the best pizza of all time but now you have to drive to Natrona Heights to get it.

-Chas

[SHANNO]

Okay, I read what Chas had to say...now here is a different point of view from that "middle aged group" that he mentions. I'm 45 and have lived in or around New Kensington for more of those years than I care to think about. New Ken at one time was a thriving community with wonderful neighborhoods. Wonderful neighborhoods still thrive, they are just fewer and farther between. Unfortunately, just being "above the tracks" is no longer enough to guarantee a nice neighborhood. As a matter of fact, there are a couple of areas below the tracks that are becoming nice neighborhoods again. First thing to make clear, a nice neighborhood is generally NOT determined by how "dark" is other than by those in community over 70! The only exception to that are people living in neighborhoods that happen to have multiple rental properties where most of the trouble in town occurs. When you look at your dream house again make sure to ask around about how many properties are rentals. Depending on the time of day you are there look around to see how many of your potential neighbors are around. Are the homes and yards well maintained? These are just the basic things to look for, but if you use common sense like you would anywhere else you will be fine. One other basic truth about New Ken...if the house is "up the hill" (any one of the many) then you are more likely to be in a true neighborhood. You have to realize that you may not have quite as many conveniences around as you are used to having. New Kensington is a community that still has potential to become prosperous again, but it will take time and effort on the part of the residents. I wish you the best in your move.

[Pioneers]

To agree with Shanno.....I moved here five years ago because the homes are beautiful and outrageously affordable! The town does get a bad rap in regard to the crime rate, and I do agree with Chas that racism has alot to do with it (Comparitively, the surrounding communities are mostly white - middle class ---- whereas there is a great deal more economic and racial diversity within the NK city limits). There are alot of good opportunities here; fairly convenient bus service to downtown Pittsburgh (I commute daily to work and school in Pittsburgh on the bus) -- and with a lot of luck, there may be a commuter rail station opening up in the near future; Educational opps with a brand new Community College Campus is being built on Fifth ave and Penn State New Kensington is just outside the city limits; For shopping, the Pittsburgh Mills Retail Center is literally about three miles from Downtown NK, Monroeville Mall is about twelve miles, Waterworks Mall in Fox Chapel about the same(though tremendously easier to get to!); and of course the proximity to Pittsburgh's Cultural District (a 50 minute bus ride or 30 minute drive), The Universities in Oakland(Pitt,Carnegie Mellon,Carlow,Chatham) and Downtown (Point Park, Duquesne, Art Institute); Parks in the area are pretty nice: Memorial park, Burrell Lake park, Boyce Park, Deer Lakes Park, Northmoreland Park and if you don't mind the drive Ohiopyle state park (1 hour 30 minutes off I-76), Crooked Creek Dam (about 45 minutes north on route 66), Moraine (there is an awesome regatta there every summer!...oh yeah, it about 45 minutes north off I-79). Anyway, just wanted to give a more complete impression of the area. Good Luck!

[stunnin]

I have lived here now for over 10 years and I live in the "good neighborhood". If I could reverse time, I would have never moved here. That bargain price tag does come with its snags!!! I wish you the best but I could never wish this place on my worst enemy.

[jdfixit]

What about ?
Woodmont Avenue 5Th Avenue Victoria Avenue Catalpa Street Kenneth Avenue Constitution Boulevard Argonne Drive, in New Kensington

[lastdollar]

Originally Posted by mcorrales

My family and I are moving to PA from SoCal in the next two months. I am traveling to PA the last week of this month to take a look at houses for us. I posted once for information on New Kensington and only received one answer. My DIL and I have fallen in love with a house there and the price is definitely affordable for us. Rather than just listen to the one poster, I have done further research and the statistics on crime do not seem out of line for a town of that size. I even went and called the local police department and spoke to an officer whose sister lives two blocks from where our "dream" house is. What I am now looking for is more info from you that live in PA. Tell me as much as you can about this area (New Kensington), good, bad, indifferent, etc. I will be looking at this house at the end of the month. I do not want to run away from my dream, based on one post. Please help.

The town was nice about ten years ago. The stores are all closed because of`the drugs[Crack]. On the outer part of town is ok.