Armstrong County (Pittsburgh, Butler, Indiana: for sale, house, universities)

[bethany12]

Can anyone tell me about Armstrong County? Is it rural? Are there a lot of outdoor activities? I am looking for something other than the urban sprawl lifestyle.

[rothbear]

Bethany...........I just moved from Rayburn Twp., which is next to Kittanning (Armstrong Co. county seat). Yes, the area is definately rural with no urban sprawl. All small towns, yet within easy driving distance to Butler, Indiana, Clarion and Allegheny counties. Route 28 (4 lane highway) goes directly from Kittanning to downtown Pittsburgh. Kittanning is right on the Allegheny River, so we have boating with launches. There is also a lot of hiking areas and close to national/state forests and parks with all their activities. Several lakes in the area for water activities and swimming. Kittanning has a great little riverfront park that hosts activities during the spring/summer/autumn months, including a very well known arts & crafts show the first week of August....Fort Armstrong Festival. Crooked Creek State Park is located just a few miles south with lots of outdoor activities.

Cost of living/housing is very reasonable compared to all the surrounding counties. We currently have our house for sale, with 1.2 acres, for less than $173,000, which would probably cost $300,000, or maybe more, if it was in Allegheny Co. or southern Butler.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. Lived there for 30 years, so I'm very familiar with the area.

[bethany12]

What are the people like? Friendly? Interested in fishing/hunting? I am trying to get away from the city types. No offense to anyone, but it just isn't me.

[bethany12]

Another question...how are the winters in Armstrong?

[Hopes]

Armstrong is definitely rural. The people like fishing and hunting. Snowfall is higher than Pittsburgh. Although not necessary, four wheel drive would be beneficial.

[rothbear]

Originally Posted by bethany12

What are the people like? Friendly? Interested in fishing/hunting? I am trying to get away from the city types. No offense to anyone, but it just isn't me.

Definately NOT big city "snotty" types. Very friendly rural people and since it is a small town you meet and know a lot more people. My daughter graduated in 2001 and when I see any of her teachers or parents of classmates, they always recognize me and ask how she is doing. People are as friendly back to you as you are to them.

Originally Posted by bethany12

Another question...how are the winters in Armstrong?

Winters actually vary from year to year. Most of the time it isn't too bad, but yes it is rural, low mountain, Pennsylvania, so there will be snow. lately the worst months being Jan through March Many years lately we have not had snow on Christmas, but might actually have a first snow in October although it doesn't stay. Actually I found that a lot of the time the snow would go north or east of us, especially above I-80. The one thing that I do have to mention is that Armstrong Co. is excellent about clearing roads. Much better than the surrounding counties do in the more rural areas. You can always see where you go from one county to another........Armstrong's roads will only be wet, but the others will still have some snow cover on them. I have never had a complaint about their snow removal road care, even on the township road where our house it located. The entire time I was there I only drove front wheel drive cars/minivans and only got stuck once and that was during a freak snowstorm and I slid into a deep ditch. You just have to make sure you know (or learn) how to properly drive in it and have good tires. The only time you would really need a 4-wheel drive is if you live up a long steep driveway or deep into a wooded area. We have a 4WD pick-up, but rarely used it for general purposes due to snow, although it did prove useful to drag me out of that ditch!

Hunting and fishing is huge in the area. You will see cars and trucks parked along side the various roads during both seasons. My neighbor across the street went out hunting all the time and route 28 north towards Clarion is always very busy the day before deer season and the evenings of the first two days. And with the river and various creeks in the area, you don't have to drive far to find a place to fish.

Hope this helps!

Oh........one thing I forgot to mention is that not very far is a large Amish/Mennonite community where you can get lots of great crafts, cooking stuff and wonderful handmade furniture. Smicksburg also has some great quaint little stores and even a winery with some pretty good wines. There are also lots of small festivals during the summer in various communities with lots of activities, food and fun. And Punxsutawney isn't that far away, either, where the famous Punxsutawney Phil resides. Armstrong County really is the center of all of this from universities to downtown Pittsburgh to Amish to weather "forecasting".

[bethany12]

Thanks for all of the advice! It has been very helpful.

[Copanut]

Just saw this thread and thought I'd give my two cents. I have cousins up that way and spent a summer in Kittanning back in the day. I was driving by there recently and took a walk downtown, it definitely has seen better days.

Years ago they had a racquet club there that a good friend was part owner. I'll never forget the sign they had in the sauna.

NO SPITTING OF TOBACCO JUICE ON THE ROCKS!!!