Station Square commute - What location to buy house? (Pittsburgh: real estate, houses)

[Texan Steeler Fan]

Our circumstances have changed significantly since last thread I posted. So , I thought it would be best to start a new thread instead of continuing a non-applicable thread.

Background:

Moved from Texas to Somerset, PA. Currently living with my in-laws in Somerset. Work @ Station Square Commerce Court Building. My wife and I have 3 boys (5yo, 3yo, 1yo), and we are approaching our mid-30s.

Where should we be looking to buy a house with a commute to Station Square of around 45 minutes or less in the mornings?

What are the best/safest areas for a young family like mine?


We are looking for the following:
- safe area for young family
- max budget 125K
- Under 45min morning commute - the less the better
- 4 bedroom house with central air
- fenced in level backyard (we have swing set)
- finished basement
- be nice to have a 1-2 car garage, but not a necessity


Thanks for your reply!

[I_Like_Spam]

Crafton is an attractive area where you could probably find something within your budget. Same with the adjacent Ingram borough.

In most of the newer subdivision areas, 125k isn't enough for a 4 br home, but the homes in Crafton are a bit older.

Ingram is in the Montour School district, Crafton is part of Carlynton.

A big positive for Crafton is the west busway goes through the community and will take you down to Station Square in a hurry.


Crafton is also close to I-79 and relatively close to the airport if you have to leave town or your job location changes.

[Copanut]

Live along the T.

[Hopes]

Do you want city living or suburban living?

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by Texan Steeler Fan

Our circumstances have changed significantly since last thread I posted. So , I thought it would be best to start a new thread instead of continuing a non-applicable thread.

Background:

Moved from Texas to Somerset, PA. Currently living with my in-laws in Somerset. Work @ Station Square Commerce Court Building. My wife and I have 3 boys (5yo, 3yo, 1yo), and we are approaching our mid-30s.

Where should we be looking to buy a house with a commute to Station Square of around 45 minutes or less in the mornings?

What are the best/safest areas for a young family like mine?


We are looking for the following:
- safe area for young family
- max budget 125K
- Under 45min morning commute - the less the better
- 4 bedroom house with central air
- fenced in level backyard (we have swing set)
- finished basement
- be nice to have a 1-2 car garage, but not a necessity


Thanks for your reply!

I don't think you will find a 4 bedroom house for 125k. Pittsburgh housing costs are low but not Detroit low.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

I don't think you will find a 4 bedroom house for 125k. Pittsburgh housing costs are low but not Detroit low.

I didn't notice the 125k requirement. There are lots of 4 bedroom houses under 125k. Most are older style homes.

There are many nice brick ones with big front porches in Brighton Heights.

There's a 4br ranch on Ponderosa Drive in Shaler for 105k

There's a little two story 4br brick on Duncan in McCandless for 119k.

There's a 4br brick with a front porch in Aspinwall for 100k.

There's a huge 4br farm house in West View for 113k.

That's just a drop in the bucket compared to what's out there on the real estate websites.

Granted, most are in less desirable places, but the ones I listed are all in descent school districts (with the exception of Brighton Heights) considering school district wasn't listed in the OP's criteria.

[Texan Steeler Fan]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

I don't think you will find a 4 bedroom house for 125k. Pittsburgh housing costs are low but not Detroit low.

Actually, there are plenty of homes in this price range. That's not the issue. The concern is what areas are good to buy a home for a young family.

[Texan Steeler Fan]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I didn't notice the 125k requirement. There are lots of 4 bedroom houses under 125k. Most are older style homes.

There are many nice brick ones with big front porches in Brighton Heights.

There's a 4br ranch on Ponderosa Drive in Shaler for 105k

There's a little two story 4br brick on Duncan in McCandless for 119k.

There's a 4br brick with a front porch in Aspinwall for 100k.

There's a huge 4br farm house in West View for 113k.

That's just a drop in the bucket compared to what's out there on the real estate websites.

Granted, most are in less desirable places, but the ones I listed are all in descent school districts (with the exception of Brighton Heights) considering school district wasn't listed in the OP's criteria.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that a decent school dristrict is needed as well....

I have no problem finding the homes. I have seen all the ones you mentioned and more. The real issue is I dont know the areas well enough to know where to avoid and what is good for a young family.

[Texan Steeler Fan]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Do you want city living or suburban living?

We are leaning more towards suburban. That seems to be more what we are used to compared to Texas.
Thanks!

[Texan Steeler Fan]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Crafton is an attractive area where you could probably find something within your budget. Same with the adjacent Ingram borough.

In most of the newer subdivision areas, 125k isn't enough for a 4 br home, but the homes in Crafton are a bit older.

Ingram is in the Montour School district, Crafton is part of Carlynton.

A big positive for Crafton is the west busway goes through the community and will take you down to Station Square in a hurry.


Crafton is also close to I-79 and relatively close to the airport if you have to leave town or your job location changes.

Thanks! Those are some areas I hadn't thought of! So Crafton and Ingram is considered safe and schools not to bad?