Seeking Recommendations for Rural Communities within 20-30 minutes of Pittsburgh (Plum: purchase, movie theaters)

[AtticusFinch3]

Hello everyone,

I would love to get some recommendations for rural/small town communities within about 20 to 30 minutes of drive time from Pittsburgh. I'm doing some preliminary research right now, but the ultimate goal is to purchase land and build a home. Proximity to things like shopping/entertainment aren't a big concern as I already live in "the sticks" and I'm used to driving at least twenty minutes for groceries, movie theaters and chain stores
However, school quality is important as we are a young family; in measuring that quality, I would put the most stock in the general feelings of the community towards the school (are people always complaining about it? do families seem involved and happy?) and graduation rates.

Thanks very much for any help. Have a great day!

[Hopes]

20 to 30 minutes drive to Downtown Pittsburgh or to the edge of Allegheny County?

[AtticusFinch3]

The office of the company I work for is located near Gateway Center Park, which if I'm not mistaken is pretty much right in the heart of the city. If that limits the area too much, I could probably extend out to 40 minutes to an hour, which is about the commute time I have now.

[snorpus]

20 minutes to downtown, in rush hour, from anywhere remotely rural, is pretty much out of the question, I think. 45-60 minutes is more realistic for what you want.

There might be some pretty rural areas in the far reaches of Plum Boro. To the northeast, look north of PA-28 in the Tarentum-Brackenridge-Natrona area. Some parts of Murrysville are still quite rural.

[AtticusFinch3]

Originally Posted by snorpus

20 minutes to downtown, in rush hour, from anywhere remotely rural, is pretty much out of the question, I think. 45-60 minutes is more realistic for what you want.

There might be some pretty rural areas in the far reaches of Plum Boro. To the northeast, look north of PA-28 in the Tarentum-Brackenridge-Natrona area. Some parts of Murrysville are still quite rural.

Thanks for the tip! I've never been to the Pittsburgh area before, so traffic information like that definitely helps.

[BobMcKelvin]

West of Carnegie along Noblestown Road. Should be able to find areas in South Fayette or Chartiers Valley districts which are pretty good. As far as commute, if you can get to 376 via 79 (as with Noblestown Road), you save a ton of time vs many areas in West Allegheny district that need to use 376 from Robinson and beyond. From 79/376 interchange you are looking at 20-25 mins to the tunnels most mornings.

You could also utilize West Busway which will have you downtown from Carnegie in 15 minutes with a stop at Gateway Center.

[I_Like_Spam]

I'd look at Butler County, you can go out further and stay within the hour limit as I79 north is a fast road and there are no tunnels between there and here. Slippery Rock area could be a good choice

[markson33]

Zelienople or Evans City might be good options. Both are north of the city about 30-45 minutes.

[MathmanMathman]

Kittanning has the best of both worlds. Rural, yet close enough to a big city.

[Katarina Witt]

Some of Beaver County is fairly rural, and within 45 min. of downtown.