Looking to move to rural area with reasonable commute to Cranberry Twp (Pittsburgh: chapel, new home)

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Dereksdad

I own a business in Evans City. It is a nice little area, and is very convenient to Cranberry. the business district is small, but there is a grocery store, pharmacy, doctors offices, and of course a very nice mattress store! I have some customers that home school their children, but I'm also not sure of the regulations. It is a friendly community, though not very diverse. Zelie and harmony are also nice areas.

Kind of like Mt. Lebanon, but not as rich.

Just kidding, but that is just the way things are, if and when the Pgh area gets hot with jobs, things will change.

[Kippy]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Not a bad little area, not much in the way of newer homes, but then again, all urban types on this forum seem to hate cookie cutter plans.

True; however, they love cookie cutter row homes, just as long as they are at least one-hundred years old.

They hate the boxiness of new homes but love an old four square, which is basically a box.

They hate pre-fab new homes* but will drool over an old Sears catalog home.

I don't see why people can't appreciate new and old alike.

*In the interest of full disclosure, I find the concept of pre-fab homes kind of creepy myself.

[StargazerRidge]

Wow! Thank you all so much! Kippy, thank you especially for the link to the Cyber school; that looks like an awesome option for education! Wexford, McConnells Mill and Evans City all look like places we would live and a decent commute. I can't wait to learn more about the area. Thank you!

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by StargazerRidge

Wow! Thank you all so much! Kippy, thank you especially for the link to the Cyber school; that looks like an awesome option for education! Wexford, McConnells Mill and Evans City all look like places we would live and a decent commute. I can't wait to learn more about the area. Thank you!

Cranberry is pretty close to the McConnells Mill area--I go up there every week or two for a "get-away" afternoon walk. I'd just be worried about the snow when we get to it. They seem to get significantly more up there.

[pit2atl]

Slippery Rock

[irishvan]

Cranberry isn't rural?

[Kippy]

Originally Posted by irishvan

Cranberry isn't rural?

It used to be rural; now, it is an exurb.

Here is Cranberry Township's official website: http://www.twp.cranberry.pa.us/ The video tours can give people who have never visited it, or who haven't been there in recent years, a sense of the Township and the huge amount of growth it has experienced recently.

[greg42]

Some of the north parts of Cranberry are still rural. The idea of having 1-5 acres AND being able to easily ride a bike to a store, though, that's almost impossible anywhere, not just around there. I think looking around Mars, Zelienople/Harmony, Evans City and similar is good if you want to be near a small town center, but you'll probably have to balance out the lot size vs proximity to the town. The school districts (Mars Area, or Seneca Valley for the other towns) are pretty good if you eventually use them.

These towns are not such that you'll be able to completely avoid the commercial center of Cranberry for some shopping, though. They aren't very big.

[jimmyev]

Originally Posted by greg42

Some of the north parts of Cranberry are still rural. The idea of having 1-5 acres AND being able to easily ride a bike to a store, though, that's almost impossible anywhere, not just around there.

You can do this in Union Township, Shenango Township, Neshannock Township, Slippery Rock Township, whatever township surrounds Portersville, and the townships surrounding the city of Butler. Wilmington Township, too, I think. I lived on two acres in Shenango Township and it was less than a quarter-of-a-mile to Giant Eagle and the post office. No bike trails, but no traffic either. Forty minutes to Cranberry.

[bczoom]

I'm surprised there hasn't been any (or more) recommendations for W or NW of C'Berry.

Wherever you look, if you're buying, check into the mineral rights. The gas companies are coming through the areas NE to NW of C'Berry looking to lease land.