Areas outside of the city (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: crime, chapel, houses)

[mjd]

Many of the recent threads talk about the merits of living in the city. For various reasons, most especially proximity to family, we will be looking to move outside of the city limits of Pgh. Despite this, we would still like to live somewhere very UNLIKE Cranberry, where I was last weekend. I felt like I couldn't breathe there - just my opinion. Either someplace with some charm because it has its own downtown, or someplace pretty because there is some land and everything is not on top of everything else. Preferably an area that would have some older neighborhoods, although it wouldn't have to be all old. I just want to find a house with some uniqueness.

Thanks alot

[PhilaForNow]

Have you ever considered Punxsutawney In Jefferson about 91 miles when Cranberry is I think 94 miles your close to Pittsburg but not to close I love Pittsburg I’m a native of Jefferson but live in Philadelphia talk about crime and a corrupted city government

Originally Posted by mjd

Many of the recent threads talk about the merits of living in the city. For various reasons, most especially proximity to family, we will be looking to move outside of the city limits of Pgh. Despite this, we would still like to live somewhere very UNLIKE Cranberry, where I was last weekend. I felt like I couldn't breathe there - just my opinion. Either someplace with some charm because it has its own downtown, or someplace pretty because there is some land and everything is not on top of everything else. Preferably an area that would have some older neighborhoods, although it wouldn't have to be all old. I just want to find a house with some uniqueness.

Thanks alot

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by mjd

Many of the recent threads talk about the merits of living in the city. For various reasons, most especially proximity to family, we will be looking to move outside of the city limits of Pgh. Despite this, we would still like to live somewhere very UNLIKE Cranberry, where I was last weekend. I felt like I couldn't breathe there - just my opinion. Either someplace with some charm because it has its own downtown, or someplace pretty because there is some land and everything is not on top of everything else. Preferably an area that would have some older neighborhoods, although it wouldn't have to be all old. I just want to find a house with some uniqueness.

Thanks alot

There are lots of little charming towns -- Mars (near Cranberry) Zelienople, Beaver, Butler, Saxonburg, Monaca, Rochester... but you have to go explore. Each place has it's own charms and faults. I don't think I want to live in the city area either -- I'm really more of a suburban type of girl -- Franklin Park is nice, Fox Chapel...

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

There are lots of little charming towns -- Mars (near Cranberry) Zelienople, Beaver, Butler, Saxonburg, Monaca, Rochester... but you have to go explore. Each place has it's own charms and faults. I don't think I want to live in the city area either -- I'm really more of a suburban type of girl -- Franklin Park is nice, Fox Chapel...

I would look up the stats on these places before looking for a house there. Some of these places are really depressed.

[PROJECT PAT]

if you got money move to upper st clair or mt lebanon or one of the suburbs in the south hills area. nice houses and good location close to everything

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

I would look up the stats on these places before looking for a house there. Some of these places are really depressed.

I agree that some of those areas Tally'sMom mentioned aren't places I'd want to live. Butler, Beaver, Monaca, and Rochester are way too depressed.

Mars, Saxonburg (very adorable), Zelienople (also nice) Franklin Park (no 'town' though), and Fox Chapel are nice.

Also look into Sewickley. It has a unique town with lots of victorian houses.

As for an area wtih lots of land, West Deer is still rural. Or go North on 28 and check out the outlying areas around Freeport.

If you don't mind a long commute, there are plenty of places outside of Allegheny County. You might enjoy a rural area in Westmoreland County.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I agree that some of those areas Tally'sMom mentioned aren't places I'd want to live. Butler, Beaver, Monaca, and Rochester are way too depressed.

Well, it has been 24 years since I've been to Monaca.... But Rochester is home to Buzzi's Pizza -- best stuff in the world!!!

[5stones]

I'd look into the South Hills.
Upper St Clair and Mt Lebo. are great with good schools. But it's in Allegheny County so taxes are higher.
Peter's Township/McMurray in Washington County offers Great Schools and breathing room (although it is really growing) most homes are on 1/2 acre lots unless brand new developments. some people live on acreage while others are in develpoments...mixed land use. takes about 45-1hour to get into downtown.

[wilsie2woolgather]

Yes, Cranberry's gotten overdeveloped, and waaaaayyy too fast! But drive ten minutes north and east -- where we live, not quite incidentally -- and you're in some of the most beautiful countryside.
I say this wistfully, because we're going to have to move soon and it's breaking my heart. We'll NEVER be able to afford this kind of place anywhere else in the U.S.
Within a 45 minute commute to Pittsburgh, we have a 1904 beautiful Victorian farmhouse on 20 acres, with woods and rolling pastures where our horses romp all day, with apple trees and a babbling stream, all overlooking open fields with two fish-stocked ponds. AND WE'RE NOT RICH (except in the non-monetary ways!).
We haven't put our house on the market yet, because we won't move till the fall. But if you know to stay away from the major thoroughfares with all the strip malls, you can find some wonderful places in southern Butler County.

[crimsonghost]

Originally Posted by mjd

we would still like to live somewhere very UNLIKE Cranberry, where I was last weekend. I felt like I couldn't breathe there - just my opinion.

If you meant that literally, it's not just your opinion. It's an actual fact. Pittsburgh is the worst city in the United States for Asthma sufferers.