Thinking about moving to PA, but don't know where to live. (Pittsburgh: chapel, cheap house)

[ninaxela]

I want to be a short driving distance from Pittsburgh. Doesn't have to be 5 minutes away, but I'd like it to be close enough that the teenagers in the backseat won't get restless and start asking "geez, how many more miles?"

Even if it puts a little more distance between us and Pittsburgh, it has to have cheap houses. My maximum for a house is about 100k. It doesn't have to be a huge, fancy house or anything. Where I live now, houses that are ≤100k are either falling apart or in a rural (and usually dangerous) area, and I'd just rather not have to choose between the two.

As I mentioned before, there are teenagers in the family. One of them has a very hard time being challenged in school, so a good high school (or at least a high school that offers a multitude of challenging courses) is another must.

I'd like it to be fairly safe. Not necessarily "I walk around at 3AM alone! " safe. Just...safe.

Last (and definitely not least) is that there needs to be things to do. The kids are bored to tears where we are now (literally!). They generally enjoy taking walks and just looking at things, so it doesn't have to be anything huge. Maybe a good non-grocery shop or two. A good mall even better.

Are my standards too high for my budget? I don't mind if the area has that "small town" feel. I just don't want to be trapped in that small town bubble. I've been in the areas around Pittsburgh multiple times, but I've never actually considered moving there until now, so I didn't really pay much attention to the areas.

Thank you for reading this novel of a post!

[Hopes]

For a good school district with housing within your budget, I recommend West View in the North Hills School District.

There are some affordable options in Ross Township, which is a more upscale part of the North Hills School District compared to West View.

Almost every school district has a few random houses under 100k because there are older houses sprinkled throughout every area.

There are some in McCandless and Richland, almost everywhere. Just come house hunting and see what's available.

[ninaxela]

Originally Posted by Hopes

For a good school district with housing within your budget, I recommend West View in the North Hills School District.

There are some affordable options in Ross Township, which is a more upscale part of the North Hills School District compared to West View.

Almost every school district has a few random houses under 100k because there are older houses sprinkled throughout every area.

There are some in McCandless and Richland, almost everywhere. Just come house hunting and see what's available.

Thanks for answering!

[BrianTH]

You could check out Sharpsburg in the Fox Chapel School District. That's one of our top school districts, but Sharpsburg in particular is relatively inexpensive (it is a bit rundown, but safe), and it is close to the action in the City.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by ninaxela

Thanks for answering!

I couldn't have put it any better than Hopes.

Ross/West View will probably prove to be your best bets. While quite affordable, both municipalities feed in the highly esteemed North Hills School District.

Some other good districts in which you're likely to find luck:
Norwin
Bethel Park
Penn-Trafford
Moon Area

Even Fox Chapel and Quaker Valley could prove lucrative.

Keep in mind that while greater Pittsburgh home prices are low, taxes tend to be high, so you may need to adjust your budget accordingly. Best of luck!

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

You could check out Sharpsburg in the Fox Chapel School District. That's one of our top school districts, but Sharpsburg in particular is relatively inexpensive (it is a bit rundown, but safe), and it is close to the action in the City.

Sharpsburg is aweful. The OP can find better housing with larger yards for under 100k in much better places.

There are houses within her price range in North Hills SD, North Alllegheny SD, and Pine Richland SD. All very good school districts. And the housing and neighborhoods are much nicer than Sharpsburg.

It blows my mind how some people fail to realize that North Hills is one of the area's top school districts too.

[PreservationPioneer]

Have you checked out Greensburg, PA? It's a very nice small city, within about 30-40 minute drive to Pittsburgh. It's a clean and safe town with very affordable homes. There seems to be quite a bit to do in Greensburg, while also being close to the Pittsburgh attractions.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

Have you checked out Greensburg, PA? It's a very nice small city, within about 30-40 minute drive to Pittsburgh. It's a clean and safe town with very affordable homes. There seems to be quite a bit to do in Greensburg, while also being close to the Pittsburgh attractions.

Greensburg is too far. It's 50 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic. My grandparents lived in Greensburg. As a kid, I remember feeling like the drive was ENDLESS. The OP would definitely hear "How many more miles?" driving between Greensburg and Pittsburgh.

[PreservationPioneer]

Well, how about Ingram, then? Safe, located within the Montour School District, close to town, affordable homes..

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Sharpsburg is aweful. The OP can find better housing with larger yards for under 100k in much better places.

Yeah, Sharpsburg is somewhat rundown, but it is also very well-located. I'm not insisting it is better than other suggestions, but I think it is a tradeoff the OP can consider.