Down to 2... Monroeville or beaver???? (Latrobe, Franklin: house, neighborhood, theatre)

[ocndvr]

Well, we decided as a family not to go with Latrobe. Good or bad, we are now down to Monroeville (Forbes) or Beaver (Heritage Valley Beaver). Once we decide what job we will take then we can start on finding a home. The pay difference is a little different compared to the hours of work. 40+ with on-call 1-3 pay would be between 165,000 to 175,000 (Beaver) Monroeville is not full time.... 4 days with on-call 1-5. Would have to drive to different locations. Pay would be in the range of 150,000 to 157,000.

For all of you who have been helping, you know that we have 3 small boys. We like the arts, theatre, sports, etc. I understand that PA has a lot of taxes... so we are still trying to see where the best place is to settle down... if there is such a place

[South Range Family]

Beaver is only 15 minutes from Ohio. That's a bonus right there.

[hornet67]

Of the two locations, while Beaver is probably the nicest town in Beaver County, I would choose Monroeville, although not as a residence.
I would think that with the income you list, you should be able to find a nice home in, say, Murrysville,an easy commute to Forbes Hospital. It also is part of a very good school district, Franklin Regional, which is definitely superior to Beaver's school district.
You could also look at homes in the Penn-Trafford School District, say in Level Green, or Penn Twp., also easy commutes to the hospital. P-T is also a good school district.
All of the locations I mentioned are in Westmoreland County, so your overall tax liability would be less than Allegheny County.
Also, while the Parkway East is a usually congested road, and will be temporarily even worse due to Squirrel Hill Tunnel construction, it does provide you with a straight shot into downtown, and, if not congested, a relatively quick one.

[Kippy]

I know that it is no longer in contention, but out of curiosity, what was the salary range for the job offer in Latrobe?

[ocndvr]

Originally Posted by hornet67

Of the two locations, while Beaver is probably the nicest town in Beaver County, I would choose Monroeville, although not as a residence.
I would think that with the income you list, you should be able to find a nice home in, say, Murrysville,an easy commute to Forbes Hospital. It also is part of a very good school district, Franklin Regional, which is definitely superior to Beaver's school district.
You could also look at homes in the Penn-Trafford School District, say in Level Green, or Penn Twp., also easy commutes to the hospital. P-T is also a good school district.
All of the locations I mentioned are in Westmoreland County, so your overall tax liability would be less than Allegheny County.
Also, while the Parkway East is a usually congested road, and will be temporarily even worse due to Squirrel Hill Tunnel construction, it does provide you with a straight shot into downtown, and, if not congested, a relatively quick one.

Thanks for the information. We are not familiar with the area since we are moving from Maine (originally from Virginia) Just wanting to make the best move for our family... and have money left to do things

[speagles84]

Originally Posted by hornet67

Of the two locations, while Beaver is probably the nicest town in Beaver County, I would choose Monroeville, although not as a residence.
I would think that with the income you list, you should be able to find a nice home in, say, Murrysville,an easy commute to Forbes Hospital. It also is part of a very good school district, Franklin Regional, which is definitely superior to Beaver's school district.
You could also look at homes in the Penn-Trafford School District, say in Level Green, or Penn Twp., also easy commutes to the hospital. P-T is also a good school district.
All of the locations I mentioned are in Westmoreland County, so your overall tax liability would be less than Allegheny County.
Also, while the Parkway East is a usually congested road, and will be temporarily even worse due to Squirrel Hill Tunnel construction, it does provide you with a straight shot into downtown, and, if not congested, a relatively quick one.

I have to agree with this. Monroeville is a great place to work but not neccessarly to live. Its not a terrible area or school, but as they said, Murrysville is much, much nicer.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by ocndvr

Well, we decided as a family not to go with Latrobe. Good or bad, we are now down to Monroeville (Forbes) or Beaver (Heritage Valley Beaver). Once we decide what job we will take then we can start on finding a home. The pay difference is a little different compared to the hours of work. 40+ with on-call 1-3 pay would be between 165,000 to 175,000 (Beaver) Monroeville is not full time.... 4 days with on-call 1-5. Would have to drive to different locations. Pay would be in the range of 150,000 to 157,000.

For all of you who have been helping, you know that we have 3 small boys. We like the arts, theatre, sports, etc. I understand that PA has a lot of taxes... so we are still trying to see where the best place is to settle down... if there is such a place

Honestly, it seems as if you should decide about the job first. Big difference between working 5 days a week or 4 days a week. 1 week on and 3 off v. 1 on and 5 off. Is your call brutal? My wife's old call was brutal every third week and it had to be done before office hours. Which meant her day started at 5. New call much is better. I personally would avoid Monroeville and work in Beaver. Then again I like the Sewickley area as opposed to Murrysville.

[greg42]

What was your house budget again? $400k or thereabouts? And 4BR? Newer vs older? I'll have to check the older thread.

Certainly Monroeville and live in those Westmoreland County areas could make sense, good schools, lots of families, but this type of area might not be one where your wife would feel less isolated, which as I recall was an issue.

Might want to look at Beaver and live in Sewickley, despite the somewhat higher cost of living in Allegheny County, although Beaver itself is also a fine town to live in, just perhaps not as nice surroundings. Both have good schools. You'd certainly cut your driving a lot by living right in Beaver, but you would again be far from the city, which would be an advantage to bumping closer like Sewickley. In the eastern vicinity there are really no towns like that to live in, apart from coming all the way into a city neighborhood, which of course results in city schools.

Which job is more appealing schedule-wise vs pay as you describe them? Not sure I really understand what all that means (edit: I see robrob has explained it a bit), but it looks like you'd work fewer regularly scheduled days and less call at Forbes for less money but more driving? Do you know what different locations you would have to drive to with the Forbes/Monroeville job? Would they be wanting you to go into the city sometimes or what?

[Hopes]

Seems to me that taking the full time job is a no brainer. That's Beaver, right?

Being part time is not only less money but less benefits, meaning you'll pay more for benefits and ultimately make even less money.

Cranberry and Sewickley would be your best options for good suburban school districts near a hockey rink.

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Seems to me that taking the full time job is a no brainer. That's Beaver, right?

Being part time is not only less money but less benefits, meaning you'll pay more for benefits and ultimately make even less money.

Cranberry and Sewickley would be your best options for good suburban school districts near a hockey rink.

Beaver really isn't that far from the hockey in Bradys Run. About ten minutes maybe.

Parks & Recreation - Ice Arena | Beaver County Government