Mt Leb maybe not the right choice?

[springinvermont]

Well, back to the relocation thing. Thank you all for the great info. We have a few new places to check out thanks to all of you. I'm concerned though with those of you who say that the cost of living isn't better than other places aside from housing. That is a bummer. Thanks again.

[guylocke]

I'm concerned though with those of you who say that the cost of living isn't better than other places aside from housing. That is a bummer. Thanks again.

Don't be concerned, that's ridiculous. Cost of living deals with a lot more than taxes. Pittsburgh is one of the most cost-effective big cities in all of America and has been ranked so on many, many, occasions. Local taxes are included in the rankings, btw. I'm heading to Seattle next year but financially I would be much better off in Pittsburgh. My parents let it be known incessantly. :P

[Ken_B.]

I also have to say that housing costs have to make up a large portion of the "cost of living". While in the Boston metro under 200K (190K) might buy you a tiny 1 bedroom condo (old apartment from 1971 or so) along with $250-300 in monthly condo fees, in Pitt it looks like you can actually buy NEW housing 3-4 bedroom! in certain low tax counties for 220K. Check Canonsburg.

Thats a lot of $$$ difference and alot more for your dollar every month even if gas prices aren't much differnt. I checked the housing prices in the better areas of the Philly metro where I originally come from - they are way up now too.

[guylocke]

I also have to say that housing costs have to make up a large portion of the "cost of living". While in the Boston metro under 200K (190K) might buy you a tiny 1 bedroom condo (old apartment from 1971 or so) along with $250-300 in monthly condo fees, in Pitt it looks like you can actually buy NEW housing 3-4 bedroom! in certain low tax counties for 220K. Check Canonsburg.

Yep, that's an obvious point. Besides, no one is forcing people to live in Allegheny County. Pittsburgh is actually closer the Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland County than much of its own county!! People are welcome to look into cheaper taxes if they so choose.

[Hemingway]

Originally Posted by springinvermont

Well, back to the relocation thing. Thank you all for the great info. We have a few new places to check out thanks to all of you. I'm concerned though with those of you who say that the cost of living isn't better than other places aside from housing. That is a bummer. Thanks again.

You have to gather information in order to make your decision. We came from NJ. I can tell you that on the whole, we have more in our pockets. Maybe you could do some comparisons based on where you are, versus moving here. Here are my own examples:
Groceries are generally more here than NJ.
Car insurance, we pay about 1/2 of what we did in NJ.
Car registration, we pay about 1/2 of NJ.
Gasoline is more expensive here.
Water, Sewer, Gas Heat, Electricity, We pay between 1/3 to 1/2 less here.
Tax on Goods, 7% in Allegheny Co. 6% everywhere else. Well the same things are taxed here or there, it was 6% in NJ, but I think parts of NJ have since raised it...I'll call it a draw.
Education opportunities are better to much better here.
We pay 1% of our income yearly to our town, that is strictly a PA thing.

Well, these were just some of our considerations. I hope this helps.

[gretchen25]

You're not going to find what you want tax-wise in Allegheny co. Look at Peters, and also Cecil and North Strabane Twps in Washington Co. Peters has great schools. Schools in Cecil/North Strabane (Canon McMillan school dist) are good, and you won't need private schools. Stay out of the Cranberry area--it's very congested and taxes are higher than Washington Co.

[pittsburghgal]

I've lived in the South Hills/Pittsburgh (and close to Mt. Lebo) all my life (though I recently moved to Texas, ugh). I agree that Peters Twp. and McMurray may have a lot of what you're looking for (although it is not very diverse yet, but growing). These areas are considered Washington County and so taxes are lower. I also feel that the South Hills has more going on with regards to "Holistic Health". The Giant Eagle Market District store there is awesome. Huge w/ an great produce and organic/natural foods section and fun cooking demos and seminars. Also in Peters Twp., there is a "Loafers Bread Co." a bakery and mill (lots of great whole wheat and whole grain breads and great healthy lunches) and right next store is "Sunnybridge Health Store". This is in the plaza near South Hills Bible Chapel (a great church by the way!). I've also heard for a while that Whole Foods is coming to Mt. Lebo as well as a Trader Joes. The only other place in Pittsburgh to find these stores is in the East part of the city (shadyside, east liberty). I love that part of the city too, so perhaps you might want to check out East if of Pittsburgh - Squirrel Hill? I've never lived there but love to visit that area. Someone else might have a better idea about that. :-)