Moving to area and looking for great schools, acreage for horses and proximity to amenities! (Pittsburgh: for sale, rent)

[equestrianmom3]

Hello! This spring and summer my husband and I spent months researching and looking at homes in Columbus, OH as we intended to move there. Then he had a job offer in Prospect, PA which looks like he will accept. Our house is under contract and the buyer wants to move in as soon as it closes and we need to buy a house as soon as possible but we know nothing about where to move in the area north of Pittsburgh!!! Feeling a bit overwhelmed. We are looking for something located between Pittsburgh and Prospect which will limit his commute to hopefully under 45 minutes and perhaps have the same or less to drive to Pittsburgh whenever we want. Our budget is $450,000. We are wanting a house with acreage - 20 acres would be ideal, however, we can make do with as little as 5-7 acres. We have children at all school levels (four children 4-15) so schools are important. We got really spoiled looking in Columbus because we were able to find what we wanted with 7 acres and a barn that was maybe 20 minutes to his office and to the town center. Plus there is so much new construction around the Columbus area with lots of restaurants and new "aquatic centers" - first-rate community pools with lazy rivers and slides and zero entry access. We were going to buy a house near a Graeter's ice cream store and Pizzeria Uno which I was looking forward to (don't get me wrong; I prefer locally owned restaurants to chains but these were exceptions). Are there areas like this between Prospect and Pittsburgh? There are a few houses in South Butler we will look at but I'm a bit concerned about some comments I have read about this area such as drug use, judgmental Christians, etc. There's also a house on Hodgson Rd in Beaver Township that is promising on paper but we have no idea about the school district?? Obviously we are limited on where we can move based upon availability of houses but I would sure appreciate some pointers in the desired direction! Thank you for your time!

[Goodjules]

I'm too new to Pittsburgh to be knowledgeable about the kind of property you're looking for. But, it gets rural fairly quickly as you leave the city limits which leads me to believe that what you want is available here. I'll let other more knowledgeable posters provide suggestions about specific areas.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by equestrianmom3

... such as drug use, judgmental Christians, etc.

The same people?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

The same people?

That made me giggle. It's very possible.

[Hopes]

I don't know anything about Beaver County. Can't help you there. My sister lives in Prospect. It's very rural. You might be able to find what you're looking for within walking distance to your husband's work. I'm exaggerating but it is a possibility. 20 minutes in any direction of Prospect is rural---except to the south. It's more suburban mixed with rural but you can find acreage there too.

[hinsey86]

That's a tough if not impossible find. Eliminate being 45 minutes to Pittsburgh and your choices will increase. Finding above average schools also limits you. But you can get average schools. 20 acres is likely totally out but there may be something. For a decent house you may get 10 acres but more likely around 5 or even less. Southern Butler area (Middlesex, Penn, Forward Township area) may have some options, but again, smaller acreage. Saxonburg area is an option as well. Beaver county is doable in the price range with smaller acreage (5-10) and at least two above average school districts, but the driving distance to Prospect is likely above your limit...especially in the Winter. I live in North Sewickley in Beaver and can get to the heart of Pittsburgh, non rush hour, in about 45-50 minutes.

As far as people..I have spent a lot of time and worked in Butler County and have lived In Beaver for 18 months. I don't see either as a hotbed for any real radical thinking or drug activity. There are of course individuals who are whacked but I got that in a neighbor when I lived in Seattle. The poor neighborhoods of the city of Butler is another story but that is not an area you would be looking at anyway.

Occasionally there is an farmhouse for sale in Cranberry but all the ones we looked at were not in great shape. Areas around Zelianople might be possible too. I do think you are going to have to make some major compromises.

[UKyank]

It begs the question as to what the op does that they would be judged about as that's apparently a top concern

[Goinback2011]

I'm not getting this.

Virtually the entire area outside a few boroughs and some northern suburbs is rural, and Prospect is right next to Lake Arthur and Moraine State Park - recreation areas.

If there aren't available rural properties at this moment, maybe you should rent for awhile and take your time before buying. Get to know the area.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

I'm not getting this.

Virtually the entire area outside a few boroughs and some northern suburbs is rural, and Prospect is right next to Lake Arthur and Moraine State Park - recreation areas.

If there aren't available rural properties at this moment, maybe you should rent for awhile and take your time before buying. Get to know the area.

I'm guessing the place they liked by Columbus is Pickerington given the description. Cranberry would be a match here.

[hinsey86]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I'm guessing the place they liked by Columbus is Pickerington given the description. Cranberry would be a match here.

It is very rare to see places in Cranberry with the amount of acreage they want and in their price range.