Southern Pittsburgh Suburb Recommendations

[velcro21]

As much as I love the South Hills neighborhoods, a commute to Eighty-Four could get pretty long unless you are really in the southern suburbs or near I79--Bridgeville, Upper St. Clair, South Park...or maybe Jefferson Hills. If you are planning on staying for the long-term, it does make financial sense to buy outside of Allegheny county.
Renting for a year will give you a good chance to explore the entire area, though...

[commo]

You are getting excellent advice here and, as a life-long resident of Pittsburgh, I agree with everything that has been said above. Mt Lebanon, Peters, Canonsburg and Washington are all viable options but they are very, very different from each other. To make a good choice you would have to visit them all and see which would be best for you.
That being said...you really should take a long look at Mt Lebanon.

[ket126]

It all depends on what sort of neighborhood and density you are looking at. If you are looking at Washington County near the border with Allegheny, then look at Peters Twp. and Cecil Twp. The Southpointe Development is a nice area in Cecil. Its a mixed-use development with a golf course. They have condo/townhouses, residential subdivisions, and some small shops. This was all built on old farm areas so its pretty rural outside. They are both a quick jump onto the highway, but Peters is a little more built up. Near the same area but in Allegheny County, definately check out Mt. Lebanon. Its a really cool neighborhood with alot of nice old stone and brick homes. If you look north of the city in Beaver County, check out Beaver. Its a great little town with a good school. If I would pick, I'd say Mt. Lebanon. But it all depends on your preference and budget. Sorry to get off the subject with the Beave County talk since your question was about Washington, but I have to put a little plug into where I live.

[By~Tor]

If I might ask, what reasons are you choosing, to live outside Allegheny County?... Is is simply the tax structure, or are there other reasons?

I ask, because if you compare the tax savings of living outside of Allegheny to the daily commuting costs and gas, etc., you MIGHT find (like I did) that living farther away isn't necessarily the best idea, and that the inner suburbs like Mt. Lebanon & Dormont might actually fit your needs BETTER!!!

Now, if your jobs are located further south, then that might make strategic sense, of course... but if you'll be working in Pitsburgh "proper", then you really need to weigh out the benefits of proximity, before settling on any commnity....

In my case, I'll be working out of the Oakland & Green Tree areas, so Dormont was a perfect choice. Close to both of those areas, close to downtown, close (enough) to the airport, and transportation options including the "T" and multiple bus lines... If we had moved farther south, we'd not have those proximity benefits, and would likely spend alot more in gasoline and waiting in traffic.

I consider my time to be worth money, and every minute I sit idly in traffic listening to radio, I am missing out on production value... and wasting money, donating it to the Saudis & OPEC. . . . .

[PeterRabbit]

^ I am hoping for some direction as to growing towns around the Washington County area. His job is in the town of Eighty-Four, so we don't want to go north of the city and I hear taxes in Allegheny county are very high.

[By~Tor]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

^ I am hoping for some direction as to growing towns around the Washington County area. His job is in the town of Eighty-Four, so we don't want to go north of the city and I hear taxes in Allegheny county are very high.

Please read post #14.... I think this addresses your question... hopefully...

[cariad]

Originally Posted by Pabis826

Hi there. First let me tell you all how excited I am to find this site. My husband and I are relocating from Chicago to Pittsburgh for a job opportunity he had and prior to us moving into our apartment had never even been to Pittsburgh. (We are renting for a year and then plan on buying a house next spring). With that said, I am hoping for some direction as to growing towns around the Washington County area. His job is in the town of Eighty-Four, so we don't want to go north of the city and I hear taxes in Allegheny county are very high. We're young and while we don't need to be in the middle of all the action of downtown, we don't want to be in such a small down that there isn't anything to do. Are there any areas that have some great main streets of shopping and restaurants and things to do?

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Living in Washington County would be closest to 84.

Canonsburg, and Little Washington would most offer the main street/shopping areas that you are looking for. And Washington does have some lovely neighborhoods and gorgeous older homes. I'm very familiar with the main street of Canonsburg, but not the residential streets closest to it. You may also want to look in Houston, and Meadowlands, though you'll be driving to the action.

On the other side of 84 are Gastonville and Finelyville which also have some nice areas. They have Trax Farms, Mineral Beach, and a few shops, but still pretty suburban-definitely not cookie-cutter housing though.

I can't comment on School Districts if that is important to you
None of these areas offer the action of Pgh. and its suburbs, but it isn't too far of a drive.