Monaca and the Beaver County area (Pittsburgh, Washington: insurance, houses, good schools)

[CharmCity]

I'm considering a job in the Monaca area. Can you please recommend some communities that I might want to consider living in? I'd like someplace with a small-town feel, maybe even country property. I have lived in a major city for years, but grew up in a very small town. I'd like something that gives easy access to the amenities of Pittsburgh, but is far enough away that it doesn't feel urban. I have seen some interesting properties listed in Bridgeport and Beaver Falls. Any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

[Pitt Chick]

Beaver is very nice for that small-town feel.
If you want land, you can up the hill outside New Brighton and find nice lots/houses in North Sewickley Township.

[schleppenheimer]

I second that -- Beaver is a REALLY nice small town, with a lovely downtown, and just a great small-town feel.

[CharmCity]

Thanks for the info! Are Beaver and Beaver Falls one and the same? I've seen some interesting properties listed for Beaver Falls.

[Jay_F]

My family is from Beaver, and it is indeed a nice place especially for Beaver County these days. It's very convenient for travel to the airport, and you have the river, woods, and a lot of other things to do. I love the old, well kept homes on 4th street, eating at Bert's and Jerry's, fishing along the river... Beaver is the county seat, and still feels pretty vibrant.

Beaver Falls is where the other half of my family is from, and unfortunately, the actual city is in very steep decline. It was once a very thriving city, but the massive loss of jobs with nothing coming in has doomed it. The 15010 ZIP for BF goes out a long way to include Chippewa, which is a pretty nice area in its own right, with good schools. This ZIP also includes South Beaver TWP, which has a lot of rural living, and relatively inexpensive housing.

Best of luck.

[Pitt Chick]

Beaver and Beaver Falls are very different!

I would avoid downtown Beaver Falls... but the 15010 ZIP also includes North Sewickley Township, which is very nice.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by CharmCity

Thanks for the info! Are Beaver and Beaver Falls one and the same? I've seen some interesting properties listed for Beaver Falls.

If by "interesting", you mean inexpensive, that's true. I agree with everyone who says downtown Beaver Falls is in decline, sadly, I would add. In addition to the other communities mentioned, I would suggest Patterson Hts, and Patterson Twp, which are closer to Monaca than N. Sewickley, Chippewa and S. Beaver.

[Tallysmom]

I haven't lived in Monaca for 24 years, but I found the town charming. I lived on 9th and Washington, but the bridge was closed when we lived there -- and we lived in the top floor of a converted house, ever the insurance office that was there. I believe the house burned down?

Any how, I liked it there. But we were young marrieds and in our first home, flush with love and not much else -- what's not to be happy about?