Local stores in Fox Chapel? (O'Hara Township, Oakmont: houses, safe neighborhood, income)

[rose2507]

I am considering moving to O'Hara Township and wanted to find out whether there exists a town/business section in O'Hara or the Fox Chapel area? Such as local bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream etc. After visiting the area I only saw the Waterworks Mall. I really would like a town like feel where I could walk or drive to local "hangout" places. Where do the people in Fox Chapel go to get their coffee, mingle, etc?

[nuwaver88]

Your best bet would be the Borough of Aspinwall. Aspinwall is a safe, somewhat affluent town adjacent to The WaterWorks. There are two rather small business districts. On Brilliant Avenue, there is Aspinwall Coffee and Creamery, a neat hardware store called J & W Variety, and great restaurant called Luma. Over on Commercial Avenue, there is the Aspinwall Grille, Towne Drug and Mio Italian Restaurant. Tom & Tuds and 301 are a couple other nice watering holes.
Since O'hara Twp. Is suburbia, or a bedroom community, it really does not have it's own town center. Aspinwall is considered part of the O'hara twp/Fox Chapel area and is really the town center of the area.

[rose2507]

Thanks for the information. I have been to Aspinwall and it seemed very pleasant at first. But after looking at a few houses, I noticed that some areas were not so good and I am looking for a safe neighborhood. Do you know of other "towns" that would be approx. 20-30 minutes from Shadyside (where I work)?

[PeterRabbit]

Oakmont

[onwardandupward]

Originally Posted by rose2507

Such as local bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream etc. After visiting the area I only saw the Waterworks Mall. I really would like a town like feel where I could walk or drive to local "hangout" places. Where do the people in Fox Chapel go to get their coffee, mingle, etc?

Oakmont has a great bakery, a number of coffee shops, an ice cream shop, restaurants and boutiques, and is very safe. It should definitely be on your list of places to check out based on what you're looking for.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by rose2507

Thanks for the information. I have been to Aspinwall and it seemed very pleasant at first. But after looking at a few houses, I noticed that some areas were not so good and I am looking for a safe neighborhood. Do you know of other "towns" that would be approx. 20-30 minutes from Shadyside (where I work)?

Is there a particular reason you aren't looking in some of the neighborhoods near (or for that matter including) Shadyside? For example, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Regent Square (my neighborhood) all have walkable commercial areas popular with local residents.

[rose2507]

I am also looking into Sq Hill and Regent Sq (Shadyside is too expensive). O'hara is on my list as well b/c of it's close proximity to Shadyside (work) and the income/property taxes are less than in the City and the houses are newer and more land.

[Mr. Mon]

[quote=rose2507;5236334]Thanks for the information. I have been to Aspinwall and it seemed very pleasant at first. But after looking at a few houses, I noticed that some areas were not so good and I am looking for a safe neighborhood.[quote] I have never heard of Aspinwall described as anything but safe, so I'd be interested in what has led you to think that. Even neighboring Sharpsburg, which could be described as "not so good" in appearance, is safe for families.

[jerry200]

stay out of Oakmont, unless you want to wait 20 minutes to get across the purple bridge in the morning.