Where are the Suburbs?? (Pittsburgh, Penn Hills: low crime, houses, neighborhoods)

[ajohnson56]

I know nothing about Pittsburgh, PA and I want to know where are the typical cookie cutter suburbs houses located? $200-230K is about what I want to spend, what specific cities/townships are there to live and raise a family, low crime and close enough to shopping and entertainment, good schools, but far enough away from the city. Thanks

[adhzedan]

I spent my preteens/teens in the area south of the city, so that's what I'm commenting on. You should look into Upper St. Clair, Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, and Peters Township (about 10 +/- miles south of downtown). If you want more info on good schools, do a search on "Blue Ribbon" schools in Pittsburgh.

[lifepgh2op]

Originally Posted by ajohnson56

I know nothing about Pittsburgh, PA and I want to know where are the typical cookie cutter suburbs houses located? $200-230K is about what I want to spend, what specific cities/townships are there to live and raise a family, low crime and close enough to shopping and entertainment, good schools, but far enough away from the city. Thanks

Cranberry Township in Butler County meets all of your requirements. Typical cookie cutter housing plans for that price range, low crime, decent amount of shopping and dining right in Cranberry and close to other areas, fine school district (Seneca Valley), and only about 25 minutes north of the city.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by ajohnson56

I know nothing about Pittsburgh, PA and I want to know where are the typical cookie cutter suburbs houses located? $200-230K is about what I want to spend, what specific cities/townships are there to live and raise a family, low crime and close enough to shopping and entertainment, good schools, but far enough away from the city. Thanks

Ohara Twp., Bethel Park, Mcandless Twp., Penn Hills, Wilkins Twp. etc. Check out the map of Allegheny County. You can point and click and get info on various burbs of the burgh.

http://www.alleghenycounty.us/munimap/index.asp

[Geeo]

Plenty of cookie-cutter suburbs. Probably hundreds of tract house developments. All with the same look, same cinder block strip malls, no sidewalks, and same chain restaurants. Looks the same in Pittsburgh as in any other city in the country. You can go right from the office into your garage and not see or interact with a sooul.

[PeterRabbit]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

Ohara Twp., Bethel Park, Mcandless Twp., Penn Hills, Wilkins Twp. etc.

Why are you suggesting Penn Hills and Wilkins?

[zip95]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

Why are you suggesting Penn Hills and Wilkins?

I assuming because there are plenty of nice neighborhoods in those two municipalities that resemble exactly what the original poster asked for.... except for the schools... but by that logic, Cranberry should be excluded since Seneca Valley isn't really a good district.

[robrobrob]

I really think you have to pick where you want to live in relation to the city. Your request is far too vague. Also, if you want a typical cookie cutter house, I assume that you want something that is new. Is this right? Pittsburgh is pretty affordable if you are willing to consider something older and smaller. However, if you want something new then you have fewer options.

[lifepgh2op]

Originally Posted by zip95

but by that logic, Cranberry should be excluded since Seneca Valley isn't really a good district.

According to http://www.svsd.net/important-news/i..._rank_2008.pdf

The only Pittsburgh metro area schools that placed higher than Seneca Valley were:
Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Hampton Township, North Allegheny, Peters Township, Fox Chapel, South Fayette, Franklin Regional, Pine-Richland, Quaker Valley, Greater Latrobe, Bethel Park, Norwin, Greensburg Salem, West Jefferson Hills, Penn-Trafford, and North Hills.

Out of those...based on the OP's price range, "cookie-cutter" housing, amenities of shopping and dining, while distant from the city but not too far... I stand by Cranberry, and suppose I'd also suggest Murrysville, Westmoreland County (Franklin Regional Schools).

I'd rule out North Allegheny and South Fayette due to prices, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair because I don't think any of the homes are cookie cutter, and the others because they either don't have cookie cutter homes, don't meet the price range, are a bit far from the city (Latrobe/Greensburg), or don't really have much going on in the way of shopping and dining (but are probably close to areas that do have it).

[rubybelle]

Originally Posted by ajohnson56

I know nothing about Pittsburgh, PA and I want to know where are the typical cookie cutter suburbs houses located? $200-230K is about what I want to spend, what specific cities/townships are there to live and raise a family, low crime and close enough to shopping and entertainment, good schools, but far enough away from the city. Thanks

Hi. Do you want sidewalks? And what is your idea of suburban? Where are you coming from? Pittsburgh is either city living or rural. Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair, perhaps Bethel Park (but not as nice) are the most suburban here in the South Hills.