Buying a home in Pine-Richland (Pittsburgh: apartment, rent, construction)

[maba]

My husband and I are planning on buying a home in Pittsburgh - we currently rent an apartment in Squirrel Hill (we absolutely love the area). We work in the city and have limited our search to the North so as to escape the tunnels. We recently saw an upcoming Ryan Home community in Pine-Richland that we are considering. We don't have children but plan on having soon. Our questions:

1. How good is the suburb in terms of taxes, commute, shopping, diversity and importantly school district?

2. How good are Ryan Homes Communities - the construction, quality of building material etc (should this be a separate thread)?

Any information or advice will be much appreciated.

[Drover]

Click here for a thread covering Ryan Homes in the Pittsburgh area.

[guylocke]

Pine-Richard is an extremely respected school district, one of the best in the state. From what I understand it's a tad bit "high society" in many areas of Pine Richlard, maybe that is right up your alley!

[PghREA]

Pine-Richland is one of the best school districts. It has easy access to I-79, I-279 and the PA Turnpike. It is about a 20 min. commute into the city.

Shopping is great - close to Ross Park Mall and Cranberry. There are new shopping centers and restaurants in the area.

Ryan is a good builder.