Rural counties and food question (Pittsburgh, Butler: new home, school district, to live)

[Pogo]

Hey everyone,

my family and I are flying out to Pittsburgh next Sunday to check out the area since we will be moving as soon as our house here in CO sells.
I have read a lot on this board over the last months and found good information
I now have 2 more questions:

Which counties/towns should we take a look at north/ northwest out of Pittsburgh? We want to live more rural..maybe find a little farmette. Could you give any suggestions on where we should look around and where from to stay away?
I've read a lot of good things about the town of Beaver..so we wanna take a look at this one too.


2nd question:
We are traveling with a baby and a 3 year old and would need tips on where we can easily grab a good bite to eat, that is not too pricey and kid-friendly.

Thank you all so much and we can't wait to check out your city and area - our soon to be new home!

[bradjl2009]

Butler County- north of the city of Butler is when it is truly rural, not in transition from suburban to rural.
Beaver County- the northern and western parts are the more rural areas.
Armstrong County- All of it.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Pogo

Hey everyone,

my family and I are flying out to Pittsburgh next Sunday to check out the area since we will be moving as soon as our house here in CO sells.
I have read a lot on this board over the last months and found good information
I now have 2 more questions:

Which counties/towns should we take a look at north/ northwest out of Pittsburgh? We want to live more rural..maybe find a little farmette. Could you give any suggestions on where we should look around and where from to stay away?
I've read a lot of good things about the town of Beaver..so we wanna take a look at this one too.


2nd question:
We are traveling with a baby and a 3 year old and would need tips on where we can easily grab a good bite to eat, that is not too pricey and kid-friendly.

Thank you all so much and we can't wait to check out your city and area - our soon to be new home!

Beaver is a nice little town, and it seems to me, if I recall correctly, out Dutch Ridge Road and Tascawaras Road you might be able to find some acreage. In my memory Dutch Ridge Road had a few small farmettes.

I also have a fondness for the corner of Beaver County, just under Cranberry Twp (Butler County) and next to Marshall Twp (Allegheny County). There are some small farmettes/ranchettes there, and also plenty of homes with acreage -- difference being no barns or outbuildings...

That area of Beaver County has great access to Cranberry, and its shopping and kid friendly restaurants, also a nice library (although you *might* have to pay a non resident fee to use it), and with the close access to 79 and 279, you also have quick access to Pittsburgh.

Now -- I can't say anything about the schools.... I know nothing about them...

[South Range Family]

New Sewickley is near Cranberry. There is plenty of farm land there. It is also close to Zelienople.

Chippewa, and South Beaver Townships are rural yet close to shopping. They are in the Blackhawk school district.

Darlington and Enon Valley are between Chippewa, and the Ohio line.

If you want to be closer to the West Virginia border there is Raccoon, Independence, and Hookstown.

The town of Beaver is not rural, but you could go to the top of the hill to Brighton Township. They share the same school. Shop by school district, not by address.

There are plenty of Brighton Hotdog shops to eat. There is also Jerry's Curb Service if you want to stay in your car to eat.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Pogo

We are traveling with a baby and a 3 year old and would need tips on where we can easily grab a good bite to eat, that is not too pricey and kid-friendly.

Define what you mean by "good" food and "not too pricey." There's a chain restaurant around here called Eat-n-Park. It's kid friendly, reasonably priced, and the food is pretty basic---similar to what you'd find at a Denny's perhaps. I wouldn't necessarily call it "good" food, but it's not fast food junk. Is that the type of recommendation you're looking for?

[Pogo]

Thanks everyone for the responses so far. We will check out the mentioned areas.

@Hopes
I actually was thinking of local restaurants where we can go with the kids in Pittsburgh. Not too prices means just that a dinner won't cost us 50 bucks. Around $35 would be ok. We like good food...so no fast food ( my kids never even sat foot in a McD. or such. I don't know we just wanna try some of the good, yet not fancy, local places.

[onwardandupward]

Here - I'll say it - I love Eat-n-Park (heresy to some on this board )

It certainly doesn't pretend to be fine dining, but the salad bar is great, often with local fresh produce; good soups, and a wide enough variety on the menu to please kids and adults. Also, very kid friendly.

[hempfield mania]

Once you decide on a locale to reside in, people out that way can refine your search for good, locally owned small restaurants. Post up when you settle down.