I’m looking for communities in and around Pittsburgh that fit this description: (Penn Hills: houses)

[Princess_Bookworm]

For a college research project that I'm working on, I"m looking for communities in and around Pittsburgh that fit this description:

-- Populated by older, retired middle-to-upper class folks;
-- Predominantly white;
-- The community is in slow decline, i.e., property values are going down;
-- Young families and upwardly mobile young professionals are NOT moving there;
-- Within an hour drive of Downtown Pittsburgh.

(For example, Verona and the eastern parts of Penn Hills would fit the bill, as would,in my opinion, Cheswick and Lower Burrell.)

Let me know if places like White Oak, Turtle Creek, Wilmerding and Forest Hills are what I'm looking for, as well as your thoughts as to communities that would fit the bill.

[Hopes]

I disagree about Cheswick and Lower Burrell. While there is a significant retired population (as all areas of Pittsburgh), there are younger families moving into the areas. Cheswick is a starter home neighborhood these days. The property values are holding fairly steady for what is available. The problem is that the houses in Cheswick used to be middle class houses, but now they are too small by today's standards. As a result, people are buying these houses as starter homes. I personally know three young professional couples who recently bought houses in Cheswick.

The problem you have with Penn Hills has nothing to do with an older population and everything to do with white flight. Even though there wasn't a significant percentage of black families moving into the eastern part of Penn Hills, the fact that the school system was viewed as declining due to the influx of black residents in other areas of the district is a significant factor in why the eastern part of Penn Hills might be losing property value. Turtle Creek and Forest Hills also fall into that category. The problem is the school district, not the aging population.

[Princess_Bookworm]

What other areas have a school district in decline?

[Little Mizz Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Princess_Bookworm

What other areas have a school district in decline?

Penn Hills

Steel Valley (serving Munhall/Homestead)

Sto Rox (serving McKees Rocks)

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by Princess_Bookworm

What other areas have a school district in decline?

Woodland Hills. Any of the former Churchill Area School District communities fit your description -- Churchill, Wilkins Township, and Forest Hills.

[Princess_Bookworm]

Anyone else?