Possible job relocation to Coraopolis - looking to live in Beaver County (Hopewell: extended stay)

[Daisydo]

I've been researching areas in Beaver County to live in. So far, I'm liking both Hopewell and Racoon Twps. Possibly relocating to the area from Northern Virginia. I interviewed for a position that is located in Coraopolis late last week. It sounds promising that I may get an offer. Schools are not an issue. Most likely will end up renting for a bit but ultimately looking for no more than a 30 min commute. Can anyone tell me about the area and shopping (mostly basic needs type)? I will also need "temporary" housing for about 60 days. Is there anything that is reasonable? TIA.

[greg42]

What kind of area are you looking for? Rural, suburban or even old small town are possibilities. Beaver itself has a downtown with a few shops, park in the middle, etc. and farmer's market every Saturday in season. You'll still need to drive for most shopping anyway, though. Would still be within 30 minute commute, I would think, though probably at the high end of it. May depend upon what we are calling Coraopolis. Some things have that town in their address but aren't really in that small stretch along the Ohio River that is Coraopolis proper. Plenty of Beaver County (apart from along the rivers) is fairly rural, although some areas will have suburban-type housing developments.

Shopping areas would be in Center Township at the Beaver Valley Mall area in Beaver County or in the Robinson/N. Fayette area in Allegheny County, along the PA 60/I-376 highway. The latter has more variety and is reasonably convenient to, well, actually to most places in Beaver County except maybe the northern and westernmost parts.

As for short-term, years ago for work we used a place called Corporate Accommodations for a couple things, and they do have locations in Moon and Robinson. http://www.corpaccom.com/ One of those should be fairly convenient. I don't know the pricing these days, but I assume it would beat the extended stay hotels. Not sure of options other than those; most rentals are going to want at least 6 months if not a year commitment. If "renting for a bit" means more than the 60 days, you may just want to look for an acceptable rental right off, knowing it's only for a year or whatever. The short-term usually carries a significant premium.

[Daisydo]

Thanks Greg. The reason(s) for the short term is that I rent a place that I would need to give 30-60 days notice to move out plus pack and short term housing, I believe, is deductible as a moving expense whereas paying rent for 2 months on 2 places isn't. Plus, I would want to make sure the job is going to work out before I actually finalize the relocation.

I like the "small town" atmosphere where it is quiet and you can ride bikes around the town and things are laid back but where you are close enough to the larger towns and city to be able to enjoy the other amenities that they have to offer.

As far as the shopping, I was thinking along the line of local grocery store in the smaller areas - not that there probably isn't something larger closer to where the office would be on Rouser Road. I think it is fairly close to the airport.