Neighborhood convenient to Oakland and Cranberry: Aspinwall, Avalon, Bellevue, Greenfield?

[Hopes]

Just noticed you don't want suburbs. As much as Aspinwall is nice, it's not going to change the commute time. Most of the places you mentioned, aside from those along the Ohio River, won't change your wife's commute time very much at all. The only little town with a business district that is remotely in the middle would be West View.

If you're willing to trade being the one with the long drive, look at Zelienople and Harmony. Both cute little towns north of Cranberry. Harmony has a hippy vibe going on. They block off the roads to the town square and have live music on the weekends in the summer, a German Festival on New Year's Eve, etc. There are little artist stores scattered about. It's a tiny town but super cute. People who live in the suburban housing developments nearby go into town regularly. It's not dead.

[heartchya]

As far as commute goes I would pick Bellevue. I lived there for 20something years. It is a walking community. You can very easily walk to CVS, dollar store, Kuhn's, Lincoln Bakery, 2 coffee shops ( A and The Muddy Cup), China Sea, Luigi's ( best pizza), banks...etc etc. They also have a library, Bayne Library, which I have always thought is beautiful. It is in an old home.

Also assuming the route hasn't changed...the 500 goes into Oakland if you are interested in taking a bus. I could get from Bellevue to Cranberry in about 25 minutes.

There are 2 major down points in my opinion--Northgate School District. It is not good. If that's not a factor though then great. Taxes--They are higher and it seems like they keep going up.

Out of the communities you listed though I think Bellevue would be great. I don't think Emsworth or Ben Avon really have a shopping district you would walk too. West View's shopping district is really a shopping plaza.

Bellevue does has have a bit more grit currently--but if you weren't sold on the suburbs you will probably like it.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by heartchya

West View's shopping district is really a shopping plaza.

It has a little main street area too.

[heartchya]

Originally Posted by Hopes

It has a little main street area too.

Yes I would just consider Bellevue to be more of a "walking" community than West View. I am very familiar with both areas. But that's just my opinion.

[greg42]

Yeah, I didn't bring up West View because Bellevue is actually a more compelling business district (even with being dry I think). West View might be more directly in the middle, so to speak, but it's not significantly different time-wise vs Bellevue in either of the commute directions.

Zelie/Harmony would swap the commutes. I think that would be even more of a shock than just giving up the bike commute.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by heartchya

Yes I would just consider Bellevue to be more of a "walking" community than West View. I am very familiar with both areas. But that's just my opinion.

Bellevue is definitely more of a walking community. I offered West View as the only area with a business district that is truly in the middle.

Originally Posted by greg42

Zelie/Harmony would swap the commutes. I think that would be even more of a shock than just giving up the bike commute.

He said they weren't ready for the suburbs like Cranberry. I offered Zelie and Harmony as small town alternatives to suburban living. Harmony is a neat little town.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by Hopes

He said they weren't ready for the suburbs like Cranberry. I offered Zelie and Harmony as small town alternatives to suburban living. Harmony is a neat little town.

Eh, I just got the feeling that they also wouldn't be ready to live that far from the city. Just a feeling though. Some people also take an all-encompassing view of what is a "suburb" which could include such places even though they are more rural towns than suburbs. But it is a neat little area. You gotta go to the awesome Burgh'ers organic burger place (though this is in a strip mall off 19 in Harmony, not the denser town area).

[famouspotatoes]

Hey, thanks for all the awesome, quick responses. We thought about West View also, but haven't seen any houses we like there. Otherwise it would definitely be in the running. We looked at Mt. Washington too, but didn't find any houses we loved. That ride home from work would get me in shape fast though... I used to ride Sycamore St. for training rides.

A small town feel would be great if it were close to the city, but I think Zelienople and Harmony are just a little too far. Same goes for Sewickley.

It's nice to hear good things about Bellevue. It seemed like a very livable place, but we haven't spent that much time there so it is tough to know.

[greg42]

Mt Washington is probably better if you're going to rent. I dunno how often they put many of those up for sale. On the Duquesne Heights side you get some sales, but then you're not as close to the Shiloh business district. Don't really know but I get the feeling apart from some of the Grandview stuff that most of those places within a couple blocks of Grandview were rented. Seemed like that when I lived there anyway.

If Bellevue is where you find houses you love, I think you could do worse. But yeah, go spend some time there. Just remember to BYOB. LOL Check out Bite Bistro, just opened, sounds fantastic (in the former Vivo space, by the same owners).

[gameguy56]

As a dark horse candidate you may want to consider the Strip or Downtown. Both should have relatively easy commutes.