Home Buying Guide near Cranberry Twp (Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock: live, prices, shop)

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by sammy87

typical from an internet forum. No Cranberry isn't the most interesting place, but its good for raising a family having shopping close by, easy access to the city, good place for professionals.

Most people that want a community with a soul also neglect that it most likely will have crime, crappy schools, drugs, old dilapidated housing, depreciating housing, basically a ghetto, but its close all the "exciting" things a downtown offers therefore it has a soul and great to raise a family, now all it needs is a monorail and its perfect!

Places that have nice old charm to them in Pitt are Sewickly, Squirrell hill, Shady Side, Mt Lebo, Fox CHapel. Now most of those places are $$$$ and have high taxes but you want a safe friendly place with a soul that's about it.

Bingo.

[analog808]

Remember that the prices quoted on new home sites are likely bare bones home without any upgrades or modifications. You get the lower grade flooring/carpet, unfinished basements, basic cabinets and counters, etc. Once you start adding int he upgrades, you can easily bring the cost upwards to $300k. At the $250 K price range, I would look at 10-15 year old homes that the owners have already invested in upgrades.

Generally, the countryside is beautiful where Wilson's Ridge is, but it is quite away from things in relation to the other places. I would probably chose Old Hickory Highlands over Wilson Highlands due to location, however Hickory Highlands cost is on par with Marshall Woods. The nice thing with Marshall woods is that it is close to North Boundary Park (and there is a sidewalk to get you there) as well as the Cranberry Twp YMCA (which is a really nice one).

I would also look at Zelienople. It's walkable (unlike Cranberry Twp). It's a cool town that seems to be heading in the right direction (a new microbrewery, Burghers, and Harmony nearby to name a few of many things I like about the town). It's also a lot closer to Seneca Valley Middle and High School (if you have kids).

[strawberrrylime]

Originally Posted by tclifton

From what I've read on this forum, you should be careful. Either make sure you don't have a soul before moving to Cranberry, or be prepared to have it leave you, because I've read that Cranberry is soulless.

I grew up in cranberry Twp, and I can assure everyone that I do in fact, have a soul.

[bluecarebear]

Cranberry, Zelienople, and Evans City are the same with all of the growth north. No difference except for driving distances. The same type of people and same school district. Everyone shops and takes their families to the same places. The "small" towns have done a 180 in the last 10 years. Most natives have either died or moved away so Zelie and Evans City are full of the relocated Northern suburb hipster residents. They both try to keep up the small town label but it is a façade. It is city trendy.

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by analog808

a new microbrewery

That statement is cringe worthy. I miss places like the Kaufman House and Chubby Chucks.

[FreightTrainRunning]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

That statement is cringe worthy. I miss places like the Kaufman House and Chubby Chucks.

Huh? What do you have against micro-breweries?

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by GeneW

Huh? What do you have against micro-breweries?

Too hipster for me. I prefer Mom & Pops. They have way more character. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh is slowly destroying the very thing that made the city special in order to keep up with the Joneses (other well known cities).

[doo dah]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Cranberry, Zelienople, and Evans City are the same with all of the growth north. No difference except for driving distances. The same type of people and same school district. Everyone shops and takes their families to the same places. The "small" towns have done a 180 in the last 10 years. Most natives have either died or moved away so Zelie and Evans City are full of the relocated Northern suburb hipster residents. They both try to keep up the small town label but it is a façade. It is city trendy.

Is that an oxymoron?

[FreightTrainRunning]

Microbreweries are almost all locally owned Mom & Pop run enterprises.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Too hipster for me. I prefer Mom & Pops.

Microbreweries - at the least ones we have been to - ARE Mom & Pops. Or at least a couple of hometown guys having fun brewing.