Work near Airport; where to live best w/ school kids? (Bethel Park: how much, home)

[Potential_Landlord]

So I'll be working near the airport / a "Robinson Mall" is not too far away. My daughter will start high school and my son kindergarten. What areas would you recommend we buy a home? Obviously schools are a priority. Thanks!

[guy2073]

If schools are top priority, south Fayette, Ingram, Robinson, upper st Clair, mt Lebanon, Cecil, bethel park. These areas cover alot of budget ranges. Ingram is in the montour district along with Kennedy and I believe Robinson twp, that will be your closest commute. Mt Lebo and USC are the top districts in the area with south Fayette right behind them. Public schools in this area are very good, you have alot of choices

[Potential_Landlord]

Originally Posted by guy2073

If schools are top priority, south Fayette, Ingram, Robinson, upper st Clair, mt Lebanon, Cecil, bethel park. These areas cover alot of budget ranges. Ingram is in the montour district along with Kennedy and I believe Robinson twp, that will be your closest commute. Mt Lebo and USC are the top districts in the area with south Fayette right behind them. Public schools in this area are very good, you have alot of choices

Thanks for your quick reply! How much of a difference would there be between what you call the top 2 Mt. Lebo / USC and the other ones you mentioned? Also how much difference in commute?

[guy2073]

Your child will have access to a top of the line education with any of the schools mentioned. I would send my son to any of them. The top ten districts in the area are unbelievably good, the communities they are in are vastly different from one another. I would recommend posting what you want from a neighborhood so you are comfortable where you live and your family is happy.

[lifepgh2op]

Moon Area School District would be rated the best in the immediate Airport vicinity. West Allegheny School District and Montour School District are fine, too. These are solid, middle to upper-middle class suburbs with lots of amenities nearby.

I always considered South Fayette Township Schools to be in the South Hills, but I suppose portions of the district are an easy commute to the Airport area. If that's the case, South Fayette was just rated #1 in Western PA. The community still has a rural suburban feel but is growing rapidly and will soon have it's own shopping/dining area: Newbury Market. South Fayette has much higher property taxes in comparison to Moon, West Allegheny, and Montour. Do you have a budget?

[Potential_Landlord]

Thanks for your replies. I would say my most important thing is enough kids in the neighborhood. I want my kids to have friends nearby. My daughter is into singing / choir so if a school has such a program that would be great. Also opportunities for soccer would be good. Other than that I am looking for the usual safe and family-friendly neighborhood. My home budget would be 350k. Hope this makes sense.

[RogersParkTransplant]

It makes sense, but there's a lot of that in the general area you're describing. The biggest questions now are how much space you want for the $350k, how you feel about driving vs. walking to stuff, and how long of a drive you are willing to make to work. The airport is nicely situated for a lot of cool neighborhoods, many of which have good schools and other family-friendly amenities.

If I were in your shoes I would look at Crafton and Crafton Heights -- though I am a bit fuzzy on exact city lines, I mean the area along the Steubenville pike. Mt Lebanon is also great but probably (?) a longer commute, and the areas like Bethel Park and Upper St Clair are a little too sleepy for me, but lots of people love it. Moon is nice too, but I like the somewhat more quirky vibe around Crafton.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by RogersParkTransplant

It makes sense, but there's a lot of that in the general area you're describing. The biggest questions now are how much space you want for the $350k, how you feel about driving vs. walking to stuff, and how long of a drive you are willing to make to work. The airport is nicely situated for a lot of cool neighborhoods, many of which have good schools and other family-friendly amenities.

If I were in your shoes I would look at Crafton and Crafton Heights -- though I am a bit fuzzy on exact city lines, I mean the area along the Steubenville pike. Mt Lebanon is also great but probably (?) a longer commute, and the areas like Bethel Park and Upper St Clair are a little too sleepy for me, but lots of people love it. Moon is nice too, but I like the somewhat more quirky vibe around Crafton.

Avoid Crafton heights. Crafton is a great area but the school district is average. I forgot about moon. There has been plenty of discussions about upper st clair and mt lebanon if you do a search you can get a good idea of their differences. South Fayette has alot of good qualities but its taxes are high.

[RogersParkTransplant]

Originally Posted by guy2073

Avoid Crafton heights. Crafton is a great area but the school district is average. I forgot about moon. There has been plenty of discussions about upper st clair and mt lebanon if you do a search you can get a good idea of their differences. South Fayette has alot of good qualities but its taxes are high.

I get confused about the exact neighborhood lines out that way, sorry. Isn't there a nice school district back there? Maybe Carlynton?

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by RogersParkTransplant

If I were in your shoes I would look at Crafton and Crafton Heights -- though I am a bit fuzzy on exact city lines, I mean the area along the Steubenville pike. .

Steubenville Pike starts on the far side of the Thornburg Bridge and is all in robinson township.