Job Opp near Ross Mall -- and no clue about area! (Pittsburgh: sale, apartments)

[stremba]

To OP:


To answer your question about townships: in PA, unlike Maryland, there is no such thing as an unincorporated area. Every square inch of the state is part of some incorporated local municipality, no matter how unpopulated the area is. There are four different types of local municipalities in PA:


1. Cities: pretty self explanatory, generally (but not always) the largest and most historically important municipalities.
2. Towns: Really a historical relic. This designation is not much used. I believe there are two of these in the state.
3. Boroughs: Generally smaller independent towns and suburbs of cities. Can be quite large (10's of thousands) in population.
4. Townships: Generally were historically areas that were not built or developed; essentially the rural areas of the state. With later development, especially in suburban areas, though, many are now quite heavily populated and can be larger than many boroughs.


The municipal government type in a given area generally is historically derived. Cranberry Township, for example, until the post-WWII era was rural farmland. Zelianople (sorry if I misspelled) was historically a small town in the same general vicinity as Cranberry Township. Zelianople is a borough because of this. The division between cities and boroughs often, but not always is population based. Most places that seem to be cities are in fact cities, the obvious ones being areas like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton, Erie, etc. There are some exceptions though for places that once were much larger and more important than they are today. The most glaring (and I only really know about it because it was my father's home town), is the small "city" of Parker PA. Today, there are at most a few hundred residents in Parker. It is a city, though, not a township or a borough. It is located in the northwestern part of the state, near the Franklin/Titusville area on the Allegheny river, and was a much larger city during the logging and oil booms in the 1800's.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

Well, it's all about what you prefer. Would you rather wake up in a larger, newer home, sending your kids to one of the best school districts in the area?

Or 615 S Aiken,*Shadyside,*PA, 15232 | Shadyside Real Estate

You can get an older, more historical home, in one of the best neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh. Not sure about the schools this Shadyside home feeds into... but again, it's what works best for you.

Exactly. Everyone has a different standard of living and can't comprehend the actual differences.

[xdv8]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

Well, it's all about what you prefer. Would you rather wake up in a larger, newer home, sending your kids to one of the best school districts in the area?

Or 615 S Aiken,*Shadyside,*PA, 15232 | Shadyside Real Estate

You can get an older, more historical home, in one of the best neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh. Not sure about the schools this Shadyside home feeds into... but again, it's what works best for you.

Yes, I'm aware it comes down to personal preference. I was just making a small comment about the property taxes.

[eschaton]

I'd never suggest that someone who is going to work in the suburbs live in the city, unless they're die-hard into that sort of lifestyle.

If the OP's husband was looking at a job downtown though, I might try to convince them to try out Squirrel Hill or Shadyside in that price range.

[lifepgh2op]

Originally Posted by xdv8

Yes, I'm aware it comes down to personal preference. I was just making a small comment about the property taxes.

Right, I'm just not aware of anyone that left the city for the suburbs to escape high taxes. Allegheny County has high taxes all around. Now, leaving Allegheny County for Butler County, I have heard of because you can still get a nice home, good schools, and access to amenities while saving money on the tax bill. As erieguy pointed out, $5k savings in taxes is a big deal; especially over a long period of time (in 10 years, that's $50k in savings).

[xdv8]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

Right, I'm just not aware of anyone that left the city for the suburbs to escape high taxes. Allegheny County has high taxes all around. Now, leaving Allegheny County for Butler County, I have heard of because you can still get a nice home, good schools, and access to amenities while saving money on the tax bill. As erieguy pointed out, $5k savings in taxes is a big deal; especially over a long period of time (in 10 years, that's $50k in savings).

Ok? I have that user blocked, so I didn't that comment. Once again, I was just surprised the taxes were similar. Also, saving money isn't everything to everyone. I personally wouldn't make that choice for $50k over 10 years, but I can see how to someone that would be important.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by xdv8

Ok? I have that user blocked, so I didn't that comment. Once again, I was just surprised the taxes were similar. Also, saving money isn't everything to everyone. I personally wouldn't make that choice for $50k over 10 years, but I can see how to someone that would be important.

Depending on your salary, factoring in income tax could make it much more than $50k.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

615 S Aiken,*Shadyside,*PA, 15232 | Shadyside Real Estate

You can get an older, more historical home, in one of the best neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh. Not sure about the schools this Shadyside home feeds into... but again, it's what works best for you.

Socially speaking, this neighborhood would feel more like living in non-McMansion Bethesda. How is the commute to Ross Park Mall, though?

[Paul2421]

it is hilarious all of the diversity talk on this thread when there isn't a house for sale under 500k in bethesda.

[lifepgh2op]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Socially speaking, this neighborhood would feel more like living in non-McMansion Bethesda. How is the commute to Ross Park Mall, though?

11 miles...not bad