Areas for kids/walkable bikeable (Pittsburgh, Bethel Park: for sale, homes, neighborhoods)

[relocatingmomma2019]

Hi
I have the opportunity to relocate anywhere in the US
I have two kids 4th/5th grade. I would love some input on areas to look into.
Super important is a city that the kids can ride their bikes/walk around with their friends to go to things like parks, ice cream, trails etc. Places that we can take a nice walk together and go do things/have things to do within a reasonable walk.

Looking to purchase a home, single family for under 300k ish. I work from home so jobs in the area aren't an issue.
I am more on the crunchy liberal side, no religion, don't care about politics or religion to each is own and I prefer to know someone based on how they treat each other versus what their personal choice is.

A city with community is HUGELY important, welcoming to newcomers, and has decent farmers markets and other community events/family friendly activities.
I do like smaller-mid size communities but also feel it important to be within a reasonable drive to a larger city (90 ish minutes or so).

This is cross posted into a few areas I am considering.
I am totally open to hearing suggestions about local areas as well as any others you feel may fit the bill.

Thanks!

[Charley Barker]

In the city, the Highland Park neighborhood might be a good fit. There has been a recent influx of immigrants to that part of the city and there are active efforts to welcome newcomers. See https://Unionproject.org The park and zoo are at your doorstep. Nearby East Liberty is gentrifying with a developing shopping district alongside the more established sho]ing areas in Shadyside. HP, East Liberty, and not too distant Bloomfield all have farmer's markets. Plus this is one of the very few flat sections of the city with decent bike lanes.

Washington PA is a small town about 30 miles south of the city that might be worth a look. Things seem to be on the upswing there. Greensburg and Ligonier (smaller) to the east might fit the bill if you want to be outside the city/suburbs.

[guy2073]

The Township of Upper St. Clair Township Home Page this is not the type of neighborhood where you walk to the bar or restaurant but it has tons of parks, nature trails and activities for kids. It is close to many amenities and has a top of the line school district

[relocatingmomma2019]

Thank you for your suggestions. I will go check them out.

[svband76]

$300k won't get you too much in Highland Park or Upper St. Clair.

Maybe Mt. Lebanon. But I usually like Dormont. $300k will get you a lot. Keystone Oaks schools are very good. Maybe not Mt. Lebanon, but still. Dormont can be noiser and is more condensed. There's also Crafton. Anyway that's my two cents. Here's a nice home that leaves you some cash room for updates. Everything within walking distance. https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-14939?view=qv

[robrobrob]

There aren't a ton of homes for sale these days in the nicer parts of the city. I also think that 300,000 doesn't get you nearly as much as it did 5 years ago. Here property taxes will be a huge factor in the suburbs and in the city you have a higher income tax rate.


The other thing to consider is that our city isn't exactly flat. So, walking and biking may be more difficult depending on where you live. Aspinwall is very compact, with a great sense of community and awesome schools. But, 300,000 is borderline not enough these days. I also like Point Breeze. Close to parks and trails, good city school feeder pattern. Nice community feel. But, you have to walk to other neighborhoods for most things. Again, 300,000 may or may not be enough. Regent Square is nice too. But is a little confusing due to the school situation and property taxes. I like Morningside but not sure if I would want my kids biking there. Jancey and Chislett seem a little to busy. Under 300,000 sort of rules out or makes difficult a lot of the neighborhoods I like. I tried to give you neighborhoods where I would feel comfortable letting my kids roam.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I also think that 300,000 doesn't get you nearly as much as it did 5 years ago.

You're correct on that one.

[Charley Barker]

Originally Posted by zalewskimm

$300k won't get you too much in Highland Park or Upper St. Clair.

Maybe Mt. Lebanon. But I usually like Dormont. $300k will get you a lot. Keystone Oaks schools are very good. Maybe not Mt. Lebanon, but still. Dormont can be noiser and is more condensed. There's also Crafton. Anyway that's my two cents. Here's a nice home that leaves you some cash room for updates. Everything within walking distance. https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-14939?view=qv

That's a pretty good deal. However, that part of Mt. Lebanon is pretty hilly. Actually that's pretty much true of the entire municipality except along Washington Rd, which has a very nice business district. Also, the Beverly Rd. corridor and surrounding neighborhoods are fairly level, but I am not aware of any designated bike lanes there. One nice feature of this listing is being near the Red Line of the "T" (light rail). You can board the trains with a bicycle and be on the South Side (20-25 mins.) to pick up the bike trails that intersect at Station Square and connect to all the other river side trails. In this regard the Blue Line to Library is better as it terminates at the connection to the Montour Trail so you can go inbound or outbound and hook up with a good trail system. Bethel Park is working to connect the Montour Trail spur that terminates at Irishtown Rd. with South Park via a restricted route through the industrial park, to the Community Center, then on to the park. This will be awesome once it is completed. Hope I live long enough to see it!

[fleetiebelle]

Burghers who know more, what about Bellevue or West View?

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by relocatingmomma2019

Hi
I have the opportunity to relocate anywhere in the US
I have two kids 4th/5th grade. I would love some input on areas to look into.
Super important is a city that the kids can ride their bikes/walk around with their friends to go to things like parks, ice cream, trails etc. Places that we can take a nice walk together and go do things/have things to do within a reasonable walk.

Looking to purchase a home, single family for under 300k ish. I work from home so jobs in the area aren't an issue.
I am more on the crunchy liberal side, no religion, don't care about politics or religion to each is own and I prefer to know someone based on how they treat each other versus what their personal choice is.

A city with community is HUGELY important, welcoming to newcomers, and has decent farmers markets and other community events/family friendly activities.
I do like smaller-mid size communities but also feel it important to be within a reasonable drive to a larger city (90 ish minutes or so).

This is cross posted into a few areas I am considering.
I am totally open to hearing suggestions about local areas as well as any others you feel may fit the bill.

Thanks!

I am sort of confused as to what you want. Are you open to a small town or a suburb outside of a Pittsburgh as long as it it is less than 90 minutes? You use the word city and here the city means something specific.