Looking for a convenient place to live in pittsburgh (Ross Township: to rent, homeowners insurance)

[aml87]

Hi everyone!

My boyfriend and I are planning to move in together come this August, but we have a commute issue. We need to find a place that is about an equal commute to Beaver Falls (for him) and to Oakland (for me). We were thinking about some of the neighborhoods off of 279-S, but other people have suggested trying places around Route 65. I'm from the North Hills, so that is really the only area/roads that I am familiar with. We are looking for a place with reasonable rent as well as the best commute for the both of us. Any suggestions will be welcomed!

[pghcleak]

Hmm...I think the only suggestion I can come up with is Moon Township.

He could commute up 60 N to Beaver Falls (probably about 20 miles from Moon). If I'm not mistaken, I think Beaver Falls is the last exit on 60 before it becomes tolled so that would be good news.

And you could commute the Inbound Parkway West (60/22/30/I 279/376) to Oakland (probably about 15 miles)

I think Moon would be right in the middle of both commutes. You're close to the Airport and neighboring Robinson Twp. has tons of shopping and restaurants. Moon Twp. is also home to Robert Morris University so there should be some affordable housing to rent.

I'm not too familiar with what is around Route 65...it seems to me with your commutes you would want to be closer to an expressway but maybe someone else may have a better suggestion?

[Wendelyn Piquette]

In that area, depending on your price range are: Bellevue, Avalon, Emsworth, Sewickley (all along 65), Moon Twp, McKees Rocks, and you could also consider Greentree, Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, Beechview, or Robinson Twp (farthest).

[carolmci]

Originally Posted by aml87

Hi everyone!

My boyfriend and I are planning to move in together come this August, but we have a commute issue. We need to find a place that is about an equal commute to Beaver Falls (for him) and to Oakland (for me). We were thinking about some of the neighborhoods off of 279-S, but other people have suggested trying places around Route 65. I'm from the North Hills, so that is really the only area/roads that I am familiar with. We are looking for a place with reasonable rent as well as the best commute for the both of us. Any suggestions will be welcomed!

Hi there,
An ideal solution to your needs is Thornburg borough. It is approx. 1 mile from I79 off of Rte 60, and 30 min from Oakland if driving (less if traffic is light). Another option is the PAT busway that goes from the Crafton area to Oakland. It is small community that is 15 minutes to the Robinson Mall and 20 minutes to downtown Pittsburgh and 25 minutes to the Pittsburgh Airport.

[gretchen25]

go robinson or moon... easy parkway access for both of you.

[Bong477]

Live in the north... oakland commute is tough from anywhere else, like robinson or moon during rush hour. If you're doing off hours, it matters much less. Doubt it matters much whether you are on 65, 279, or 79... should be good regardless.

We live in Ross Township, commute to Oakland is 15-20minutes without traffic, 30mins during rush hour. Getting to beaver falls wouldn't be hard either. Sewickley, Wexford, etc would all be fine.

[pghcleak]

agreed that the North Hills has a much smoother commute. Wish I could afford the property taxes to live there

[Wendelyn Piquette]

Keep in mind that your property taxes within Allegheny County are going to about the same for the same priced house no matter where it's located. Your property taxes are based on the market value of the home. If there's a large discrepancy between current valuation and your purchase price, it's a high probability that the school district will apply for the county to reassess the value, based upon the recent transaction price. So just try to keep in mind what the new tax amount would be, and budget for it.

You can reduce costs in other ways, though. If you buy a house that's been kept up well, including plumbing, electrical and roof updates, and you maintain a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors and other safety features, you could have some really good savings on your homeowners insurance.

[CaptainObvious]

I lived in Moon for a number of years...45 minutes to Downtown in rush, 30 to Beaver Falls. Avoid the Parkway at all costs no matter what in rush hour. I tried it 10 or so times over a few years and it took well over an hour each time. The best commute from Moon to the city is through Kennedy Township, over the McKees Rocks Bridge, and then into town via the Fort Duquense bridge. An alternative would be to go all the way down Carson from the Rocks and up onto the Fort Pitt Bridge, but Carson gets backed up often.

Having said all that- I think somewhere off of 65 would be a poor choice- 65 is horendus in the morning for driving to the city and only hurts the drive out to Beaver County. The Moon commute isn't any better or worse than the towns along 65 (Sewickley, Ben Avon, Bellevue) but the commute to Beaver County is great from Moon with it's easy access to 60.

[right-here-i-say]

If you lived in a Van down by the river that would make for a pretty good commute.