Moving to Pittsburgh Metro: Rochester, PA? (Philadelphia, Monaca: crime rates, houses, neighborhood)

[kurttarvis]

Hey all.

My family of four (The misses, two daughters 7 and 9, myself) are looking to relocate to the Pittsburgh area from the Charleston/Huntington, WV area. We both work in telecom and our company has an office we already got approval to work out of based in Pittsburgh.

I am originally from the Greater Boston, MA and lived in the Philadelphia Metro area for a few years about a decade ago and have been in West Virginia for a few years now. I am familiar with Pittsburgh proper and some of the very nearby communuties as I used to travel out here quite a bit.

After some research, I have my eyes on Rochester and its surrounding area. We have a great aunt who lives in Rochester which is a bonus. There are a few homes in my ideal range of $120-150k. Most appear move in ready, but some work is fine with me as I am able to do a lot of work from my previous trade.

I know crime rates in Rochester are above the national average but am looking for some input on Rochester or other comparable areas that are within a 50 minute drive to Pittsburgh. Pros and cons? Schools? Areas to run far away from?

Thank you!

[eschaton]

If I had to live in that area, I'd choose to live a little bit further west in Beaver, PA. Better schools and a nice little walkable downtown area.

I don't see anything exactly in your price range, but there are a few contingent houses in the range you're looking at, and a few homes still on the market which are around $160,000-$170,000.

Where is your job located exactly?

[Gypsy3n8]

Rochester is not a place I would raise kids. Sorry, but it isn't. The downtown area is unsavory, with several biker bars.


I agree with the suggestion of Beaver, PA or Bridgewater, PA across the river. Even Monaca is a nicer town than Rochester.

[Charley Barker]

Beaver, PA is one of my favorite towns in the region. Safe, FLAT!, walkable with a very diverse and desirable business district. A beautiful, varied housing stock to boot. It is downwind from the new RDS cracker plant, so I don't know if that will have an impact on air quality or not. Being closer may actually be better than farther away.

[kurttarvis]

Originally Posted by eschaton

If I had to live in that area, I'd choose to live a little bit further west in Beaver, PA. Better schools and a nice little walkable downtown area.

I don't see anything exactly in your price range, but there are a few contingent houses in the range you're looking at, and a few homes still on the market which are around $160,000-$170,000.

Where is your job located exactly?

Thank you! I will check out Beaver!

It is located in the Greenfield area of Pittsburgh, however, I am able to perform my job remotely but still would need to visit the site a couple of times per year and I do not mind driving.

[kurttarvis]

Originally Posted by Charley Barker

Beaver, PA is one of my favorite towns in the region. Safe, FLAT!, walkable with a very diverse and desirable business district. A beautiful, varied housing stock to boot. It is downwind from the new RDS cracker plant, so I don't know if that will have an impact on air quality or not. Being closer may actually be better than farther away.

Thank you for that information. Researching some more right now! So far everyone seems to like Beaver here

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by kurttarvis

It is located in the Greenfield area of Pittsburgh, however, I am able to perform my job remotely but still would need to visit the site a couple of times per year and I do not mind driving.

Greenfield is a mostly residential neighborhood in the city, so that's a bit odd as a work location. Still, there's a 376 exit right there, so you wouldn't have to drive on surface streets through most of the city, which opens up a lot of locations in the metropolitan area for a sporadic commute.

[kurttarvis]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Greenfield is a mostly residential neighborhood in the city, so that's a bit odd as a work location. Still, there's a 376 exit right there, so you wouldn't have to drive on surface streets through most of the city, which opens up a lot of locations in the metropolitan area for a sporadic commute.

Well, turns out I was completely wrong on that location. There is a steet in Greenfield that bears the same name as my company... Big oof there. I asked my HR for the location and he said it's on Industry Drive in Coraopolis. Looks to be near the airport. I am sure that correct location makes a lot more sense

[Gypsy3n8]

Beaver to Coraopolis is an easy drive.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by kurttarvis

Well, turns out I was completely wrong on that location. There is a steet in Greenfield that bears the same name as my company... Big oof there. I asked my HR for the location and he said it's on Industry Drive in Coraopolis. Looks to be near the airport. I am sure that correct location makes a lot more sense

That's actually a good location if you want to live in the Beaver area and don't mind taking the Turnpike and paying for tolls. It will be a nice, quick highway commute.

Of course, there are also surface routes as well.