Which Pittsburgh Suburb Is the Best? (Bethel Park, Mount Lebanon: low crime, house, neighborhoods)

[adenlee]

I am currently living in the mid-west (Dakotas). Thanks to COVID, I plan to work remotely full-time next year, which gives me the freedom to move away from my current city and state. It surprises me that Pittsburgh has many amazing suburb areas, such as South Park, Bethel Park, etc. I am wanting to buy a house in one of the Pittsburgh suburbs but know very little about them despite my online research. I would prefer to live in a nice area with little crime, affordable housing and lower real-estate and income tax.

I am not sure about the job opportunities outside of Pittsburgh in those suburbs. In case I need to return to work physically in the future, am I most likely commute to Pittsburgh for work? How good or bad of the traffic from the suburbs to Pittsburgh?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated!

[PenguinsFan14]

South Park is a good choice. It's actually a pretty underrated suburb in my opinion. It has low crime, affordable homes, the small school district isn't amazing, but not terrible either, and T access to downtown.

The problem with South Park is that traveling Rt. 88 sucks bad and if you work anywhere other than downtown the commute can be terrible.

[szug-bot]

adenlee, i think you can't go wrong in looking around North Park*. Except for total car dependency, modern living probably doesn't get much better than that. That area, collectively referred to as the North Hills, has nice shopping areas, two excellent school systems, etc.

There are areas of slow moving traffic, but i've lived in larger cities - this is kid's play. In some areas, for example north of McKnight Road/Peebles Road, the density is low enough that its pretty much free flow, easy driving at all times.

We have N. Hillians in this forum who likely can add to, correct, or edit my words.


*please don't be confused - there are actual county parks, North Park and South Park. But there is a South Park Township as well, but there is no North Park Township, in case you did not know.

[qwerty01]

Having lived in Pittsburgh for a decade now across 4 different areas, I would recommend the South Hills. Look at Mt Lebo, Bethel Park, Dormont, or South Park.

[guy2073]

If you are looking for lower taxes look at Cecil township. It is in washington county but on the border of Allegheny county. If you want to be in Allegheny county collier township is another good choice for low taxes. Both areas have a more rural feel while being close to amenities.

[JDFury]

Can you tell us more about what's important to you?

Walkability to basic services?
Easy access to downtown for cultural and sporting events?
Regarding the potential commute to downtown: Are you willing to use public transportation?
How important is an actual "real" suburb vs. a city neighborhoods that "feel" like suburbia? (Brighton Heights or Observatory Hill fit this mold in my experience.)

[rowhomecity]

Pittsburgh does have so many great suburbs.

I prefer the South Hills (Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Claire) over the North Hills, because you have direct access to the T (Pittburgh's mass transit high speed light rail). If that is important to you, then that is something to consider.

[svband76]

It's hard to beat Mount Lebanon. Taxes are on the high side but you get good value for it. A+ school district and a police force that really works hard. Beautiful unique homes. Walkabilty and the public transportation. Dormont is good second choice, Keystone Oaks is a good school district however the council is often a joke.

[PghPatriot]

Oakmont is very nice. Good school district, great walkable central business district, one of the best bakeries in the city, and convenient to the turnpike, 28 into town, and lots of back ways to get into town through the east end.

[Independentthinking83]

Beaver Borough