Exurb of the Week: Valencia (Lancaster, Butler: buying a house, buying, school district)

[runpens1]

Valencia is a very small borough (0.33 sq. mil.) located in southern Butler County in the valley of the Breakneck Creek, just across the Allegheny County line from Pine and Richland Townships and within the Mars Area School District. Much of the north is often identified by zip codes and many think of Valencia as the area of the surrounding townships Middlesex and part of Adams and likely don't know the small borough with a population of just a little over 500.

The original name of the initial small village was Brookside, and subsequently Sunnyside in the 1890s, and was changed for the railroad as another existing stop near Lancaster, PA shared the same name. It is unkown how the name Valencia was chosen. The borough was incorporated in 1896. The population gradually grew in the small town over the coming years due to the railroad industry dominating the local economy.

Today, in Valencia borough, there is not as much industrial activity going on. There is only one bus depot based within the borough's limits. There are only a couple small buildings, churches, and a small borough park. Its small population growth in recent years is primarily due to St. Barnabas Health Systems building retirement facilities within the remaining portions of the borough where there is still some open land. However, it still benefits due to its location near growing subruban areas and school district. It should continue to serve as nice area with a small town atmosphere that is clsoe enough to ameneities for its residents for many years to come.

[Formerly Known As Twenty]

Originally Posted by runpens1

Valencia is a very small borough (0.33 sq. mil.) located in southern Butler County in the valley of the Breakneck Creek, just across the Allegheny County line from Pine and Richland Townships and within the Mars Area School District. Much of the north is often identified by zip codes and many think of Valencia as the area of the surrounding townships Middlesex and part of Adams and likely don't know the small borough with a population of just a little over 500.

The original name of the initial small village was Brookside, and subsequently Sunnyside in the 1890s, and was changed for the railroad as another existing stop near Lancaster, PA shared the same name. It is unkown how the name Valencia was chosen. The borough was incorporated in 1896. The population gradually grew in the small town over the coming years due to the railroad industry dominating the local economy.

Today, in Valencia borough, there is not as much industrial activity going on. There is only one bus depot based within the borough's limits. There are only a couple small buildings, churches, and a small borough park. Its small population growth in recent years is primarily due to St. Barnabas Health Systems building retirement facilities within the remaining portions of the borough where there is still some open land. However, it still benefits due to its location near growing subruban areas and school district. It should continue to serve as nice area with a small town atmosphere that is clsoe enough to ameneities for its residents for many years to come.

My former spouse and I came very close to buying a house in Valencia. A decade or so ago, the whole area was more rural than it now is, which is something that I found to be very appealing. The only reason that we didn't buy it is because it was snapped up before we sold our Cranberry house.

When I'm in the area during gardening season, I will often stop at the greenhouse in Valencia (the one with the cafe) as it's one of my favorites.