Safe, and safer? (Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, Lebanon: crime, chapel, homes)

[mjd]

Like many other posters coming new to Pittsburgh, I am concerned about moving our family to a "safe" enviornment. Realizing that is a relative term, I am wondering if those familiar to the area could provide some insight. In our present city, those suburbs closer to the city are rich in many ways (history, culture, architecture), and primarily safe, however when significant crimes occur there, it is not as surprising as when it occurs in many (not all) communities further out. Is this true of Pittsburgh?

That being said, I would like to give our family an enviornment as safe as possible, again relatively speaking as crime can be anywhere. On the continuum I am referring to, can any Pittsburghers speak to "safer" communities? We have considered the following, but realize that due to not knowing the area we could easily be missing places: Aspinwall, O'Hara, Hampton area, Sewickley, Ben Avon, Franklin Park, Bradford Woods.

Thank you.

[stevo6]

All safe, even at night. Ben Avon and Aspinwall are "closer in" and somewhat urban, so you have a lot of non residents passing thru - maybe that makes them a bit more crime prone. You might also consider Mt.Lebanon, Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair in the South Hills. Mt. Lebanon is an older town with some charm- the other two are bedroom community suburbs.

[mjd]

Thanks so much for responding Stevo6!
I didn't realize that Ben Avon is closer is similar to Aspinwall. We are looking for the "quaint" factor, or at least interesting and original...currently in a housing "development" and want something very different. I would love Mt Lebanon I think, but for family/friends we want to stay north.

I forgot to ask also about Oakmont.

Thanks!

[stevo6]

Oakmont is nice - has some quaintness- but is a bit of a tough commute due to rt. 28 traffic. Ben Avon and Aspinwall have some very nice old homes- Ben Avon probably more of the grander old homes, but Aspinwall is in the same school district as Fox Chapel and Ohara which is a plus. Sewickley, just west of Ben Avon, is very quaint, has a lot of old homes (mansions) and is a very affluent community.

[PghREA]

Originally Posted by mjd

Like many other posters coming new to Pittsburgh, I am concerned about moving our family to a "safe" enviornment. Realizing that is a relative term, I am wondering if those familiar to the area could provide some insight. In our present city, those suburbs closer to the city are rich in many ways (history, culture, architecture), and primarily safe, however when significant crimes occur there, it is not as surprising as when it occurs in many (not all) communities further out. Is this true of Pittsburgh?

That being said, I would like to give our family an enviornment as safe as possible, again relatively speaking as crime can be anywhere. On the continuum I am referring to, can any Pittsburghers speak to "safer" communities? We have considered the following, but realize that due to not knowing the area we could easily be missing places: Aspinwall, O'Hara, Hampton area, Sewickley, Ben Avon, Franklin Park, Bradford Woods.

Thank you.

All of those suburbs are safe. I'm a long time Hampton resident. It's rare that we have a crime in our area.

[bboy36win]

Originally Posted by PghREA

All of those suburbs are safe. I'm a long time Hampton resident. It's rare that we have a crime in our area.

How does Indiana Township compare to Hampton Twp? I visited Hartwood recently but was not able to explore the surrounding streets/neighborhoods, so I didn't get a good feel for the area. I noticed the population density thins out quite a bit compared to Hampton. Why is that? Terrain? I have the same question about West Deer Twp. Thanks.

[PghREA]

Indiana Township is in Fox Chapel School district. Both Indiana and West Deer Townships are more rural than Hampton. Hampton has an excellent school district which is why it is so "built up".

[krlang223]

I was going to say Moon Township for you, but since you also want a community, I have to stick with the Route 65 corridor for you. Ben Avon, Avalon, Emsworth, Sewickley. If you would like more information, please contact me.

[mjd]

I am having a hard time finding info online about Avalon and Emsworth. Any info you could provide would be great. Thanks!

[Lookingforasafehome]

The further out you go, the safer the area in general, that is away from the city, if you can, go to westmoreland county or out in the country where there is less crime, stay away from the city and close city suburbs, esp EAST!