well hey there!
I just left PGH in August after living there for approximately 18 months. In those months, we lived in two different areas- completely polar opposites of one another.
The first area we lived in was Fox Chapel. It is in Allegheny county, the schools are SUPERIOR- but you can't find anything that is halfway decent for under $400,000. And that will get you a fixer up, as most of the homes were built in the 60's and 70's. ALL of them need renovating. If you can find one for inexpensive and fix it up- there's money to be made b/c for what ever reason, Fox Chapel is "the" spot to live. However, not only are the houses high, the taxes are unbelievably high. When you go to buy a house in Allegheny county (which Fox Chapel, Mt Lebanon, Upper Saint Clair are all in-) the realtor will have you sign a paper stating that you realize your taxes will be higher than some of the outer lying counties.
One of the benefits to Fox Chaple is the proximity to downtown, the zoo and other places. 20 minutes tops and you are at heinz field, etc. The drawback is the traffic.
ANother drawback is that the residents there are, um, I will put this nicely as I can--- a bit stuck up. Sorry--- I'm not trying to be mean- if you are from there- I apologize- I know that not everyone there is that way- it just seems that a lot of them have "Old Money"- and know it.
The schools were great- but most all of Allegheny County have phenomenal schools, thus the high taxes.
9 months after we moved to Fox chapel ( we were renting) we found a house in Cranberry in Butler county that we loved.
Cranberry is a more suburban sprawl-- more of a growing- transient type area. New houses, good neighborhoods, lots of families.
The downside is the school system. That said- it is OKAY-- just not the same as Allegheny County. We moved there b/c the house that we bought was unbelievable for the amt of $ we paid- and taxes too. So it's a choice you have to make: High taxes, excellent schools vs. low taxes, okay schools.
If you need the name of a realtor- I have a phenomenal one! I have moved all over the country with DH's work and when i say that she is the best, I mean she is the best I've ever worked with. I cried when we left there b/c of her. If I could take her everywhere we moved, I would!
She found us a house in a weekend to buy- and sold our house in 5 DAYS! But she covers Cranberry, Mars-- Butler COunty. That's another thing--- realtors only work in their area- you won't have one take you from Fox Chapel to Cranberry and Moon. It's just such a big area, that they aren't well versed in all the counties and townships.
Another thing to be aware of is township tax. Some are higher than others- Allegheny is, I think, 1.5% of your salary ( someone correct this if I'm wrong--), while Butler county is 1%. There are no taxes on groceries or clothes, so you pay Township tax off of what you make in the year.
Um... I'll try to think of anything else that might help you in your search--
All in all- we had a great run in PGH! The people in Cranberry were so welcoming and nice--- in general, the people in PGH are down to earth, friendly types. There are just "pockets" where I think money is a factor in how "nice" people are, but that is everywhere you go.
Feel free to PM me with any direst questions- I'd love to help!
Jo
