never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Posted: 12/4/2024 1:28:56 PM EDT
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I grew up outside Kutztown and worked in West Reading after going to school near Carlisle. My wife is from the same area plus lived in Lancaster for a bit. I interview next week for a job out of Pittsburgh area but haven't spent more than 3 or so days there my whole life. We left PA for TX a few years ago, and now are in GA in the ATL suburbs. I don't miss winter snow but there's a salary that will get me willing to move back up there. Don't know if they will offer it, but I'll know it when I hear it. Her parents are by Raystown Lake and other family in Reading, and my aging parents are where I grew up. We now have 2 young kids in elementary school, and while I really do enjoy living in the south, the job market for me here is not ideal. What's it like in the areas in and around Pittsburgh? I know I'm supposed to stay out of the city proper for taxes but otherwise pretty open to a commute up to 45 or so minutes away. Job is in person so I'd have to commute but my wife works remote. With selling the home here we may be able to buy in the ~$800k range up there. Where should I look, avoid, know about the area, and consider before going any further? We like to hike and get outdoors, swim with the kids in the summer, take beach trips, that kind of thing when we can. Also want some access to restaurants and population but don't need to live in the thick of it. |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
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There was a time when the airport was being renovated, that saw a rapid increase in population in the general area. At that time, many small towns right across the border in Ohio saw much of the increased population because of lower taxes and, even back then, a more conservative atmosphere among other things. Live in Ohio work in PA. IMHO, that's still a viable option however, if you would choose to consider it, beware of property prices that seem to good to be true; after the large Norfolk Southern train derailment they likely could be. I say this as a resident of East Palestine where we had a large influx of people back then because you can realistically be at the airport in 35-40 minutes. |
never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Originally Posted By bulump: stay out of Allegheny County. Washington County is where it's at (and where we live). WAAAAAAAAY less taxes hands down. Peters Township, I guess (we don't have children), has a great school system. I found this house just poking around and I absolutely love it~! https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1274-State-Route-40-W-Claysville-PA-15323/49765461_zpid/ Also a 26 acre horse farm that looks kinda amazing. I haven't lived that rural with kids yet, might be interesting. I don't know, haven't even been offered the job so not trying to get too ahead of myself but want to go in with good info. Originally Posted By m_lowlander: I'm in Washington County. Raised 2 kids here and its good. Im in Peters and its a good community with a 3 to 1 R to D ratio. nice yeah that looks pretty "small town" and I do like that about it. Living in Dallas and now ATL I'm certainly no stranger to a built up area but it gets old. Originally Posted By KoolOperator: Welcome back to PA. I'll be moving back in the spring but to the other side of the state. It's easier to drive 4 hours to help old parents than 12. ETA only people I knew out that way lived in Fayette county and liked it there. thanks, haven't made the call but wanted to get an idea before getting crazy in the process. Seems like some real estate is super cheap, but it's colder and darker a lot of the year, too. I don't miss that, it's about freezing here now and the thought of doing that for months at a time is not sitting well. |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
@MacManus
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Originally Posted By Y-T71: There was a time when the airport was being renovated, that saw a rapid increase in population in the general area. At that time, many small towns right across the border in Ohio saw much of the increased population because of lower taxes and, even back then, a more conservative atmosphere among other things. Live in Ohio work in PA. IMHO, that's still a viable option however, if you would choose to consider it, beware of property prices that seem to good to be true; after the large Norfolk Southern train derailment they likely could be. I say this as a resident of East Palestine where we had a large influx of people back then because you can realistically be at the airport in 35-40 minutes. There was a huge marketing blitz maybe 20+ years ago for people to locate in Steubenville. The Burb of the Burgh. But you get out of Steubenville a few miles and it is very nice country and not populated too heavy - like past wintersville. I live in the northern part of westmoreland county and like it for the most part. A little more populated now The countryside out of Greensburg is nice, especially if you get some land on one of the ridges and the view is great looking east, and laurel ridge and some other mountain ridges. There are some really nice views down in Washington county too especially on rt40 east of 84 Pa area (scenery hill and the likes). But the further you go out the worse the commute is. Pittsburgh may be one of the worse laid out cities ever as far as transportation or commute goes. I never worked in Pittsburgh but for years I had to drive through both tunnels, the parkways and the ft Pitt bridge to get to work. You just have to accept it sucks and they are no good alternatives for getting to and from work at least for me. |
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Originally Posted By JQ66: There was a huge marketing blitz maybe 20+ years ago for people to locate in Steubenville. The Burb of the Burgh. But you get out of Steubenville a few miles and it is very nice country and not populated too heavy - like past wintersville. I live in the northern part of westmoreland county and like it for the most part. A little more populated now The countryside out of Greensburg is nice, especially if you get some land on one of the ridges and the view is great looking east, and laurel ridge and some other mountain ridges. There are some really nice views down in Washington county too especially on rt40 east of 84 Pa area (scenery hill and the likes). But the further you go out the worse the commute is. Pittsburgh may be one of the worse laid out cities ever as far as transportation or commute goes. I never worked in Pittsburgh but for years I had to drive through both tunnels, the parkways and the ft Pitt bridge to get to work. You just have to accept it sucks and they are no good alternatives for getting to and from work at least for me. Agreed on Pittsburgh being one of the worst laid out cities! OP never said exactly where his potential job is located exactly but, if he doesn't have to go downtown, use the tunnels or especially the Greentree "parking lot", the commute wouldn't be that bad at all. |
never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Originally Posted By Y-T71: Agreed on Pittsburgh being one of the worst laid out cities! OP never said exactly where his potential job is located exactly but, if he doesn't have to go downtown, use the tunnels or especially the Greentree "parking lot", the commute wouldn't be that bad at all. I'm not sure exactly where, they have a few locations. The virtual interview is later this week though so I hope to find out. Looks like the most likely spot is eastern side of the city, north of the river kinda near the "hot metal Bridge" |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
@MacManus
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: I'm not sure exactly where, they have a few locations. The virtual interview is later this week though so I hope to find out. Looks like the most likely spot is eastern side of the city, north of the river kinda near the "hot metal Bridge" Regardless, good luck! |
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: I'm not sure exactly where, they have a few locations. The virtual interview is later this week though so I hope to find out. Looks like the most likely spot is eastern side of the city, north of the river kinda near the "hot metal Bridge" Hot metal bridge means either Hazelwood or South Side. Look north like Butler County. Cranberry is nice, but over developed with strip malls. Rt 19 sucks. Coming into Pittsburgh from the north is a lot easier than any other direction. No tunnels to deal with. Also coming from the north, it will be easier to get to Hazelwood |
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Originally Posted By shindawia6: Hot metal bridge means either Hazelwood or South Side. Look north like Butler County. Cranberry is nice, but over developed with strip malls. Rt 19 sucks. Coming into Pittsburgh from the north is a lot easier than any other direction. No tunnels to deal with. Also coming from the north, it will be easier to get to Hazelwood If looking north around Cranberry, which has good access to Pittsburgh, look in Beaver county (Economy, New Sewickley, etc.) These areas are plenty close to downtown for occasional trips for work, recreation, etc. but will give you a better suburban or borderline rural feel. Cranberry does suck but it’s “Anywhere USA,” meaning you will have access to all of the shopping you need to. Shoot me a PM if you consider that area, as I am very familiar with it. |
'The horse is made ready for battle, but victory rests with the LORD' - Proverbs 21:31
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: I'm not sure exactly where, they have a few locations. The virtual interview is later this week though so I hope to find out. Looks like the most likely spot is eastern side of the city, north of the river kinda near the "hot metal Bridge" 
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never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Originally Posted By Hill_monkey: My workplace is near the hot metal bridge. @Hill_monkey how do you like the area?> Looks nice on Google Maps and stuff but I'm currently enjoying 62* weather and I know it's not that up by you |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
@MacManus
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: @Hill_monkey how do you like the area?> Looks nice on Google Maps and stuff but I'm currently enjoying 62* weather and I know it's not that up by you 55 and raining here right now. But today's supposed to be the warmest day of the week. The high this coming Saturday and Sunday is 26 and 25 respectively. We've been having rollercoaster temperatures the last month or so. We get a week of cold, then a week that's warm, etc.. There's good and bad with that. At this time of year I personally like it when it stays right around freezing for the high, just so I don't have to deal with mud and ticks. |
Gotta enjoy the little things.
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: @Hill_monkey how do you like the area?> Looks nice on Google Maps and stuff but I'm currently enjoying 62* weather and I know it's not that up by you Also, the weather kinda sucks but you get used to it. 
eta: also, we have a good group of shooters at a club north of the city and there's some good options for other clubs in the area. @steviesterno16 |
never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Posts:
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GA, USA
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Originally Posted By bulump: stay out of Allegheny County. Washington County is where it's at (and where we live). WAAAAAAAAY less taxes hands down. Peters Township, I guess (we don't have children), has a great school system. This man is wise. |