Towns south of pittsburgh - good for families?
 

Hello! My husband and I have been researching areas and neighborhoods around pittsburgh that may be good to move to, due to a new job. What is the area around Castle Shannon like? Are there good neighborhoods to begin a family in, and is it easy to get to and from downtown pittsburgh? We are a fairly young couple but want to buy a home in a family oriented, safe neighborhood. Thanks!

Castle Shannon is a made up of primarily single family homes. Very middle class (I mean that in a good way). Part of the Keystone Oaks School district. The "T" which is Pittsburgh's version of a street car/subway runs through Castle Shannon, and it is the cleanest, fastest way into downtown. I grew up right outside of Castle Shannon and I wouldn't hesitate to live there.

Right next to Shannon is Baldwin Township, part of the Baldwin-Whitehall school district:
http://vimeo.com/38790620

Baldwin is also largely single family homes, although it has a few grittier neighborhoods and a few much more upscale ones, too. My son-in-law grew up there and most of his family still lives there. He recently went to work for the borough.

Castle Shannon is a tad closer to the city and the public transportation is excellent. My major client lives in CS and owns multiple houses on a very nice middle class street.

Neither of these is a top school district, but neither are they distressed school districts. Baldwin, I think, ranks higher than Keystone Oaks, but I won't swear to that.

If you like a slightly more urban setting, Dormont, next to CS, has sidewalks and businesses, interspersed with some very nice older housing stock and a very nice central high street. Same school district as CS.

Just up the road a tiny bit is Mt Lebanon, where prices are higher and the schools are the best.

I live in the city of Pittsburgh where the schools are poor but there are still plenty of nice and extremely affordable streets.

However, if you like a suburban feel, Castle Shannon or Baldwin are good bets.