A rural escape in Allegheny Township
Crisp spring air, lush summer forests, brilliant fall foliage and serene snow in winter — that’s what a year of living in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Township can bring. From meandering trails through the nearby state game area to backwoods roads leading to log cabins, the Allegheny Township offers homebuyers an escape from the city. Wendy Kelly of Berkshire Hathaway The Preferred Realty says tranquility is one of the neighborhood’s biggest draws. “People want to be in the middle of nowhere,” she says. “It’s a lifestyle choice.” Located about 60 miles outside downtown Pittsburgh, this rural township sits between the petite borough of Eau Claire and the winding Allegheny River. Sprawling swaths of undeveloped land offer buyers a blank canvas on which to build. At the same time, rustic ranch-style homes invite growing families to settle into a lifestyle surrounded by thick forests.
Homes on remote, multi-acre lots
Those attracted to living at a slower pace all year or just want a summer getaway surrounded by nature will have options in Allegheny Township. “Some of the properties have a lot of acreage and even a small lake here or there, so it can be a nice spot for a second home,” says Realtor Kelly Raitano with RE/MAX Select Realty. In private communities such as Squaw Valley Woodlands, there are a variety of cabin and ranch-style homes on acre lots, and homeowners have access to the community’s private lake. This may be the only community in the township where neighbors are within view, though, as the area’s remaining homes sit on remote, multi-acre parcels connected by paved but bumpy single-lane roads. “Most residents have lived here for a long time, so the market can be very slow,” Raitano says. Homes in this area generally range in price from about $200,000 to $400,000. Other houses in the area include single-family homes. The CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, which is the lowest possible score and lower than the national average of 4.
Small class sizes in the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District
Students attend schools in the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District in the neighboring borough of Foxburg. With less than 1,000 students, the district is known for its small class sizes and individualized instruction. From kindergarten through sixth grade, students will attend Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elementary School, which has a C-plus grade on Niche. In seventh grade, students will transition to the Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School, which earns a C rating. High school students are required to volunteer in the community and either visit a college or shadow a professional as part of their graduation requirements.
Hunting and fishing at State Game Lands No. 095
There are opportunities to hunt throughout the year at the six State Game Lands No. 095 sites in Butler County. Covering almost 10,000 acres in total, these woodland and wetland habitats are home to two lakes, about 6 miles of hiking and biking trails and a healthy population of white-tailed deer, wild turkey and waterfowl. The state also stocks the land annually with ringneck pheasants and various fish. Just a few miles north of the township is Hughes Park, an Emlenton borough park with a playground and a splash pad. The Foxburg Country Club lies just east of the Allegheny River, and it is home to one of the country’s oldest golf courses.
Dining beside the river at the Allegheny Grille
Community members can drive into nearby Foxburg for a bite to eat. There is a compact downtown area along the borough’s Main Street. Foxburg Pizza serves everything from griddled breakfast plates to hearty meatball subs. The Foxburg Wine Cellars have a small seating area for wine tasters to relax. Across the street, the Allegheny Grille’s large picture windows and waterside patio overlook the river. Locals can do their shopping at the Emlenton IGA just a short drive north of the township. The indoor Clearview Mall in Butler is about 20 miles away, and it has Boscov's department store and several restaurants, including Texas Roadhouse.
Car-dependent community within 60 miles of Pittsburgh
Residents depend on cars for travel, and the two-lane state Route 58 bisects the community. Interstate 80 runs across the northern portion, allowing for east-west travel. Pittsburgh is about 60 miles south, and the Pittsburgh International Airport is around 80 miles away. The closest emergency rooms are in the Grove City Medical Center and Clarion Hospital, which are about 25 miles west and east, respectively. The area gets upwards of 30 inches of snow per year, on average, and roads can be narrow and unevenly paved, so many drivers choose vehicles with four-wheel drive.
