Historic Altoona neighborhood next to Penn State's satellite campus
Fairview is a northwestern Altoona neighborhood adjacent to Penn State's Altoona satellite campus and bordered by UPMC Altoona Hospital. Fairview grew the most through the late 1800s and early 1900s when railroads were a powerful industry driving Altoona's economy. Fairview was annexed to Altoona in 1929, alongside other neighborhoods such as Juniata and Whenwood. Although the post-industrial era ushered in a decline of railroads in the town, the Norfolk Southern railyard and Juniata Locomotive Shop still operate just outside Fairview. Today, Fairview is a distinct neighborhood with a population of students and generational residents.
Fairview homes are mostly located on gridded streets.
Fairview has a mix of many home styles.
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American Foursquares and student housing
Most homes sit close together along gridded streets with street parking in Fairview. Houses were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, featuring American Foursquare and Victorian-inspired styles priced between $60,000 and $150,000. Many of these larger homes were originally inhabited by Pennsylvania Railroad executives. Some houses on the outskirts of the neighborhood sit further apart on meandering streets, with split levels built in the 1960s and '70s priced between $175,000 and $250,000. Fairview Hills is a public housing complex in the neighborhood off 1st Street. Because of its vicinity to Penn State's Altoona branch, there are more rental homes in Fairview occupied by students. However, the city of Altoona has rules restricting where students can live. According to the city's website, the restrictions are meant to "maintain the residential character of neighborhoods, to enhance quality of life and to maintain property values." As a result of these rulings, "students are more dispersed out. I'm glad about that; when someone would have a party, 50 cars would show up, and the people who live there would have nowhere to park," says Bob Baranik, lifelong Altoona resident and board member of Amtran, Altoona's public transportation authority. College Park Apartments is also a complex geared toward students in Fairview.
Many streets in Fairview have large American Foursquare homes.
The streets high on the hill in Fairview are dotted with newer split-level homes.
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Altoona's biggest employers and getting around town
UPMC Altoona Hospital, Altoona's largest employer, borders Fairview. "UPMC Pittsburg is a great medical business, but here in Altoona, it's a satellite. Anything beyond stitches and Band-Aids, you have to go to Pittsburgh," Baranik says. Pittsburgh is about 90 miles west. The Juniata Locomotive Shop employs about 450 people, a fraction of the 16,500 workers employed by the railroad industry in Altoona at its peak in 1925. Baranik explains that because Altoona is in a valley, its year-round temperatures are typically two or three degrees warmer than the mountainous terrain immediately around it – part of why the area was attractive to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company when it established the town in 1849. Altoona's Amtran bus system takes residents to the Penn State Altoona Campus, downtown Altoona and elsewhere in the city.
UPMC Altoona medical Center is located in Fairview.
The Penn State Altoona campus is located near the Fairview neighborhood.
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Recreation at Fairview Park, Penn State Altoona and the surrounding mountains
Fairview Park is a small neighborhood park with a baseball field, playground, basketball court and picnic shelter. Locals can exercise on the paved trail that borders the block-wide park. Penn State Altoona opens some of its outdoor recreation facilities to the public, including the soccer field and track around Spring Run Stadium and the tennis courts. The campus also has a pond next to the student center where anyone can walk around. "It's good recreation. It's kind of a trade-off with the neighbors putting up with college kids making noise," Baranik says. Across Juniata Gap Road from Fairview is Juniata Memorial Spray Park. Kids run through the sports-themed water features to cool off in the summer. Memorial Park also has a basketball court and playground. The Allegheny Mountains that surround Altoona offer more opportunities to get outside. Canoe Creek State Park, about 12 miles east, has a lake among the rolling mountains where visitors can swim and fish, and the state park also connects to the 17-mile-long Lower Trail. Lower Trail, built in an abandoned rail corridor, is popular among hikers, bikers and horseback riders.
Memorial Park has various activities for kids including a playground.
Fairview Park is a quiet place for residents to enjoy.
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Beers at Mike's Court and Altoona Pizza at Michael's Pizzeria
Mike's Court is a popular neighborhood spot on 5th Street with sports memorabilia tacked all over the wood-paneled walls and ceiling. Old timers hang out and watch the game with a beer and American fare. Down the road on 4th Street, locals can walk to Michael's Pizzeria, which serves "Altoona Pizza" among more standard options. This type of pizza, which originated in the Altoona Hotel, has bread and tomato sauce topped with salami and green bell pepper, all covered with a layer of melted American cheese. For groceries, Martin's is just off Chestnut Avenue. Retail shopping and big box stores are less than 5 miles away at Logan Towne Center and the Shoppes at Pleasant Valley.
Mike's Court in Fairview offers good food and drink at great prices to local residents.
Michael's Pizzeria in Fairview is home to Altoona style Pizza.
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Altoona Area School District serves Fairview
Many students attend the McAuliffe Heights Program at Irving School, a public magnet school that earns a B grade from Niche. McAuliffe Heights is a school of choice, so parents with children around the district can put their students on the waitlist. Students who do not attend McAuliffe Heights attend C-plus rated Juniata Gap Elementary. Older students attend the town's only public middle and high schools, Altoona Area Junior High and Altoona Area High, which earn C-plus and B grades on Niche. Baranik explains that the high school is laid out across multiple buildings and feels like a college campus. "I'm very proud of what the school district built with our high school," he says. Mansion Park Stadium, a little over a mile from the school, serves as the athletic facility for the high school. "It's beautiful. They take really good care of it," Baranik says. Altoona Central Catholic School, a private school that serves Pre-K through eighth grades, is also in the neighborhood.
Altoona Area High School serves the student population from all over Altoona.
Students from the City of Altoona attend Altoona Area Junior High School.
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Fun at Father Kelly Hall, Peoples Natural Gas Field and Mishler Theatre
Father Kelly Hall is an event space in the neighborhood affiliated with the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church. The church hosts events like the St. Therese Flea Market and Bake Sale, fish fry dinners, and fundraising events in the space. For more entertainment, residents can catch a game at the Peoples Natural Gas Field, home to the Altoona Curve minor league baseball team, explore the Railroaders Memorial Museum or catch a performance from the Altoona Symphony Orchestra at the historic 1906 Mishler Theatre.
Fairview residents can travel to nearby downtown Altoona for a shot at the Mishler Theater.
Fairview has many gathering places which hold event all year long.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Fairview
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Fairview Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fairview, Altoona sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Fairview, Altoona over the last 12 months is $142,500, up 34% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Income producing duplex with both units currently tenant occupied providing immediate rental income. Tenants are responsible for gas, electric, and trash. Each unit offers comfortable living space with updated flooring, bright kitchens, and functional layouts. The property features separate entrances and a welcoming covered front porch. Conveniently located near local amenities, shopping, and
PRICE ADJUSTMENT! This home is definitely 'move in ready' and so many upgrades make this home special. Beautiful HW floors, Wood fireplace. Kitchen has upgrades and appliances stay. Back yard is cozy and fenced in. Rear covered Patio for outdoor entertaining.
Discover spacious living and timeless charm in this beautifully maintained Fairview home. The main level features a formal living room with built-in shelving, a dining room with a classic corner hutch, and a massive family room anchored by a gas fireplace. The kitchen is a chef's delight, boasting hickory cabinets, solid surface countertops, a tile backsplash, and a unique built-in antique
Great Opportunity to own this single-family home built in 1924 featuring 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. ***SPECIAL NOTES: (1) This is a CASH ONLY transaction. (2) Seller to pay Taxes, HOA, and Municipal/Utility Liens. (3) Please read the Auction disclaimers carefully before placing a bid or submitting an offer. ***
This updated two-story home is move-in ready and features three bedrooms and one full bathroom. The main floor includes a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. With a functional layout and fresh updates throughout, this property is prepared for its next owners.
LOW TAXES!!!Charming 2-story home offering classic character and a functional layout! This property features a covered porch, perfect for relaxing, and a spacious interior with a separate dining room and large living area filled with natural light. The kitchen offers ample cabinet space and a convenient layout with direct access to the rear entry. Upstairs, you'll find comfortable bedrooms
Experience unparalleled comfort and convenience at Mountain View Apartments. Our thoughtfully designed 2-bedroom, 2-bath units offer a spacious layout and a range of desirable features, including a large living area, dishwasher, walk-in closets, and a convenient built-in desk workspace that is perfect for working or studying from home.Residents also enjoy community amenities that enhance
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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