$244,657Average Value$133Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
A longstanding neighborhood in northwest Altoona
Juniata Gap is named after Juniata Gap Road, the main thoroughfare that connects the northwestern neighborhood to Altoona. Much of the once-booming railroad city remains connected to its industrial past, with worn, early 20th-century homes sitting close together on gridded streets throughout Altoona. But houses in Juniata Gap were built several decades later and are situated in a less concentrated atmosphere. “Juniata Gap has some nicer homes with a little more land than spots in Altoona proper,” says Scott Reilly, an Altoona native who operates the High Guys Video YouTube channel and production company. As the westernmost neighborhood before the landscape turns to rolling green mountains, Juniata Gap has convenient access to the Alleghenies, so residents often spend weekends hunting, mountain biking or hiking.
Bungalows and ranches with large lawns
Organically winding streets branch off Juniata Gap Road and residences usually have large green lawns framed by tall trees. People here tend to stay in their homes for decades, so many homes reflect long-term investments, like interior updates and in-ground pools. Bungalows from the 1920s and ‘30s are usually priced between $130,000 and $220,000. Ranches and split-levels were added to the neighborhood in the 1960s; these are usually listed between $300,000 and $420,000.
Bungalows are frequent among the earlier homes in the Juniata Gap neighborhood.
Mature plantings and shady trees are typical of the homes in the Juniata Gap neighborhood.
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Hunting and hiking in the Alleghenies
There aren’t designated parks in the neighborhood, but there are city parks and expansive nature preserves nearby. “Hunting is a big part of the culture here,” Reilly says. A couple of miles northwest of Juniata Gap are acres of state game lands owned by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, where it’s legal to go hunting or trapping in the dense, wooded landscape. Hikers explore forested trails around Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park, about 13 miles away. The 1,600-acre freshwater lake is also a popular spot for fishing and boating. Juniata Memorial Park is the closest public park, about 3 miles away. Kids run around the playground, and teenagers meet for pickup games on the basketball court. The Juniata Memorial Spray Park is a popular summer destination, featuring colorful equipment like a falling water mushroom, fountains and water guns.
Kayakers enjoy the calm waters of Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park near Altoona.
Memorial Park in Juniata Gap is a wonderful spray park for the summer months.
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Laidback eateries in Juniata
Juniata Gap doesn’t have any restaurants or stores, so residents drive a few miles south to go shopping or grab dinner. Martin’s is the closest grocery store, about 3 miles away. The Plank Road Commons shopping plaza is 8 miles away and has a Walmart, Sam’s Club and T.J. Maxx for grocery or retail shopping; Target is right next to the shopping center. The nearby neighborhood of Juniata has a few laidback restaurants and bars that serve railroad workers as they get off from their shifts at the Norfolk Southern Locomotive Shop. Mama Randazzo's Pizzeria dishes up pasta, wings and pizza, and McGarvey's Bar and Grill offers pub fare like mac and cheese, burgers and beer. The dimly lit bar has pool tables, sports playing on TVs, and a small stage where local bands perform. Jaidee Thai is a more elevated eatery that serves authentic Thai dishes like drunken noodles and curry.
Lunch with friends is a great opportunity at Mama Randazzo's Pizzeria near Juniata Gap.
Juniata Gap is only a few miles from big-box stores and the associated values.
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Career preparation at Altoona Area High
Children may begin at Juniata Gap Elementary School and progress to Altoona Area Junior High School. Older students can attend Altoona Area High School; all three schools have C-plus ratings from Niche. The Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center offers programs for high school students to study fields like graphic design, masonry, computer programming, cosmetology and welding. The largest Penn State satellite campus, which serves about 2,600 full-time students, is just east of the neighborhood. “It’s a nice springboard since you can spend a couple of years living at home and attending Altoona before going to the main campus,” Reilly says. The 2+2 program allows students to attend a satellite campus for two years before finishing at the main campus in State College, but there are five associate and 21 bachelor's degrees that can be completed entirely in Altoona.
The Altoona Area High School is one of the state's best-equipped high schools.
Juniata Gap Elementary School serves the learning community in grades K-5.
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Baseball games and emerging downtown events
On the weekends, the community may head to an Altoona Curve baseball game at Peoples Natural Gas Field or an event downtown. Reilly notes that community events have been sparse in the past, but there’s been a resurgence of activity in the last few years as downtown has gone through redevelopment. In July, Altoona celebrates the Blair County African American Heritage Festival. Kids play in bounce houses, and locals buy barbecue and funnel cakes from food trucks as music from DJs and live jazz bands fills the street. The Rails and Ales festival raises money for the Altoona Community Theatre. Locals compete in a homebrew contest, sip beers from various breweries and order snacks from food trucks.
Residents of Juniata Gap can easily enjoy a baseball game at the Altoona Curve
For the freshest produce the Altoona Farmers Market in downtown is convenient to Juniata Gap.
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Major interstates and passenger trains in Altoona
Though Altoona has a bus system that loops the city, bus lines don’t reach Juniata Gap making the neighborhood car-dependent. Drivers travel on Juniata Gap Road to reach downtown Altoona, which is about 4 miles southeast. Interstate 99 runs to the east of Altoona, offering residents a route to travel throughout central Pennsylvania. U.S. Route 22 goes 95 miles west to Pittsburgh. Downtown, locals can board the Pennsylvanian rail line at the Amtrak station to travel to Pittsburgh in about 3 hours or Philadelphia in about 5 hours.
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On average, homes in Juniata Gap, Altoona sell after 168 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Juniata Gap, Altoona over the last 12 months is $255,000, up 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled in the desirable Juniata Gap area just minutes from the Penn State Altoona campus, this solid ranch home offers an exceptional opportunity for investors or savvy homebuyers seeking sweat equity. Featuring three bedrooms, one full bath, and 1,134 square feet of single-level living, this property includes a spacious 24x24 two-car garage, newer roof and furnace, and a whole-home natural gas
Looking for a peaceful country retreat? This charming home sits on 5.24 acres and offers the space and comfort you've been searching for. With 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths, there's room for everyone. Enjoy cozy evenings in the spacious living room with a fireplace and hardwood floors. The bedrooms are generously sized, and the outdoor living is just as inviting—relax on the patio with a hot tub
Here is your chance to own a quiet private cottage on an acre of land within walking distance of Penn State Altoona campus. It can be your little slice of an escape bungalow heaven or your place to call home. You can find so much quiet serenity on this property with a nearby stream below the house, or sitting around the fire pit in the back yard. Interested in wildlife? You will find a lot
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
