Quiet residential streets on steep hills with Allegheny views
Homes line the steep, sloping streets of Westfall, a residential Altoona neighborhood just across Route 36 from downtown and surrounded by the forested Allegheny Mountains. From the top of the hill on 14th Avenue, which divides the Westfall and Garfield neighborhoods, residents can look beyond and spot the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, a downtown Altoona landmark with its distinctive cross-topped dome. Quiet and scenic, Westfall is the type of neighborhood where residents have taken the time to maintain their properties – many of which have large yards. “Quite a few homes have additions. People liked the neighborhoods so much," says Bob Baranik, Altoona native and board member of Altoona’s transit authority, Amtran, adding, "They sold the parcels bigger.”
The Westfall community is best described by it's beautiful landscaping and towering hills.
The Westfall community is made up of many different homes of shapes and sizes.
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Nearby electrical substation and UPMC Altoona
An electrical substation sits on the neighborhood’s north end, at the corner of 17th Avenue and Cemetery Road. “All the [city's] power grid feeds into it,” Baranik says. He notes that its presence doesn’t cause disturbances for people living nearby. “I’ve walked past it and there’s not really any sound.” UPMC Altoona hospital is less than 2 miles northeast of Westfall, and Altoona-Blair County Airport is 20 miles southeast. Route 36 serves as Westfall’s eastern border. Altoona’s bus system, Amtran, has stops in the neighborhood along 15th Avenue that take riders to local destinations including Logan Valley Mall, Penn State Altoona’s campus and downtown.
The Westfall community boast an amazing electrical substation in the middle of town.
UPMC is an American integrated global nonprofit health enterprise in Altoona, PA.
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Westfall houses vary in condition and age
Power lines tower above many homes in Westfall. Houses on the neighborhood’s western end, further from downtown, tend to have larger yards with trimmed lawns and shrubbery. Some of the older homes on the eastern side of the neighborhood sit closer together and often have little or no front yards. However, backyards still have room for features like above-ground pools, detached garages or sheds. Most homes in Westfall were built between 1930 and 2000. Older properties include Dutch farmhouses and traditional homes that have been renovated and often have additions. Ranches and split levels built between the 1950s and ‘70s are common, as well as two-story, new traditional homes built in the 1990s. Smaller homes without renovations often cost between $50,000 and $150,000, while larger, well-kept properties go for between $150,000 and $350,000. There is a small brook that runs through the neighborhood near 26th Street. Baranik, whose son lives in the area, says, “The lower part of [my son’s] yard is by the brook. He doesn’t even bother cutting the grass because water pools there. I know that because it looks dry, but I got my tractor stuck there more than once."
The Westfall community is made up of beautiful homes with well maintained landscaping.
The Westfall community is home to newer styled homes that are more modern in style and build.
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Dining in downtown Altoona
Westfall doesn’t have any restaurants in the neighborhood, but there are several popular spots nearby to grab a bite. Locals can pick up their favorite latte and paint pottery at The Clay Cup, a coffee shop and art studio downtown on 11th Avenue. Two blocks away, Levity Brewing Company serves locally brewed beers on tap and comfort foods like chili and nachos in its trendy venue. For groceries, locals can swing by First Stop Shop Discount Grocery Outlet on Union Avenue or drive 3 miles to Aldi.
Locals in the Westfall community call Levity Brewing Co a local favorite for the community.
The Clay Cup is a specialty coffee shop in the heart of historic downtown Altoona.
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Events downtown and at the Jaffa Shrine Center
Nearby downtown Altoona has regular community events, such as the Rails & Ales festival in August. Locals gather at Heritage Plaza to sample beers and wines from local vendors, grab fair food like hot dogs and cotton candy from food trucks, and listen to live music. The Jaffa Shrine Center is a community venue south of Westfall. Completed in 1930, the building features Middle Eastern-inspired details like symmetrical domes and colorful mosaics that set it apart from its surroundings. The Jaffa Shriners fraternal group meets regularly at the facility and hosts popular events there, such as the annual circus in the spring. Horseshoe Curve is a popular attraction about 6 miles west of the neighborhood. Completed in 1854, the railway’s tightly curving path expedited freight shipments across the Allegheny Mountains. Visitors still enjoy watching trains turn sharply at the site.
The Westfall community loves visiting the local farmers markets and meeting local vendors.
The Jaffa Shrine is a temple (chapter) organized under Shriners International in Altoona, PA.
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Altoona public schools and vocational education
Students in Westfall may attend Mowrie A. Ebner Elementary School, which earns a C grade from Niche. Students previously attended Wright Elementary School on 11th Street, but the school shut down in 2014. The property has since been purchased by The Nehemiah Project, a non-profit service organization. Older students usually attend C-plus-rated Altoona Area Junior High School and C-plus-rated Altoona Area High School. Teens attending Altoona Area High School can also enroll at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center, which offers vocational education and certification opportunities in subjects like cosmetology, graphic design, dental assisting and welding.
Ebner Elementary School is a public school located in Altoona, PA.
Altoona Area High School is the public high school for the Altoona Area School District.
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Views from Westfall Park and more recreation
From the hills of Westfall Park, visitors can look down at the city below and just beyond at the sweeping views of the Allegheny Mountains. The park has some short trails and a fenced-in baseball field where visitors often walk their dogs. Garfield Park is just south of Westfall and has soccer fields, baseball fields and pickleball courts. Blair County Pickleball Club meets at Garfield Park for games, tournaments and lessons. Donald E. Witherspoon Memorial Basketball Court is also just outside the neighborhood. For adventure farther afield, the surrounding mountains have several state parks, including Prince Gallitzin State Park, about 17 miles northwest. Here, visitors can choose from over 32 miles of trails, and they can swim, boat or fish along Glendale Lake’s 26 miles of shoreline.
Garfield Park in Westfall is where local athletic teams practice and play their games.
The views from Westfall Park in the Westfall community are a must see for anyone.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
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Trish Gesswein,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Westfall Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Westfall
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Westfall, Altoona sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Westfall, Altoona over the last 12 months is $191,200, up 26% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$184,950
Median Single Family Price
$184,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$91
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Median List Price
$182,450
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
20%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
46
Median Year Built
1940
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,957
On par with the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Trish Gesswein,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
315
Median Age
43
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$68,437
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$89,407
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.7%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
37.3%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.1%
% Population in Labor Force
64.9%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
15/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
25/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
