Beaver Falls

The West Mayfield community may be small, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less mighty. “We are a quaint community that’s part of a college town, and I love the friendliness of all the neighbors,” says Licia Cogley, the borough’s mayor since 2021. Sitting just west of Beaver Falls and the walkable Geneva College campus, West Mayfield shows its community pride by hosting annual events, celebrating milestones and planning for future improvements. “People really care about this area, and a lot of residents stay for generations. We just had a parade for our centennial celebration, and we’re looking forward to doing park beautification projects,” Cogley says. Homes in West Mayfield are modest and often petite, ranging from ranch-style properties to colorful bungalows with cozy front porches. Residents love to set up whimsical, themed yard decorations for the holidays, and compact gardens come to life with vibrant blooms in summer. Most of the hilly streets do not have sidewalks, but with a gravel buffer providing additional space for street parking, the road remains wide enough to accommodate both pedestrians and cars. Three-bedroom homes around 1,000 square feet usually list between $100,000 and $150,000, making West Mayfield slightly more affordable than neighboring Beaver Falls. But you’ll still have access to all the city’s amenities — including the well-regarded school system. Maintaining an overall grade of B-plus on Niche, the Blackhawk School District is a big draw for homebuyers in this area. Many students will attend Blackhawk Intermediate School, which has a grade of B-plus on Niche, for kindergarten through fourth grade before moving on to Highland Middle School, which maintains a B. In ninth grade, students can transition to Blackhawk High School, which maintains a grade of B and offers a competitive Music Academy program. Interested students can also participate in vocational training at the Beaver County Career and Technical Center. After school, children can burn off extra energy at Beaver Falls’ 37th Street Park, which is especially popular for its mini climbing wall and bright blue tire swing. East of the park, the Beaver River has opportunities for fishing and kayaking throughout the year. At West Mayfield Community Park, three grassy baseball fields provide space for the local baseball team, and a large lawn leaves plenty of room for community gatherings. “This is where we host a lot of our events, including an Easter egg hunt and a Trunk-or-Treat event,” Mayor Cogley says, noting that neighbors also come together for a dinner and bake sale on local election days. Since food has a habit of bringing people together, it’s no surprise that the longstanding local tavern serves as a meeting hub for the community. “Corner Tavern has been here forever. In the 1960s, it was open 24 hours for the mill workers,” Mayor Cogley says. After recent renovations, Cogley says the tavern is about to have another grand opening, and the owners expect a great turnout. Neighbors also enjoy grabbing takeout from The Oven Pizza Co., which Cogley says is new to the area but already gaining popularity. For even more dining options, head into downtown Beaver Falls for a taste of Philadelphia’s finest at Chilly Willy Cheesesteaks. A few blocks over, the Neighborhood North Museum of Play offers interactive exhibits where children can build, climb and play while learning about STEM topics. While in downtown Beaver Falls, you can catch a local bus from Fourth Avenue to the Giant Eagle Supermarket in Chippewa Plaza or the indoor fitness center in nearby Chippewa Center. The 4-mile trip may take a bit longer than it would in a car — about 40 minutes — but the bus is still a huge perk of living close to Beaver Falls. These buses also provide transportation into downtown Pittsburgh, but this 40-mile trek is made much faster by hopping on Interstates 376 or 279. You won’t have to go nearly as far for medical care, though, as primary and emergency care services are available at Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital about 8 miles away. With its own volunteer fire department, snow removal system and employment opportunities close to home, West Mayfield is a self-sufficient community with heaps of pride.

Surrounded by forests of maples, willows and pines, White Township offers a quiet residential alcove for buyers hoping to stay close to shopping and dining options while enjoying the serenity of western Pennsylvania. White Township sits comfortably between Beaver Falls and Chippewa Township, offering residents access to both a walkable downtown area and a suburban strip mall hub. "Beaver Falls is home to Geneva College, which is a walkable campus with great college town energy, and people like being close to that," says Licia Cogley, mayor of the neighboring borough of West Mayfield. "There's a great report between the communities here," she says. Homes in White Township are similar in style and price to those in West Mayfield, with ranch-style, Cape Cod and colonial builds making up most of the inventory. Neighbors enjoy decorating small front porches and gardens with themed holiday décor, and some lots are large enough to accommodate an above-ground pool in the backyard. Unlike West Mayfield, though, White Township's homes often come with a narrow driveway and a single-car garage, which minimizes street parking. Lisa Lathom, a Realtor with eXp Realty who has sold numerous homes in the area, says that the affordability of these small communities is a huge draw for buyers looking to put down roots. "There's not a whole lot of movement in the market once people settle down," she says. Three-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot homes usually list around $150,000, cheaper than the average in both Beaver Falls and Chippewa. And while you may not have sidewalks outside your home in White Township, you'll have plenty of places nearby that are perfect for a stroll. Covering almost 2,000 acres, Brady's Run Park is the largest in Beaver County and offers space for everything from biking to birthday parties. Here, you can bring the dog for a leisurely walk before a more energetic experience in the dog park. During trout season, you can reserve a campsite on the bank of the park's 28-acre lake. Kids can test their climbing skills on the playground while parents set up snacks in the large picnic shelter, and teens love practicing their latest tricks at the skate park. And with an indoor recreation facility with an ice arena, tennis courts and a track, you won't have to reschedule your plans when bad weather moves in. Throughout the year, you can also sign up to attend events such as races, hiking retreats and hunting sessions at Brady's Run. In the fall, students living in White Township prepare to return to class at one of the local Big Beaver Falls Area School District locations. Many students will start at Central Elementary School, which maintains a grade of C on Niche. After attending Beaver Falls Middle School, which also maintains a grade of C on Niche, students can move on to Beaver Falls High School, which maintains a grade of B-minus. As they approach graduation, students can sign up for courses at the Beaver County Career and Technical Center, which can help prepare them for future job opportunities. When it comes to shopping and dining, Mayor Cogley says that many people venture over to Chippewa for the essentials. "Chippewa is close to the Ohio border, so you have a lot of people coming over here to shop," she says. You'll find diverse restaurants, a Giant Eagle Supermarket, a Walmart and The Home Depot off Chippewa's Constitution Boulevard. For a more walkable experience, head to downtown Beaver Falls, where a stroll on Seventh Avenue reveals local favorites such as Chilly Willy Cheesesteaks. Beaver Falls is also home to multiple primary care physicians, and Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital is just 6 miles away for emergencies. If you want to explore downtown Pittsburgh's endless shopping and dining options, Interstate 376 provides a quick route for the 40-mile trip, passing by Pittsburgh International Airport on the way. And with access to public transportation in Beaver Falls, you can still enjoy a car-less lifestyle in the small community of White Township.