Beaver

With a riverside location befitting its name, Beaver is a bustling community not far north of Pittsburgh. The seat of Beaver County, this area is full of a great variety of homes on wide, tree-shaded streets; multiple parks to enjoy; popular local businesses and quality schools.

“The heart of Beaver is fantastic. The town is fantastic,” says Shanna Funwela of the Shanna Funwela Team with Coldwell Banker Realty, who has been selling for almost a decade. “It’s very small and they kind of do everything. They still have parades and fireworks, and there’s a good school district.”

There are quite a bit of homes in Beaver that date back to the 19th century, examples of classic architecture of the time period. Other houses across the area span the 20th century, assorted colonials, Cape Cods and ramblers. There’s even a bit of recent construction in Beaver, with new traditional Craftsman styling. Some condos and townhomes supplement the single-family houses of Beaver. The single-family homes in Beaver typically have square footages anywhere between about 1,000 and 3,500. Some lots here are compact yet still enough for a bit of lawn space — properties can range from just over 2,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet. Properties around Beaver are dotted with mature trees. In fact, Beaver receives Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation perennially. Local Realtor Amy Logan of RE/MAX Select Realty says that single-family homes have sold for an average of $327,020 over the last six months.

Logan, a native of nearby New Brighton, says that the schools here are one of the draws, part of the Beaver Area School District. This district boasts a B+ overall rating on Niche and is what the site ranks as the best school system in Beaver County. Students here can start at College Square Elementary for kindergarten to second grade, a school with a B-minus grade on Niche. College Square has its own innovation lab, a makerspace that serves as the setting for STEAM activity. Dutch Ridge Elementary is next for students here, for Grades 3 to 6. This B-minus-rated school has its own life skills teacher. Beaver Area Middle, which includes Grades 7 and 8, has a B-plus grade and offers robotics and eSports programs. The B-rated Beaver HIgh has a dedicated TV studio and nine science labs.

There are parks all over Beaver, and the area’s walkable nature makes it easy to get to them. “Beaver is always hosting something throughout the year, utilizing those parks,” Logan says. Quay Square, Irvine Park and McIntosh Park are adjacent grassy expanses shaded by towering trees — spaces ideal for a picnic. Quay Square and Irvine Park host carriage rides during the Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Light-up Festival. Bouquet Park is a neighborhood spot where you can take the kids to the playground. You can enjoy the Ohio River waterfront at Beaver Greens Park. Where the Ohio River and Beaver River converge nearby is the site of the area’s annual Beaver County BOOM Fourth of July fireworks celebration.

Beaver’s walkability also comes in handy for perusing the array of restaurants and other businesses in the area, many of them along 3rd Street, the main drag. “Every storefront is full, they’re always busy,” Logan says. Waffles Incaffeinated is well-liked, specializing in gourmet waffles and sandwiches, but also craft beer and cocktails. Yama Japanese Restaurant is renowned for its sushi, and Soup-Herb Sproutz for its wraps and salads. Residents can grab quick groceries at 3rd Street’s Beaver Supermarket, which is popular in part for its meat section. Other stores on this stretch include Castle Toys and Games and Wildwood Boutique, a women’s clothing store. The area’s Memorial Day Parade takes place along 3rd Street as well.

Multiple Beaver County Transit Authority bus stops line 3rd Street, too, making it easier to get around the area. Commuters have Interstate 376 nearby as well, convenient for trips south into Downtown Pittsburgh, just over 30 miles away. But Beaver has a strong character of its own, an active area with so much to do.

Photography Contributed By

Jay Ratchford

Video By

Alex Finneran