Bovard

This old coal mining town is 35 miles southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. It's a quiet, suburban area outside of bustling Greensburg, the county seat and vibrant commercial hub. Old mixes with new here, where midcentury designs sit between early 1900s farmhouses and mini-mansion developments. Bovard homeowners enjoy easy, peaceful living near the region's most popular amenities. “It’s a big mixture of things here. There are people who have been in their homes for years and years, and there are a lot of newer developments,” says Sheryl Eagle, Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway. The housing stock is diverse in this rural area. Townhouses, condos and a wide breadth of single-family styles spread over rolling, grassy hillsides, each respective variety huddled in small groupings. Older 1950s-era subdivisions lodge narrow two-story cottages tightly along Bovard's steep streets. These simple spots typically list for less than $100,000. Bovard's newer residences have attached garages and more wiggle room between their neighbors. The symmetrical designs and shuttered windows nod to traditional Colonial designs. Many are four or five-bedroom properties and sell for $600,000 to $800,000. Townhomes and condos go for $150,000 to $250,000 here, fluctuating with the home size and age of updates. Buyers can expect listings to stick around for a few months before finding a new owner. Kids growing up in Bovard can attend school within the well-performing Hempfield Area District. Many start at Maxwell Elementary and continue to Wendover Middle before earning their diplomas from Hempfield Area Senior High. Each public school carries an overall score of B or higher on Niche and is within a 15-minute drive for most Bovard residents. Most high schoolers opt to enroll in at least one advanced placement course for college credit, and many of these high achievers move on to the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State or Duquesne University. When Bovard locals want to get outside, they head to Twin Lakes Park, about 3 miles away. It's one of the largest in the region, with a little something for everyone. Locals bring their furry friends to run off-leash at Franklin Dog Park's wide-open field or watch the kids on the inclusive playground at Peach Plaza next door. Dek hockey, community gardening and sledding are also among the park's most beloved amenities. People can also visit to catch a live music show at the Brian T. Rusnock Amphitheater, an intimate outdoor venue. Lakeside trails and boat launch areas are on the other side of the park campus for Bovard's outdoor adventurers. Most Bovard residents ride 2 miles south to East Gate Shopping Center for weekly errands, flanked by a Giant Eagle. Fast-food restaurants and familiar chains surround the shopping strips lining the highway. For local bites, residents travel into downtown Greensburg, a walkable area patterned with coffee shops, boutiques and independently owned eateries. The Venue is the date night go-to, an upscale steakhouse that's won the locals over in its nearly five-year tenure. Sun Dawg Café is a hit for brunch with an extensive menu to suit any morning craving, from breakfast sandwiches to pancakes piled high and tacos with a twist. “There are a lot of new businesses coming in,” Eagle says. Downtown Greensburg is bookended by a medical park and a business district, allowing lots of Bovard locals to stay in town for a day at the office. Central Pittsburgh is a 30-mile trip away for city commuters, which typically amounts to 45 minutes in the car. Residents have easy access to Interstate 76 and several other intersecting highways for straightforward commutes across the region. City buses have stops lining the main roads for those who prefer a car-free commute around town. The Amtrak station is in downtown Greensburg, a convenient option for long-distance travel. The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is also a 15-mile ride east for frequent flyers.