Rural living in Washington County
Among the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, Buffalo Township is a rural community that embraces a slower pace of life. It’s home to less than 2,000 people and takes advantage of its countryside setting with opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. The bucolic enclave also appeals to those looking for more land. “Washington County is a beautiful rural community with larger farm estates,” says Jared Prusia, a land and rural home expert with the Countryside Group at Keller Williams Realty. While the town feels secluded in its verdant landscapes and spacious lots, Interstate 70 passes through the countryside and connects residents to shopping, dining and other amenities that are otherwise outside of their daily orbit. “Interstate 79 provides easy passage through Washington and towards the Pittsburgh area,” Prusia says. Washington is less than 10 miles from town, and Pittsburgh is about 45 minutes northeast.
Rustic homes with spacious lots in Buffalo Township
There aren’t any housing developments in Buffalo Township. Instead, houses are spread out along country roads and offer plenty of privacy with a median lot size of nearly two acres. Long driveways lead to ranch-style, raised ranch and farmhouse-style homes. Custom-built properties embrace a variety of architectural styles, including rustic log cabins reminiscent of the Adirondacks. Home prices typically range from $150,000 to $350,000, but houses with significant acreage can sell upwards of $450,000. With only nine houses sold in 2024, the market tends to be slower. Properties sell after an average of 85 days on the market, nearly twice the national average.
Hunting at SGLs and fishing at Cross Creek County Park
The countryside is a destination for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. State Game Lands 245 and 232 are less than 10 miles from Buffalo Township, and residents with hunting licenses or range-use permits can hunt native game such as white-tailed deer, turkey and ring-necked pheasants. SGL 245 also has a public shooting range. Cross Creek County Park is less than 20 miles away, and its namesake creek is a popular spot for bass fishing. There are also two boat launch areas with playgrounds, picnic pavilions and public restrooms. The Highlander Soccer Club complex is in Buffalo Township, and the group offers in-house and travel soccer teams for kids of all skill levels. Lone Pine Country Club is 5 miles away, and members have access to an 18-hole golf course with rolling hills and scenic vistas of Washington County.
Dual enrollment program at McGuffey High School
The township is part of the McGuffey School District, which earns an overall grade of B-minus from Niche. It serves nine rural communities in southwestern Pennsylvania and has a student-teacher ratio of 12-to-1, lower than the state average. The town is split between the B-rated Joe Walker Elementary School and B-minus-rated Claysville Elementary School. McGuffey Middle School receives a C-plus, while McGuffey High School scores a B-minus. The high school’s dual enrollment program allows students to enroll in pre-approved courses from the Community College of Allegheny County and the University of Valley Forge.
Annual tractor show at Vic’s Greenhouse
While there aren’t many shops or restaurants in town, Old Farm Road supplies the community with fresh eggs and pasture-raised meat. Candle Tree Farm is best known for its Christmas trees, and they also harvest blueberries in the summer. Vic’s Greenhouse sells seasonal produce and canned goods, and the country store hosts an annual tractor show. It’s typically held in September and features a full weekend of square dancing, tractor pulls and other seasonal activities.
Grocery stores, shops and restaurants in nearby Washington
Residents typically head into Washington to run errands, pick up groceries and grab a bite to eat. The city is less than 10 miles from Buffalo Township, and Shop ‘N Save is the closest grocery store. Shopping centers include Strabane Square, which has chains like Lowe’s, Target and Giant Eagle Supermarket. The dining scene in downtown Washington revolves around longstanding institutions such as Shorty’s Lunch, an old-fashioned lunch counter known for its signature hot dogs and gravy fries. The Union Grill has been serving homemade Italian food since 1967, and Osso’s Original Pizza is a go-to spot for thin-crust pies.
I-70 is a major highway in southwestern Pennsylvania
Residents rely on their cars to get around. U.S. Route 40 and Interstate 70 are the town’s main thoroughfares, and Buffalo Township is about 45 minutes from Pittsburgh. It’s also 10 miles west of the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border, and I-70 offers a direct route to Wheeling, West Virginia. For flights, Pittsburgh International Airport is around 40 minutes from town.
