Gibsonia blends suburban charm with city convenience
In the suburban North Hills of Pittsburgh , Gibsonia is a small community known for its highly rated schools and convenient access to shopping and dining. "The North Hills is a happening area with lots of new construction. There are lots of new stores, lots of new restaurants and things to do with your family. It's a booming area," says Jason Moots, a Realtor at Achieve Realty with 25 years of experience. "You get a private rural setting, but you're so close to everything. It's just polluted with stores and high-end retail." Pennsylvania Route 8 is nearby and has some shopping, but McKnight Road is the primary commercial corridor of the area. In addition to shopping and dining, nearby parks and major highways round out Gibsonia as an ideal spot for buyers looking to stay connected to Pittsburgh without the city traffic.
Large lots and a mix of classic home styles in suburban Pittsburgh
New Traditional homes, Colonial Revivals and Cape Cods comprise most of Gibsonia's housing. They are often on suburban streets with sidewalks that offer walkability. Neatly manicured lawns and leafy trees add curb appeal to the homes. Properties are spacious, with a median lot size of just over a half-acre. "When you pay $500,000 to $2 million for a house, you actually get land with it. You're not right up against your neighbor in this area," Moots says. Some areas feel more rural, with dense foliage lining the roads and gently rolling hills. The median sales price for a single-family home is around $510,000, higher than in some nearby areas but lower than in Pine Township .
Shopping centers and chain restaurants are close to home
Several chain retailers are in the community along Route 8. Residents can visit stores like Walmart, Target and Kohl's. About 7 miles away, many more options line McKnight Street. The Block Northway is a large shopping center home to clothing outlets and home goods stores. Ross Park Mall has anchor department stores like Macy's and Nordstrom, plus many smaller shops. Restaurant chains like Olive Garden, Mad Mex and The Cheesecake Factory offer various dining options. Emiliano's Mexican Restaurant & Bar is a locally owned spot closer to home. Groceries are available at Giant Eagle or Shop N Save.
A-rated schools from kindergarten to 12th grade
Students might attend Hance Elementary School, Eden Hall Upper Elementary School, Pine-Richland Middle School and Pine-Richland High School. All of these earn an A from Niche. The high school offers the College in High School program, allowing students to earn dual credit through the University of Pittsburgh. It also has an Air Force JROTC chapter and 16 career clusters for students to choose from, including agriculture and health science.
Spacious parks and public golf courses offer plenty of fun
Richland Township Community Park is a large recreational complex in Gibsonia’s north side, with sports fields, picnic shelters, playgrounds and a splash pad. The park hosts several youth sports leagues, including baseball, soccer and basketball. North Park is an expansive natural area south of Gibsonia with over 3,000 acres to explore. One of the park's highlights is its 66-acre lake, popular for fishing and kayaking. It also has a swimming pool, hiking trails and an ice skating rink. The park's Latodami Nature Center has 250 acres of natural areas home to an abundance of wildlife. It is open to the public and hosts field trips for local schools and scout organizations. Pittsburgh North Golf Course is an 18-hole course in the community that's open to the public.
Route 8 and I-79 make travel simple
Gibsonia gives residents easy drives into Pittsburgh. "The commute to downtown is under a half-hour from here. The commute to the airport is under a half-hour. Traffic to both flows really easy," Moots says. Route 8 leads about 17 miles south to downtown, while Interstate 79 and I-376 offer a 34-mile drive to the airport. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is also nearby, providing an east-west highway across the commonwealth. The closest hospital is UPMC Passavant-McCandless, about 6 miles away.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
