A suburban escape 12 miles from Pittsburgh
Scattered amongst the rolling Northern Hills of Pittsburgh, McCandless Township is the epitome of the classic American suburb. Housing styles include a mix of apartment complexes, condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes that cater to a wide range of budgets and lifestyles. Commercial corridors feature local restaurants, national chains and retailers. "It's a very desirable town. McCandless has everything you'd ever want," says Diane McConaghy, Realtor with Re/Max Select Realty, who has over 10 years of experience in the industry. Sprawling green spaces offer abundant outdoor recreation. A-plus-rated schools and a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, well below the national average of 4, cater to families with children and city commuters looking for a convenient and quiet lifestyle 12 miles from downtown Pittsburgh.
A-plus-rated schools in McCandless
The North Allegheny School District serves the McCandless community. “It’s a top-rated school district,” says Linda Honeywill, associate broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Realty, who has decades of experience in the industry. “The schools are a motivating factor for many buyers.” According to Niche, the school district earns an A-plus rating and is ranked as the No. 1 best school district around Pittsburgh. At least four public elementary schools are clustered within a 4-mile radius, such as the A-plus-rated Peebles Elementary School. Additional A-plus-rated schools include Carson Middle and North Allegheny High, which also earns the title of the No. 1 best public high school in the area. North Allegheny offers many extracurricular activities and sports programs, such as the highly competitive boys and girls golf teams. McCandless is also home to La Roche University, a small liberal arts college.
North Park's abundant amenities
North Park spans over 3,000 acres, making it the largest park in Allegheny County. Rolling green hills give way to miles of hiking trails that weave through wetlands and woodlands, event venues, calm bodies of water and the occasional church like St. Paul's, which dates to 1854. North Park Lake, the county's largest man-made body of water, spans 75 acres, inviting kayakers, canoeists and anglers, while a 5-mile loop winds around its perimeter. A public 18-hole golf course attracts experienced and first-time players, while hungry hikers can stop by The Over the Bar Bicycle Café for a craft brew and a barbecue burger after a long hike. Additional amenities include two off-leash dog parks, sports courts, a deck hockey rink, multiple playgrounds, over a dozen covered picnic pavilions and a treetop ropes course. Seasonal activities range from outdoor ice skating and hockey practices at North Park Ice Rink to sweltering summer days at North Park Swimming Pool, which boasts a water slide and splash pad.
Major community events and family activities at Devin Park
Devin Park is another green space adjacent to North Park and McCandless Town Hall. Apart from sports courts and the local heritage center, the grounds also host some of the town's largest events, such as McCandless Community Day. This family-friendly event includes activities like carnival rides and games for kids, as well as axe-throwing for adults. Local food vendors complement live musical performances and an evening fireworks display. The Farina Memorial Car Cruise, one of the festival's most renowned activities, honors the late Frank J. Farina Jr., the former music department chairman and band director for the North Allegheny School District. The car show includes a raffle, cookout food like hot dogs, and live music.
Condos, townhouses and single-family homes
In McCandless, gently rolling hills give way to pristine residential streets. Quiet roads feature modest bi-level, split-level and ranch-style homes, with prices ranging from the mid $100,000s to the $400,000s, depending on square footage, lot size and interior updates. Other streets showcase classic Colonial Revivals priced from the low $400,000s to the $700,000s. Homes here feature long paved driveways, attached garages, fenced-in backyards and large manicured lawns shaded by mature trees. Brick-and-Tudor-style New Traditional designs with gabled roofs and three-car garages sit at the higher end of the scale, with prices ranging from the $800,000s to the high $900,000s.
Townhouses vary in price as well, with older, outdated properties selling in the low $200,000s and updated units selling in the high $400,000s. Larger, 4,000-square-foot townhouses with three stories and luxury finishes can sell for almost $800,000 but are not as common. Condominiums are also available, selling from the mid $100,000s to the mid $300,000s.
Shopping and dining on McKnight Road
Local restaurants and shopping plazas line McKnight Road. McCandless Crossing is home to Trader Joe's, HomeGoods and a movie theater. Two miles north, Target and Giant Eagle Supermarket cater to weekly necessities, while additional grocers and Ross Park Mall, which features 170 different retailers, are about 3 miles south. The Block Northway is another nearby open-air mall best known for its seasonal Thursday farmers market, open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Apart from fresh produce and handcrafted goods, attendees can also enjoy live music and local food vendors.
Eateries range from small coffee shops and casual breakfast joints like Totin's Diner to popular chains like Bonefish Grill. Cafe Conmigo is a small but worldly coffee and tea shop. Wooden accents, potted plants and rattan furniture offer a cozy, bohemian atmosphere. Patrons can swing around in one of the hanging seats while sipping on a salty bee latte or a refreshing hibiscus tea. Cafe Conmigo also sells items that range from jewelry and art prints to handmade soaps and candles from local minority- or women-owned businesses. About 6 miles away, the Sesame Inn is a well-known name around town. Patrons here can enjoy upscale Chinese fare like moo shu chicken under a canopy of colorful lights that resemble traditional parasols.
Commutes along Route 19
Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes run along major thoroughfares like U.S. Route 19 (Perry Highway) and the U.S. Route 19 bypass (McKnight Road). However, McCandless's suburban sprawl makes it a highly car-dependent community. "McCandless has fast and convenient access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, highways and Pittsburgh," McConaghy says. Interstate 76 leads to Philadelphia, about 315 miles southeast, while downtown Pittsburgh is just 12 miles away. Pittsburgh International Airport is about 25-to-30 miles away via Interstates 79 or 279, and UPMC Passavant is the nearest hospital in the heart of town
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