Moon Township

Coraopolis is an up-and-coming borough on the Ohio River, thriving with local businesses. “It’s a walking town,” says Danielle D’Antonio, an employee of the borough. “City living in a little suburb.” Most homes in Coraopolis are within walking distance of the borough’s main streets, Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue. These one-ways are lined by new and old local businesses, providing the community with quite the collection of cozy eateries, quaint cafes and laidback spots to enjoy a cold one. Still, at its heart, Coraopolis is a quiet and close-knit residential community where residents know their neighbors. Coraopolis’ suburban streets are lined by sidewalks that meet grassy front yards. The median lot size in the borough is about a tenth of an acre. Grandly designed Victorians and Tudors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries sit alongside American Foursquares and Colonial Revivals. Midcentury bungalows, ranch- and shotgun-style homes can be found in the borough as well. Overall list prices range from $66,000 to $249,000. The median price for a single-family home, $162,950, could afford a three-bedroom, one-bathroom property. Coraopolis is served by the Cornell School District, which features two schools with C-plus ratings on Niche. Additionally, these schools are located right in Coraopolis, making for short bus rides and quick pick-ups. Students can start school at Cornell Elementary, which instructs kindergarten through sixth grade. From seventh grade until graduation, they’ll attend Cornell High. This high school is home to a variety of athletics, such as baseball, softball, swimming, basketball, football and volleyball. Local private options include St. James Catholic School, just across the bridge in Sewickley. Green and recreational spaces aren’t hard to come by around Coraopolis. The Broadway and First Park sits along the river with a small jungle gym, swing sets and a scenic pier that looks onto the Ohio River’s glittering waters. It’s a good spot for local anglers to check river conditions as well. More options for recreation lie inland at the Montour Junction Sports Complex, which includes a full-size indoor soccer field and a few more outdoor fields. Perfect for a hike close to home, Robin Hill Park is a 144-acre wooded area with scenic nooks, winding walking trails and the Robin Hill Center, a historic 24-bedroom Georgian home that is often rented out for local events. “You have that small-town feeling, and it’s easy to walk to things,” D'Antonio says. “People walk to get to antique stores nearby or walk to grab a coffee or some food.” For a small borough, Coraopolis has quite a collection of local eateries and cozy spots to enjoy a cold one. Every morning, Anchor & Anvil Coffee Bar opens its doors with fresh-ground espresso and creative sweet treats, like peanut butter cream-filled donuts topped with vanilla icing and Oreo crumble. A few blocks down and one street over, La Poblanita is a trusty spot to pick up lunch or dinner, featuring a menu of authentic Mexican cuisine and a myriad of ice cream flavors. As for getting evening drinks, Cobblehaus Brewing Company offers a warm, welcoming tasting room and a unique selection of local brews, from spiced ale and black IPA to coffee stout. When it comes to running errands, Coraopolis Cash Market and La Poblanita Grocery are convenient options in town for grabbing groceries. For more extensive shopping, however, folks can head west to University Boulevard, which is lined by commercial areas. It’s a 13- to 16-mile drive from the heart of Coraopolis to downtown Pittsburgh, depending on which way one goes. Right across the Sewickley Bridge, Pennsylvania Route 65 runs along the river all the way to downtown, as does Coraopolis’ Fourth Avenue, also known as PA Route 51. Folks can also hop on the bus for carless commutes thanks to the PRT bus stops that line Fifth Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Coraopolis’ nearest hospital is Heritage Valley Sewickley, located just over 2 miles away from most residences.

Sitting just west of Pittsburgh, Findlay Township merges the suburban and the rural. “It’s a nice suburb of Pittsburgh with quick access to the airport and Downtown,” says Sara Leitera, Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway. Green fields and swathes of old growth maples cut across the landscape, where farms on vast acreage surround growing subdivisions and rural hamlets like Clinton. Industrial complexes and the airport itself take up plenty of space but provide jobs in return for the increase in noise and traffic. Even for professionals working in the heart of the business district, the commute is relatively short, and often can be done in under 30 minutes, making Findlay Township an increasingly popular neighborhood for those who want a slice of country life with their convenience. From manufactured homes hiding in well-organized parks to new-build modern traditional homes in subdivisions rising out of the countryside, from split levels in the hamlets to rangy rural farms, one of the biggest draws of Findlay Township is the variety of available options, as well as the potential to build to suit. Traditional town houses range from $150,000 to $350,000, with newer builds fetching higher prices as they feature modern layouts and community amenities. Most single-family homes are mid-century ranch-style homes and split-levels featuring colonial and Federal design influences, with prices reaching from $200,000 up to $500,000. Custom-built homes with farmhouse influence continue to sprout out of the fields that used to feature farm crops, and get from $325,000 to $800,000 and up. Students in Findlay Township attend the West Allegheny School District, a highly rated public school system with an A- grade on Niche thanks to great academics and teachers. Most will start their education journey at Wilson Elementary, which receives an A, before moving on to West Allegheny Middle School, graded an A-minus. West Allegheny High School, with a B-plus grade, has a successful softball team that earned three titles in a row from 2017 to 2019. Students can also access a virtual academy to help facilitate convenient learning, a bonus in harsh Western Pennsylvania winters. Residents of Findlay Township rely on their cars to get around – the region is not walkable and there are only two limited bus routes servicing the community. Bicyclists can enjoy some recreational rides, but the winding back roads require caution. Pittsburgh International Airport is right there, with the terminals accessible in mere minutes for some residents, offering flights across the country. Residents will have to be aware of this, as the noise of flyovers will be a factor day and night. 24-hour emergency care is available roughly 10 miles away at Heritage Valley – Sewickly, usually a 20-minute drive or so. UPMC Urgent Care Robinson is closer, roughly 10-15 minutes away, but only has daytime hours. Lu-Lou's Roadhouse offers classic sandwiches like cod, Reubens, chicken parmigiana and more in a bright dining room, or diners can eat al fresco at one of the picnic tables under the terrace roof. For a pick-up or delivery option, Aroma Stone Hearth Pizza serves Neapolitan pizza baked in a stone hearth for a lighter crust, with gluten-free and vegetarian options for all dietary needs. Janoski’s Farm and Greenhouse provides everything from produce raised right there on the farm, to locally raised meats, honey, and more from the farms and producers of the region. For necessities, residents head to Shop ‘n Save in Imperial, or to Moon, where Giant Eagle, Walmart, Buddy’s Ace Hardware and other retail is clustered. Clinton Community Park offers green space surrounded by woods, with the Rainbow’s End Memorial Playground being at the heart of play, along with a well-maintained ball field. Meanwhile, Leopold Lake Park is a popular spot throughout the warm months for all sorts of activities – from deck hockey on the rink, to pickleball, to the dedicated skate park. Even furry friends are accounted for, with separate play areas for smaller dogs and larger dogs. Clinton Community Park is also home to the annual Christmas Light Up Celebration, a drive-through holiday light display that has been running since 1993. The community volunteers to put up lights, while community businesses and individuals sponsor decorated trees. The proceeds from the event go to local charities, scholarships and community organizations.