Murrysville

Bordered by the winding Kiskiminetas River, Washington Township was originally founded in 1789, becoming a popular destination for its coal mining opportunity. When the mines were stripped, the community stuck around and used the stretching miles of green hills and fields for farming. "It's certainly a country setting," says Denise Lewandowski, a Realtor with Howard Hanna who has 15 years of experience and is local to the area. "But that gets you land and beautiful views. I just love Washington Township, the people, the location. I'd recommend it to anyone looking in Westmoreland County." Residential areas in Washington Township started to bloom in the late 20th century, with classic brick ranch homes and Colonial Revivals popping up to join the original farmhouses that sat and still sit among the rolling acres of land. While not as profoundly rural as some other townships, Washington is no master-planned community. The broad range of architectural styles and housing atmosphere adds to its appeal. "We've got a few housing subdivisions that have popped up, and we've got secluded houses on hundreds of acres and a little bit of everything in between," Lewandowski says. Newer housing is contemporary in build, but borrow from picturesque styles for aesthetics, such as the ever-popular Tudor Revival. While the median selling price for single-family homes is $190,000, the pendulum can swing wildly. Smaller three-bedroom homes typically don't break $200,000, while five-bedroom contemporary properties are available for $500,000. Public institutions for Washington Township are served by the Kiski Area School District. When students are ready to begin their educational journey, they'll start at Kiski Area South Primary School, which receives a B-plus from Niche, before moving on to Kiski Upper Elementary, which gets a B-minus. Both maintain a low student-teacher ratio for more personalized learning environments. Kiski Area Intermediate acts as the middle school, taking home a B-minus from Niche. The students run their own publication – the "Cavalier Chronicles" – that details events within the school district through student-written articles. The final step of primary education is Kiski Area High, graded with an overall B from Niche and cited in the top 5 best high schools in Westmoreland County. GreatSchools notes that the high school has a perfect 10 out of 10 for college readiness, seen through the numerous and diverse Advanced Placement programs and new partnership with the National Math & Science Initiative. Route 66 runs directly through the township, and it acts as a major artery that feeds into Interstate 356, an essential way for getting to downtown Pittsburgh in around 40 minutes. "Washington is really a hub – it's right at Lower and Upper Burrell, Monroeville, lots of cool places," Lewandowski says. Washington provides a fair amount of essentials, such as medical offices, national bank locations and chain retail. However, local business is still the most prominent presence, whether you're ordering the house omelet at Creekside Diner or stopping into Naser Foods for groceries. "There's a ton to do outside," Lewandoski says when asked about green space. "You're close to Roaring Run Trail, which runs by the Kiskiminetas River, and people love to kayak there, too. Northmoreland Park is huge for fishing and boating. I could go on, but hiking, hunting, we've got it all." At the north of the township, Kunkle Park provides a quick fix if you need to take the kids to the playground, find a nearby paved walking trail or hit the volleyball court. Nearby Willowbrook Country Club is an excellent destination for golf lovers and a fantastic way to meet fellow locals at club-hosted events. Due to its proximity to larger townships and cities, you can always find weekend events close by, from live outdoor concerts to games at the Pittsburgh Ice Arena. Washington Township has a huge event all its own, and last year, 20,000 people turned out. “I run the Vandergrift Holiday Extravaganza. It's the first weekend in December, and we pulled it together during COVID," Lewandowski notes. "It's grown into this huge thing. Three days of parades, craft vendors, live music and games. Every penny we make goes back into the community, because this is a community that pulls together and helps each other."