Suburban Neighborhood in Observatory, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County 15209, 15212, 15214
$230,123Average Value$167Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Hills and valleys of homes above the Allegheny River
Hanging off hillsides crowned with aged industrial-era homes, time-worn cemeteries and midcentury suburbs further north of Pittsburgh’s city limits, Reserve Township is a long-established gateway to the North Hills. “It's a very small community where people are keyed into what’s going on in their neighborhoods,” says Jan Kowalski, manager of Reserve Township. “We have fantastic views of the city skyline.” Within 5 miles of downtown Pittsburgh, Reserve Township balances suburban schools and shopping centers with connection to the green spaces and local businesses enriching post-industrial communities along the Allegheny River.
Well kept properties in Reserve Township.
Aerial of Reserve Township facing north of Route 28.
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Prewar homes and hilly midcentury suburbs
Jutting over hillsides above Troy Hill and Millvale on the southern edge of the township and standing along the Spring Garden Avenue valley, a mix of late 19th-century and prewar single-family homes sell for $100,000 to $300,000 depending on square footage and renovation levels. Further north, side streets and subdivisions on rolling hills become wider and more suburban, lined by small ranch-style, Minimal Traditional and simple two-story homes built in the 1940s through 1970s which sell for $170,000 to $300,000. Townhouses built in pairs on grassy subdivisions in the 1990s sell for $230,000 to $290,000. A few churches pop up between homes throughout the township.
You can find many bungalow style houses in Reserve Township.
Some streets in Reserve Township are pre war brick roads.
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Girty’s Woods, community parks and nearby river trails
From an access point down Irwin Lane, hikers venture through deep woods extending down into Millvale on steep, narrow trails through Girty’s Woods. Locals can find an unnamed pocket playground and basketball court fenced between houses on Spring Garden Avenue or shoot some hoops below the tiny, grassy baseball field at William R. Prom Memorial Park. Outside the township, residents have access to even more green spaces. “People can piggyback off a lot of the city of Pittsburgh’s parks. Right down Rialto Street you can bike on Herr's Island and the river trails that connect all the way to Washington D.C.,” Kowalski says.
Residents walk their dogs at Girty's Woods in central Reserve Township.
Girty's woods is a large plot of green space in Reserve Township.
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Attending Shaler Area School District
Kids attend kindergarten through third grade at Reserve Primary School which earns a B from Niche, followed by fourth through sixth grade at Shaler Area Elementary School which earns a B-minus. Students finish up at Shaler Area Middle School which earns a B and Shaler Area High School which earns a B and provides areas of concentration to help students choose courses that align with specific interests in STEAM careers.
Shaler Aera Middle School is a middle school on Mt Royal Blvd in Shaler Township.
Shaler Area High School is a public school for grades 9-12 and is rated B by Niche.
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Annual Reserve Township Light Up Night
Among holiday celebrations throughout the year, Light Up Night on the Thursday after Thanksgiving is one of the Reserve Township’s best loved and attended. “We get a few hundred people which is a big deal for our small community. We try to do a pretty spectacular event,” Kowalski says. Festivities include rides around the Reserve Township Office’s parking lot, which is decked out in Christmas lights, in horse-drawn carriages, visits from Santa, tree lighting and performances by carolers.
Rialto Street a.k.a. "Pig Hill" takes you up a 24% grade from Pittsburgh to Reserve Township.
Reserve Township is only 15min outside of downtown Pittsburgh.
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Downtown Pittsburgh commutes and Pittsburgh Regional Transit
To get downtown, residents have a 5-mile commute heading west to merge onto Interstate 279 or braving the infamously steep and narrow Rialto Street, also called Pig Hill, to merge onto Route 28. PRT buses run along Mt. Troy Road and Spring Garden Road.
If you need a fast way to travel to downtown from Reserve Township you can take Route 28.
You can find bus stops scattered throughout Reserve Township only 20min from downtown.
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Small businesses and North Hills commercial hubs
While Reserve Township does not have much commercial life, a few locally owned businesses sit off Mount Troy Road and Spring Garden Avenue. One mainstay for bar food and a drink is Hog’s Head Bar & Grill, also called The Pig Bar after the area’s historic role in Pittsburgh’s pork and tanning industries. “It’s a neighborhood watering hole. Our fire chief is the owner,” Kowalski says. Gardeners take their green thumbs to Brenckle’s Greenhouses to peruse fragrant rows of flowers, vegetables and hanging baskets accompanied by the operating family’s greenhouse cat and dog. For groceries, locals can head down to the Shop ‘n Save off Babcock Boulevard. Big box retailers like Target and Best Buy line McKnight Road all the way to Ross Park Mall 5 miles north of the township.
Hog's Head Bar and Grill is the only popular food spot in Reserve Township.
Spring time means buying flowers at Brenckles Greenhouses in Reserve Township.
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Written By
Julia Szymanski
Video By
Bridgette Cyr
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mary Grace Ferraro,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Spring Hill Playground
Baseball/Softball
Playground
Parking Lot
Bernard Dog Run
Dog Park
Herrs Island North Park
Millvale Riverfront Park
Trails
Playground
River
McCarthy Park
Playground
Transit
Airport
Pittsburgh International
34 min drive
Bus
Mt Troy Rd & #3802
Bus
Mt Troy Rd & Geyer
Bus
Spring Garden Ave & #3851
Bus
Mt Troy Rd & Highland
Bus
Mt Troy Rd & Fornoff
Bus
Mt Troy Rd & #2637
Bus
Mt Troy Rd & Most Holy Name Of Jesus Cemetery
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Reserve Township
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Reserve Township Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Reserve Township, Observatory sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Reserve Township, Observatory over the last 12 months is $245,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
A truly unique opportunity awaits at 3226 Spring Garden! This versatile property offers incredible potential—easily convert it into a two-family dwelling with existing separate entrances, or create the ideal setup for a family rental situation. Major updates already completed include a new roof, French drain, and interior sewer line in 2020, plus new siding and new posts on front porch in 2022.
Move right in to this well-cared for home in the Shaler School District. The updated kitchen is a cook's dream with plenty of counter/cabinet space, 2 lazy susans, a large island (w/ double bowl sink) and stainless steel appliances - including a new gas stove and LG Instaview fridge. French doors open to a covered side porch with electric and a ceiling fan, just perfect for having dinner and
Welcome to this must see 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath home in the Shaler Area School District! Full of charm and personality, this two-story feature custom built-ins a fireplace along with stained glass windows in both living room and dining room showcasing historic character and beauty to the homes interior. Enjoy the modern updated kitchen and bathroom. Outside, you'll find a two-car detached garage
Property Id: 357759New 2025 renovations! ChargePoint Level 2 EV charger. End unit townhouse recently remodeled with stainless steel kitchen appliances, flooring, paint, and bathrooms. Very large finished walkout basement/gameroom to a ground level deck and fenced back yard. Large open living areas with elaborate crown molding. Master bedroom with en suite bath. Laundry off kitchen on main
Property Id: 357773New 2025 renovations! Level 2 EV charger. End unit townhouse recently remodeled with all new kitchen, flooring, paint, and bathrooms. Large finished walkout basement/gameroom lead to a concrete patio and fenced back yard. Spacious living areas with elaborate crown molding. Master bedroom with en suite bath. Laundry off kitchen on main floor. Quality upgrades and elegant
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mary Grace Ferraro,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,970
Median Age
45
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$74,604
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$85,115
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.8%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
27.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.7%
% Population in Labor Force
66.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
40''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
17/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
11/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
