A friendly suburb that sticks together in West Pennsylvania
Pleasant Hills, once known for its whiskey production, now provides a suburb perfect for those looking to be close to their neighbors. From gatherings at the local library to community events, the suburb stays friendly with plenty to celebrate. “It’s a close-knit community that’s very family-oriented,” says Kelle Gressem, a Pittsburgh native and Realtor with RE/MAX Select Realty. “People that live in the neighborhood tend to stay here.” Whether they’re at the park, church, or a local restaurant, neighbors can expect to see a familiar face in Pleasant Hills.
Family game nights at Pleasant Hills Library
Pleasant Hills Public Library is the go-to place for indoor events and recreation with programs for adults, teens and children can enjoy. These events include outdoor story times, book clubs, plant swaps and family game nights. The Pleasant Hills Borough also hosts community events throughout the year. Candy Crawl, a trick-or-treating path, comes to town during the Halloween season, while National Night Out is a huge summer parade and block party with barbecue trucks, bouncy houses and local police K-9 demonstrations.
Picnics at Mowry Park
Pleasant Kingdom Playground provides a large, shaded play area with tire swings and wooden structures, plus a walking path that loops around it. Mowry Park hosts neighborhood events like Community Day and has soccer and baseball fields. There’s also a picnic area with a grill for barbecues and birthday parties. The nearest public course is South Park Golf Course. Pleasant Hills Arboretum, a 16-acre community that’s home to over 100 bird species, was noted as a “living museum” by the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh. The public library has installed a storied hike there, where people can read a picture book while walking through the trail.
Tudor cottages with character
Pleasant Hills is composed of winding roads and cul-de-sacs surrounding the main thoroughfare Old Clairton Road. Homes often have sizeable yards decorated with garden beds and bushes. “Pleasant Hills is pretty unique because there’s a lot of old-style architecture. The homes have a castle-like feel,” says Missy Foltz, a 20-year South Park resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. “I have one client who chose to live here because he wanted a home with character.” Prospective buyers can choose from older Tudor cottages ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 and newly constructed traditional homes ranging from $400,000 to $550,000.
Well-esteemed schools in Pleasant Hills
The West Jefferson Hills School District serves children in Pleasant Hills and earns an A from Niche. Kids can attend McClellan Elementary, which receives an A-minus, before possibly advancing to Pleasant Hills Middle. The middle school receives a B-plus and has received the Keystone Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for four consecutive years. Students may move on to Thomas Jefferson High School, which earns a B from Niche and offers many athletic programs, including bowling. The nearest private school is Cornerstone Christian Preparatory Academy, while churches in the area include Pleasant Hills Church, Freedom Life Center and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Date nights at Altria’s
There’s a variety of locally owned eateries in Pleasant Hills such as Atria’s Restaurant – Pleasant Hills, which serves Italian American fare in a contemporary, low-light interior ideal for date nights. Pleasant Bar is a perfect place to hang out with friends in a laid-back spot, complete with karaoke and outdoor seating. Pastries A-La-Carte serves a wide range of desserts from cheesecake to donuts in a compact, takeout-only bakery. Century III Plaza is home to big-box stores such as Aldi, Giant Eagle Supermarket and Home Depot.
Take the bus to downtown Pittsburgh
Pleasant Hills has a CAP index crime score of 2, compared to the national average of 4. Downtown Pittsburgh is about nine miles away and easy to commute to by hopping on Pennsylvania Route 51 or taking the public bus that has many stops along the main road. Pittsburgh International Airport is 24 miles away.
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Kirkpatrick
