Suburb with access to shopping and dining in the North Hills
In the North Hills of Pittsburgh, Ross Township offers comfortable suburban living with access to some of the region’s most popular shopping and dining destinations. Residential subdivisions and community parks surround the McKnight Road corridor. “McKnight Road is our commercial district, and that runs right through Ross Township,” says Linda Honeywill, an associate broker with the Honeywill Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty. “There’s a ton of commercial development there with restaurants, shopping and the biggest mall in the North Hills.” The Ross Park Mall is home to over 170 different retailers, making it the sixth-largest mall in Pennsylvania.
In addition to its vibrant commercial corridor, Ross Township is part of the highly rated North Hills School District, which Niche ranks as the 15th-best school district in the Pittsburgh Area. “The school district has an excellent reputation, and that’s a huge draw for buyers,” says Sara Leitera, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices with over 15 years of experience in the industry. “It’s also one of the closest suburbs right outside of the city, and it’s an easy commute on Interstate 279.” I-279 winds through the southwestern corner of town and connects residents to Pittsburgh, less than 10 miles south across the Allegheny River.
The McKnight Road corridor and the Ross Park Mall
The McKnight Road corridor passes through the eastern half of town and is a hot spot for shopping and dining. The Ross Park Mall anchors the commercial corridor with a mix of shops, restaurants and department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom. A bit further south along McKnight Road is the North Hills Village shopping center, which offers big-box shops such as Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy. There are also several grocery stores, including Kuhn’s Market, Aldi and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
The commercial corridor is also home to a variety of flavors, from Indian cuisine at Taj Mahal Restaurant to traditional Chinese dishes at Hong BBQ & Hot Pot and Mexican-style street food at Doce Taqueria. Other dining favorites include Hal’s Bar & Grill, a casual spot serving craft beer and pub grub with the latest sports game on TV. The bar is also a gathering spot for community events like Hal’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, which spreads holiday cheer with festive drinks and an appearance from Santa Claus. Rico’s Restaurant is a family-owned spot known for its homestyle Italian food, curated wine list and old-school décor.
Ross Township offers a mix of housing options and styles
Homebuyers will find a variety of housing options in Ross Township. Residential subdivisions offer a mix of single-family homes, townhouses and condos. Most single-family homes were built around the mid-to-late 20th century, and common architectural styles include split-level, Cape Cod, ranch-style and Colonial Revival houses. “There are absolutely beautiful neighborhoods with stone houses built back in the 1930s and ‘40s,” Honeywill says. “It’s a bit more densely populated, and there are some newer homes as well.” Most properties sit side by side on modest lots, and prices for single-family homes typically range from $175,000 to $450,000. Custom-built properties can sell for $585,000 to $800,000, while prices for New Traditional homes range from $565,000 to $730,000. There are several townhouse and condo developments in Ross Township, and units usually sell for $175,000 to $415,000.
College in High School Program at North Hills Senior High School
The North Hills School District serves the township and earns an overall A-minus grade from Niche. Kids can attend the A-rated Ross Elementary School before moving on to North Hills Middle School and North Hills Senior High School, both of which receive an A-minus. The senior high school’s College in High School Program allows students to earn college credit from local universities, like the University of Pittsburgh, Carlow University and Seton Hill University. All college-level courses are taught on the high school’s campus and are offered at a discounted rate. Private school options include Eden Christian Academy, which serves prekindergarten through 12th grade across its three campuses and earns a B-plus from Niche.
Denny Park and golf course at the Shannopin Country Club
With more than 10 community parks in Ross Township, residents have access to various outdoor spaces. In the southern half of town, Denny Park offers 34 acres of green space and features various athletic facilities, a 9-hole disc golf course and a playground. The Ross Community Center hosts programs for all ages, including preschool story times, youth athletic leagues and adult fitness classes. Smaller neighborhood spots like Herge Park and Scharmyn Park feature playgrounds and sports courts, and the pond in Evergreen Community Park allows catch-and-release fishing. The Shannopin Country Club stretches into the western half of town, and membership comes with access to a racquet sports complex, outdoor pool and 18-hole golf course.
Community events include the Ross Township Farmers Market
The township hosts various events throughout the year. Popular festivities include the annual Independence Day Parade and a series of neighborhood days in Herge Park, Scharmyn Park and Evergreen Community Park. Residents gather outside St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Perrysville for the seasonal Ross Township Farmers Market, which brings fresh produce and local vendors to the community each Wednesday from May through October.
In addition to shopping and dining, The Block Northway is a destination for community events. The shopping center hosts holiday events, farmers markets and live performances from local musicians. Through all four seasons, the I Made It! Market hosts pop-up events in the mall featuring hundreds of local businesses, artists, and makers.
Access to I-279, Pittsburgh commutes and PRT bus service
With few sidewalks and several major thoroughfares passing through town, Ross Township is heavily car-dependent. U.S. Route 19 and Interstate 279 bisect the community and connect the North Hills with downtown Pittsburgh. The Steel City is about 8 miles south, and Pittsburgh International Airport is about 25 miles from town. Pittsburgh Regional Transit provides local bus service throughout Ross Township, with stops concentrated along busy corridors such as McKnight Road. The closest hospital is UPMC Passavant–McCandless, which is less than 4 miles north and boasts the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in western Pennsylvania.
![Anna Dukovich]()
Photography Contributed By
Anna Dukovich
![Brandon Flash Craigie]()
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
