Shopping and recreation are within reach in Westmont
Westmont is a small, Cambria County borough on the edge of thousands of acres of Appalachian hardwood forests, close to downtown Johnstown, with quiet residential pockets and proximity to locally owned businesses and shopping centers. The community began as a small farming village in the late 1800s and is now a peaceful suburb among the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains with a mix of rural and suburban living. "Most people who live in Westmont are attracted to the area for its tree-lined streets and it's rural feel," says Veronica Burket, the Westmont Borough Administrator. "We have sidewalks throughout the area as well, so you can easily walk to parks and the small nearby businesses."
20th-century homes and spacious lots
The ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals, stone cottages and Victorian-inspired houses of Westmont were largely built between the early 20th century and the 1970s, with a few newer builds throughout. While most homes sit close together on properties of a quarter acre or smaller, some wooded lots on the west side of the borough are over a half-acre. Fixer-uppers and investment properties in need of renovation range from $40,000 to $70,000, while move-in-ready homes can go for $70,000 to $630,000, prices increasing alongside property size and square footage.
Career-based learning at Westmont Hilltop Junior-Senior High School
Most of the area’s students attend Westmont Hilltop Elementary School, which earns a B grade from Niche. Also with a B rating, Westmont Hilltop Junior-Senior High School offers a variety of electives for its ninth through 12th-grade students, from graphic design and fabric construction to printmaking and songwriting and recording. The school partners with the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center for its career-based programs of study, including machine tool technology, construction trades and culinary arts. The Community Arts Center of Cambria County hosts art classes, theater productions, adult dance classes and local art exhibits just south of Westmont.
Businesses of Westwood Plaza and a popular brunch spot
The Westwood Plaza lies just north of the community, with businesses including a movie theater, chain restaurants and a Dollar Tree. Jax Diner serves brunch dishes from Belgian waffles to homemade biscuits and gravy. Pizza Man’s Pizza offers made-to-order New York style pies hoagies and pasta. Westmont also has a CVS, and Giant Eagle Supermarket is nearby for groceries. Downtown Johnstown is around 3 miles away via Menoher Boulevard and is home to over a dozen shops and restaurants and the Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.
An expansive state park and nearby athletics
Laurel Ridge State Park spans over 13,000 acres and is home to scenic woodlands, creeks and panoramic mountain vistas. Trail runners, day hikers and backpackers can meander along 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, which offers camping shelters at regular intervals. In the winter months, the state park is popular for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Closer to town, Engh Field has open space, a walking track, a playground and facilities for baseball and basketball. The Grove serves as a local recreation center, with an indoor gymnasium hosting weekly pickleball, drop-in basketball and dance fitness events. The Sunnehanna Country Club has been in Westmont for over a century, with member amenities including a beautifully maintained golf course, a fitness center, an outdoor pool and an upscale restaurant.
CamTran bus routes and access to Pittsburg and Altoona
CamTran operates the area’s bus routes, with nearby stops along Menoher Boulevard. Altoona is around 50 miles northeast, while Pittsburg is roughly 70 miles west. The nearby Johnstown airport offers a small selection of United Airlines flights to Chicago and Washington D.C., while Pittsburg International is the nearest major airport.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
