Wilkins

Wilkins Township is a reliable suburban community focused on cleanliness and care. “It’s kind of always been the same, but that’s a good thing. There may be a couple of better restaurants now, but the township has always been a consistently nice area to live,” says Realtor Corey Burns with Coldwell Banker Realty, a longtime resident of the area who went to high school in Wilkins Township and has now sold numerous homes here as well. With a short commute to downtown Pittsburgh and shopping and dining options close to home, Wilkins Township offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle, and “you’re not going to leave unless you have to,” Burns says.<br><br>With about 6,300 residents in less than 3 square miles, the township has a somewhat dense feel, and homeowners take pride in their properties by maintaining landscaped gardens with colorful flowers that pop in spring and summer. “Buyers are really drawn by the way people take care of the neighborhoods and the streets,” says Burns. Most of the hilly streets have sidewalks shaded by mature trees, and homes range from simple ranch-style houses to grand Georgian estates and colonial builds with smooth and symmetrical white columns. While the township’s average list price stays in the $200,000 range, slightly higher than the surrounding Penn Hills area, you’ll find everything from $100,000 fixers to spacious $370,000 four-bedroom homes here, making the township accessible for buyers at multiple price points.<br><br>Students living in Wilkins Township attend schools in the Woodland Hills School District, which has an overall grade of B-minus on Niche and is the only district in the state to offer a K-12 robotics program. Many students will start at Wilkins Elementary STEAM Academy before moving on to Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy, which both maintain grades of C on Niche. In high school, students can join the robust performing arts department at Woodland Hills Senior High School, which maintains a grade of B-minus on Niche and puts on multiple theatrical productions each year.<br><br>After school, kids will have plenty of options for playdates at one of the neighborhood parks. At Lions Park, kids enjoy the mini zip line and the contemporary green and blue playscape, which sits beside a full-size roller hockey rink. Natural trails meander beside a creek, and you’ll often find colorful signage detailing local flora and fauna in the area. At Eastmont Park, baseball fields border a fiery orange and red playground, and Linhart Park is a popular stop for kids in the center of the community. About a mile away, the Edgewood Country Club offers a private golf course, tennis court and pool for members.<br><br>In the evening, bring your crew to Penn Center East for a colorful dinner at Rey Azteca, a popular casual Mexican restaurant. If you miss the beach, transport your taste buds with a fresh dish from Ocean Treasures Cajun Seafood and Bar. If you grab your food to go, you can dine under the lamp light in the shopping center’s circular outdoor patio. From here, you can easily hop on William Penn Highway or take a local bus east to Monroeville Mall, which houses everything from department stores like Macy’s to smaller boutiques such as American Eagle. On the weekend, you can pick up produce from the local Monroeville Lions Farmer’s Market or stop for a movie at the Cinemark theater. You can also plan a go-karting adventure at Full Throttle Adrenaline Park. And in summer, Realtor Burns says to come early for the Fourth of July parade and fireworks show that takes place annually at the mall.<br><br>Across the street from the mall, you can pick up bulk items at Sam’s Club or stop at the Shop ‘n Save on William Penn Highway on your way home. With easy access to Interstate 376, you’ll enjoy a less than 15-mile commute to downtown Pittsburgh and a 30-mile commute to the Pittsburgh International Airport. For emergencies, Forbes Regional Hospital sits less than 10 miles east in Monroeville. If you’re looking for a well-rounded suburban community close to the city, you might find your next home in Wilkins Township.