White Township

Surrounded by forests of maples, willows and pines, White Township offers a quiet residential alcove for buyers hoping to stay close to shopping and dining options while enjoying the serenity of western Pennsylvania. White Township sits comfortably between Beaver Falls and Chippewa Township, offering residents access to both a walkable downtown area and a suburban strip mall hub. "Beaver Falls is home to Geneva College, which is a walkable campus with great college town energy, and people like being close to that," says Licia Cogley, mayor of the neighboring borough of West Mayfield. "There's a great report between the communities here," she says.

Homes in White Township are similar in style and price to those in West Mayfield, with ranch-style, Cape Cod and colonial builds making up most of the inventory. Neighbors enjoy decorating small front porches and gardens with themed holiday décor, and some lots are large enough to accommodate an above-ground pool in the backyard. Unlike West Mayfield, though, White Township's homes often come with a narrow driveway and a single-car garage, which minimizes street parking.

Lisa Lathom, a Realtor with eXp Realty who has sold numerous homes in the area, says that the affordability of these small communities is a huge draw for buyers looking to put down roots. "There's not a whole lot of movement in the market once people settle down," she says. Three-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot homes usually list around $150,000, cheaper than the average in both Beaver Falls and Chippewa. And while you may not have sidewalks outside your home in White Township, you'll have plenty of places nearby that are perfect for a stroll.

Covering almost 2,000 acres, Brady's Run Park is the largest in Beaver County and offers space for everything from biking to birthday parties. Here, you can bring the dog for a leisurely walk before a more energetic experience in the dog park. During trout season, you can reserve a campsite on the bank of the park's 28-acre lake. Kids can test their climbing skills on the playground while parents set up snacks in the large picnic shelter, and teens love practicing their latest tricks at the skate park. And with an indoor recreation facility with an ice arena, tennis courts and a track, you won't have to reschedule your plans when bad weather moves in. Throughout the year, you can also sign up to attend events such as races, hiking retreats and hunting sessions at Brady's Run.

In the fall, students living in White Township prepare to return to class at one of the local Big Beaver Falls Area School District locations. Many students will start at Central Elementary School, which maintains a grade of C on Niche. After attending Beaver Falls Middle School, which also maintains a grade of C on Niche, students can move on to Beaver Falls High School, which maintains a grade of B-minus. As they approach graduation, students can sign up for courses at the Beaver County Career and Technical Center, which can help prepare them for future job opportunities.

When it comes to shopping and dining, Mayor Cogley says that many people venture over to Chippewa for the essentials. "Chippewa is close to the Ohio border, so you have a lot of people coming over here to shop," she says. You'll find diverse restaurants, a Giant Eagle Supermarket, a Walmart and The Home Depot off Chippewa's Constitution Boulevard. For a more walkable experience, head to downtown Beaver Falls, where a stroll on Seventh Avenue reveals local favorites such as Chilly Willy Cheesesteaks.

Beaver Falls is also home to multiple primary care physicians, and Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital is just 6 miles away for emergencies. If you want to explore downtown Pittsburgh's endless shopping and dining options, Interstate 376 provides a quick route for the 40-mile trip, passing by Pittsburgh International Airport on the way. And with access to public transportation in Beaver Falls, you can still enjoy a car-less lifestyle in the small community of White Township.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Bill Marrs

Video By

Victoria Sharpe