Section Image

Reserve Township

Reserve Township

Suburban Neighborhood in Observatory, Pennsylvania

Allegheny County 15209, 15212, 15214

$229,107 Average Value
$168 Average Price per Sq Ft
5 Homes For Sale

Hills and valleys of homes above the Allegheny River

Hanging off hillsides crowned with aged industrial-era homes, time-worn cemeteries and midcentury suburbs further north of Pittsburgh’s city limits, Reserve Township is a long-established gateway to the North Hills. “It's a very small community where people are keyed into what’s going on in their neighborhoods,” says Jan Kowalski, manager of Reserve Township. “We have fantastic views of the city skyline.” Within 5 miles of downtown Pittsburgh, Reserve Township balances suburban schools and shopping centers with connection to the green spaces and local businesses enriching post-industrial communities along the Allegheny River.

Well kept properties in Reserve Township.
Well kept properties in Reserve Township.
Aerial of Reserve Township facing north of Route 28.
Aerial of Reserve Township facing north of Route 28.
1/2

Prewar homes and hilly midcentury suburbs

Jutting over hillsides above Troy Hill and Millvale on the southern edge of the township and standing along the Spring Garden Avenue valley, a mix of late 19th-century and prewar single-family homes sell for $100,000 to $300,000 depending on square footage and renovation levels. Further north, side streets and subdivisions on rolling hills become wider and more suburban, lined by small ranch-style, Minimal Traditional and simple two-story homes built in the 1940s through 1970s which sell for $170,000 to $300,000. Townhouses built in pairs on grassy subdivisions in the 1990s sell for $230,000 to $290,000. A few churches pop up between homes throughout the township.

You can find many bungalow style houses in Reserve Township.
You can find many bungalow style houses in Reserve Township.
Some streets in Reserve Township are pre war brick roads.
Some streets in Reserve Township are pre war brick roads.
1/2

Downtown Pittsburgh commutes and Pittsburgh Regional Transit

To get downtown, residents have a 5-mile commute heading west to merge onto Interstate 279 or braving the infamously steep and narrow Rialto Street, also called Pig Hill, to merge onto Route 28. PRT buses run along Mt. Troy Road and Spring Garden Road.

If you need a fast way to travel to downtown from Reserve Township you can take Route 28.
If you need a fast way to travel to downtown from Reserve Township you can take Route 28.
You can find bus stops scattered throughout Reserve Township only 20min from downtown.
You can find bus stops scattered throughout Reserve Township only 20min from downtown.
1/2

Small businesses and North Hills commercial hubs

While Reserve Township does not have much commercial life, a few locally owned businesses sit off Mount Troy Road and Spring Garden Avenue. One mainstay for bar food and a drink is Hog’s Head Bar & Grill, also called The Pig Bar after the area’s historic role in Pittsburgh’s pork and tanning industries. “It’s a neighborhood watering hole. Our fire chief is the owner,” Kowalski says. Gardeners take their green thumbs to Brenckle’s Greenhouses to peruse fragrant rows of flowers, vegetables and hanging baskets accompanied by the operating family’s greenhouse cat and dog. For groceries, locals can head down to the Shop ‘n Save off Babcock Boulevard. Big box retailers like Target and Best Buy line McKnight Road all the way to Ross Park Mall 5 miles north of the township.

Hog's Head Bar and Grill is the only popular food spot in Reserve Township.
Hog's Head Bar and Grill is the only popular food spot in Reserve Township.
Spring time means buying flowers at Brenckles Greenhouses in Reserve Township.
Spring time means buying flowers at Brenckles Greenhouses in Reserve Township.
1/2

Girty’s Woods, community parks and nearby river trails

From an access point down Irwin Lane, hikers venture through deep woods extending down into Millvale on steep, narrow trails through Girty’s Woods. Locals can find an unnamed pocket playground and basketball court fenced between houses on Spring Garden Avenue or shoot some hoops below the tiny, grassy baseball field at William R. Prom Memorial Park. Outside the township, residents have access to even more green spaces. “People can piggyback off a lot of the city of Pittsburgh’s parks. Right down Rialto Street you can bike on Herr's Island and the river trails that connect all the way to Washington D.C.,” Kowalski says.

Residents walk their dogs at Girty's Woods in central Reserve Township.
Residents walk their dogs at Girty's Woods in central Reserve Township.
Girty's woods is a large plot of green space in Reserve Township.
Girty's woods is a large plot of green space in Reserve Township.
1/2

Attending Shaler Area School District

Kids attend kindergarten through third grade at Reserve Primary School which earns a B from Niche, followed by fourth through sixth grade at Shaler Area Elementary School which earns a B-minus. Students finish up at Shaler Area Middle School which earns a B and Shaler Area High School which earns a B and provides areas of concentration to help students choose courses that align with specific interests in STEAM careers.

Shaler Aera Middle School is a middle school on Mt Royal Blvd in Shaler Township.
Shaler Aera Middle School is a middle school on Mt Royal Blvd in Shaler Township.
Shaler Area High School is a public school for grades 9-12 and is rated B by Niche.
Shaler Area High School is a public school for grades 9-12 and is rated B by Niche.
1/2

Annual Reserve Township Light Up Night

Among holiday celebrations throughout the year, Light Up Night on the Thursday after Thanksgiving is one of the Reserve Township’s best loved and attended. “We get a few hundred people which is a big deal for our small community. We try to do a pretty spectacular event,” Kowalski says. Festivities include rides around the Reserve Township Office’s parking lot, which is decked out in Christmas lights, in horse-drawn carriages, visits from Santa, tree lighting and performances by carolers.

Rialto Street a.k.a.
Rialto Street a.k.a. "Pig Hill" takes you up a 24% grade from Pittsburgh to Reserve Township.
Reserve Township is only 15min outside of downtown Pittsburgh.
Reserve Township is only 15min outside of downtown Pittsburgh.
1/2
Julia Szymanski
Written By
Julia Szymanski
Bridgette Cyr
Video By
Bridgette Cyr

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Stacy M. Romanias, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Pittsburgh International

34 min drive

Bus

Mt Troy Rd & #3802

Bus

Mt Troy Rd & Geyer

Bus

Spring Garden Ave & #3851

Bus

Mt Troy Rd & Highland

Bus

Mt Troy Rd & Fornoff

Bus

Mt Troy Rd & #2637

Bus

Mt Troy Rd & Most Holy Name Of Jesus Cemetery

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Reserve Township US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$245,000
Median Single Family Price
$249,900
Median Townhouse Price
$249,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$168
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
47
Months of Supply
1.30
Median List Price
$252,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,367
Median Year Built
1951
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,412
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,627
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Stacy M. Romanias, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,970
Median Age
45
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.1%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$74,604
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$85,115

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
93.8%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
27.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.7%
% Population in Labor Force
66.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
40''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

17 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

11 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Reserve Township neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Reserve Township