Where do you want to live? It’s one of the most important questions to ask yourself if you’re considering building a custom home in Greater Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, or Westmoreland County.
The right location depends on much more than finding an available lot. Your commute, schools, recreation, privacy, neighborhood amenities, lot size, and plans for the future can all influence where you build — and even what kind of home makes the most sense once you get there.
In this article, we’ll look at some important considerations to help you narrow the search.
Start With Your Lifestyle
At Ricciuti Enterprise, many of our home buyers are looking for new home communities with amenities like parks, trails, golf, and other nearby recreation. Some want easy access to shopping, restaurants, and everyday services with a manageable commute to Pittsburgh. And others would rather have more land and privacy, even if that means living farther from the city. And for families (or buyers looking to start a family), schools are a priority.
Fortunately, one of the biggest advantages of building a custom home is being able to design it around the way you live. There isn’t one “best” Pittsburgh-area location for every custom home buyer. The goal is to find the place that best supports your lifestyle priorities.
How Important Is Proximity to Pittsburgh?
If you work downtown, commute regularly, or simply enjoy having Pittsburgh’s restaurants, sports, arts, and entertainment close at hand, proximity to the city is key to deciding where to build your custom home.
But don’t look at mileage alone. Consider how you’ll actually travel between your new home and the places you visit most often. Access to major roads, bridges, and highways can significantly affect daily convenience.
Your proximity preferences may change, depending on how often you need to commute. Someone working most of the week remotely may be comfortable traveling farther from Pittsburgh in exchange for more acreage, privacy, or scenic views.
Custom Builder Pro Tip: Try driving your potential commute at the times of day you would normally make it before committing to a homesite.
If Schools Matter, Research More Than Rankings
For families with school-age children, the school district can be one of the biggest factors in deciding where to build a custom home. Online rankings can be a starting point, but they don’t tell the whole story. Take time to explore district websites, academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, transportation, facilities, and individual schools.
For example, O’Hara Township is part of the Fox Chapel Area School District, a nationally recognized, award-winning district approximately 10 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The district encompasses six municipalities and operates four elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.
In the charming town of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, the school district is known for its strong academic programs and close-knit learning environment. Families flock to the area for its friendly neighborhoods and abundance of parks and recreation areas, making this community an excellent place to call home.
The Mount Pleasant Area School District serves the scenic communities in south-central Westmoreland County, including the Mount Pleasant Borough and Township. The district’s official website provides information about its schools, academic programs, activities, and community.
Think About Lot Size, Terrain, and Privacy
The rolling landscape in our Pittsburgh communities adds to the area’s scenic beauty, but it can also make homesite selection a bit challenging. Two lots with similar acreage can offer very different building opportunities depending on slope, drainage, lot access and orientation, utilities, trees, and the location of neighboring homes.
This means your lot can influence custom home design features, such as:
- Walkout basements and garage orientation
- Decks, patios, and covered porches
- Window locations and views
- Landscaping structure, such as retaining walls
- Outdoor kitchens and entertaining areas, such as a pool
Custom Builder Pro Tip: If you’ve already found property, involving your builder early can help you understand how your home design ideas might work with that particular homesite. And if you haven’t selected a lot yet, talking with a custom home builder before purchasing one can help you evaluate potential opportunities with your desired home in mind.
Consider Recreation and Neighborhood Amenities
Does your dream neighborhood include proximity to walking trails, parks, playgrounds, or sports facilities? Or maybe you’re drawn to golf, community amenities, or other outdoor recreation.
For example, O’Hara Township maintains several community parks, playgrounds, ballfields, tennis courts, picnic areas, basketball facilities, and hiking trails. O’Hara Township Community Park includes two playgrounds, two ballfields, tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, hiking trails, and a pond.
You can also explore Westmoreland County, which offers a different mix of recreational opportunities. Its county park system encompasses 11 parks and five trails, including Twin Lakes Park, Mammoth Park, the Five Star Trail, the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, and access to the Great Allegheny Passage.
Looking for the right community to build your custom home to take advantage of amenities like these? Here are some of the most popular new-home neighborhoods with our Ricciuti homeowners.
Miramar Landings: Close to Pittsburgh in O’Hara Township
If you want suburban surroundings without feeling far removed from Pittsburgh, Miramar Landings in O’Hara Township is one example of how location and lifestyle can come together.
This new-home community is located along River Road in Pittsburgh’s 15238 ZIP code, with convenient access to Route 28 and other major roadways. Each new custom home in Miramar Landings offers spectacular views and plenty of green space, without giving up proximity to the city.
Totteridge: Scenic Golf-Course Living in Westmoreland County
If scenic views are at the top of your list for your dream home, but you also want community amenities, you may be willing to venture just a bit farther from Central Pittsburgh. For example, The Villages at Totteridge sits among the rolling hills of Westmoreland County and is built around the Totteridge Golf Course. Yet Totteridge is only about 30 miles from Pittsburgh, with panoramic views of the foothills of the Appalachians.
Amenities include lawn maintenance, snow removal, and exterior upkeep managed by the homeowners’ association. From golfing on the Rees Jones-designed course to unwinding at the poolhouse to socializing with the neighbors at the clubhouse, The Villages at Totteridge are designed for a more relaxed pace of living.
Mt. Pleasant: More Space, Recreation, and a Westmoreland County Lifestyle
Mount Pleasant in Westmoreland County is also well-known for its scenic, green landscapes, making it one of the most coveted areas to build a custom home in Western Pennsylvania. It’s also why Ricciuti builds in the Cherry Wood Estates in Mt. Pleasant Township, from custom single-family homes to luxury villas.
One of the many perks of living in the Township is the 408-acre Mammoth Park, with a 24-acre lake, picnic facilities, hiking opportunities, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and more.
Find the Right Place for the Way You Want to Live in the Pittsburgh Area
You shouldn’t have to choose between a location you love and a home that works for your lifestyle. This is why Ricciuti Enterprise begins every custom home project by taking the time to understand your lifestyle, preferences, and future needs.
With more than 60 years of homebuilding experience in Greater Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Westmoreland County, we can help you find the right location to build a custom home that reflects who you are and how you live. From your first consultation to the final blueprint, our team will guide you through the entire process.
Visit the new home communities where we build and browse properties in these popular neighborhoods for ideas and inspiration. Already have a homesite in mind? Or are you still deciding where you want to put down roots? Contact Ricciuti Enterprise to talk about where you want to build, how you want to live, and the custom home you envision.
