Aliquippa is the home of the Aliquippa Sons of Italy, where world-famous composer Henry Mancini first cut his musical chops.
Aliquippa is a hearty old steel town in Western Pennsylvania
Aliquippa is the home of the Aliquippa Sons of Italy, where world-famous composer Henry Mancini first cut his musical chops.
Aliquippa is a hearty old steel town in Western Pennsylvania. Thanks to its past, it has a wide mix of cultures that creates an interesting experience, as there is so much to do and see throughout the year as each culture celebrates its past. The town has seen better days, as it was hit hard by the closing of the steel mills, but its citizens have stuck through and are rebuilding the town while revitalizing its center.
You won't find much in the way of furnished apartments in Aliquippa. You may be able to find some builds with all bills paid apartments for rent in them, and if you do, you should snap them up quickly -- winters in western Pennsylvania can get particularly bitter, and heating bills can run high. If you can't find one with paid utilities, make sure the units you check out have good protection against the cold -- make sure the windows seal tight and there are no drafts.
The good news about all this? You won't need much in the way of lead-time or too much of a security payment socked away when you start looking for an apartment to rent. There are always vacancies, so finding a place shouldn't be too hard or take too long.
Aliquippa has a pretty unique shape to it, almost like a hammerhead shark -- stretching out along the Ohio River, but then narrowing down and stretching west. This leads to having two basic and significantly different neighborhoods. The river neighborhood is mostly industrial, and the homes in this stretch of land are older, single homes. You may find some duplexes for rent around here, but not often. There's not much in the way of rentals or commercial business in this area, either.
The rest of the town, to the west, is a mix of commercial and residential, with some light industrial scattered throughout. It definitely offers more housing options, including 3 bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom apartments for rent. Start your search at buildings and complexes such as Towne Tower Apartments and Valley Terrace Apartments.
You can make do in Aliquippa without a vehicle, although it's not easy. Beaver County Transit Authority runs some routes through the area, and the main body of the town is easy to walk or bike. However, if you plan on spending a lot of time outside of town, you won't be able to make do without a vehicle. Given the snows the region can get, investing in a four-wheel drive might not be a bad idea.
Beaver County Park Property, a few miles west of town, provides hiking opportunities during the good weather, as well as kayaking and fishing in Ambridge Reservoir. You can fish and boat in the Ohio River that runs along town, but you need to be cautious -- it is a fast, rough river that has taken boaters before. Always strap on a life jacket before you head out on the water.
Befitting a town with such a diverse collection of backgrounds -- thanks to the pull of the steel mills in the middle of the 20th century -- there are numerous festivals throughout the year celebrating the different cultures. The San Rocco Italian Festival is a major yearly draw, bringing in folks from around the region, and the Aliquippa Greek Festival offers plenty of food and entertainment. If you're not a foodie, but love art and music, the Aliquippa Arts and Music Festival, set up by the Franklin Center outreach center, showcases plenty of talent.
Another way the city shows off the diversity of the heritages found within is in its restaurants. J.W. Halls Steak and Seafood is rated highly, while Empire Palace provides a taste of China. It's even home to Palms Brazilian Steakhouse, offering the traditional Gaucho steakhouse fare and tradition.
