Besides its surplus of rich cultural attractions, including the Depreciation Lands Museum, with its living history educational amusements, and the All Saints Braddock Catholic Cemetery, Allison Park also plays home to the much beloved Jump! Zone Party Play Center, which boasts inflatables and bounce houses of every imaginable description, from Snow White's Castle to the sinking Titanic. Presumably, the slides are only for children.
Though it seems like just a typical CDP in Western Pennsylvania, Allison Park has plenty to offer social, outdoorsy folks as much as their misanthropic loner counterparts that many other CDPs in the nation can't claim. Deep, gorgeous woods and a bustling town center keep disparate personalities cheery, but this is definitely a land for the hardy fresh air types, as people love to fish, hike, kayak and ride horses whenever the weather cooperates (depending on your notion of "cooperation"), all before they gussy up for a night on the town drinking cocktails and chatting up locals. Oh yeah, it's a small town, so you'll probably get to know everyone in the neighborhood. But in a totally charming not at all claustrophobic kinda way. Are you raring to get your boots dirty? Welcome to Allison Park, friend.
Moving to Allison Park
Besides warm clothing and a devil-may-care attitude, newbies should prepare in a few other ways for the Allison Park rental market before diving in. It's a smaller town, so everybody will know you before too long. Keep your interactions friendly and your social calendar will never feel forsaken. The housing prices is a wee bit above what you might find elsewhere in the state, but so are incomes, and there's always something for everyone. The high tide lifts all boats, and regardless of your requirements, there's plenty to see, do and rent here. Just make sure to plan well ahead if you want to rent a one-bedroom apartment, houses for rent and to own are far more commonplace, and renters may struggle for a few months to find the perfect accommodations. The good news, if you search hard enough you may discover a real find: a rental with included utilities.
Neighborhoods
Allison Park is too small to have traditional neighborhoods, but there are some minor differences between areas along the compass points.
North: Closer to Hampton Township proper and Allegheny County's North Park, there are plenty of thrilling outdoor excursions in this area ready to be explored. Closer to I-76 you'll find tasty restaurants including both independent ethnic options and tried-and-true chains.
South: Southern Allison Parkers tend to veer towards Pittsburgh when they want to make memories. This area has good access to freeways and highways, and it's closer to the Allegheny River for all you kayaking enthusiasts. And closer to Pittsburgh means a better likelihood of finding a charming apt for rent.
West: Also sitting pretty beneath the Allegheny North Park, Western Allison has oodles of open land, and many housing lots are very lush. But it's a bit separated from the big thoroughfares in the other areas. You'll drive a little further to get to work or play, but the serene environment may be worth it.
Life in Allison Park
Western Pennsylvania, and Allison Park along with it, has four full seasons. But even spring, fall and occasionally summer sees its fair share of cloudy skies and drizzly raindrops. That never stops the residents from enjoying the outdoors, however. Potential denizens should pack up some rubber boots and an adventurous attitude, because once the temps reach 50, most folks are racing for the woods, parks and pools to take advantage of the "good" weather. It's a hilly area too, so winters are full of snowy sliding fun. But if you need a heaping dose of vitamin D every day, you may want to invest in a sun lamp while hunting for places to rent.
Natives go back and forth about the walkability of Allison Park. It really isn't wildly walkable, and you'll need a car to get from point A to point B, unless B is the woods behind your residence. Some lucky ducks will settle near the center of town, where it is possible to stroll your way to a theater, restaurant and bank without breaking a sweat, but remember that most seasons won't welcome you with sunshine and cloudless skies. As for public transit, well, you might be waiting a while. Pick your bike instead for a scenic view and exercise in one, plus you can get most places lickety-split (just pack water, those hills aren't kidding), and remember that warning about weather.
Allison Park really is one of those places where people are just better at living. They enjoy every moment, wasting not a second of time that could be used to strengthen family ties, take advantage of nature's recreational amenities or scoop up the latest sale. With its variety of entertainments, both indoors and out, high-end and common, Allison makes it easy for every personality to find something enjoyable to do or not do. The key to success here, though, is definitely having a willing spirit and appreciative demeanor. Sometimes the weather will rain on your parade, sometimes the traffic will make you late, sometimes that brown patch on your lawn will refuse to bloom. Shake it off, find a tree to climb or head to the bar with a friend. Griping is strictly for outsiders.
