Did you know that aluminum alloys are as strong as, if not more than, steel? Speaking of aluminum, did you know that New Kensington is considered the "Birthplace of the Aluminum Industry?"
Do you like the proximity of living near a large city, but prefer to sleep in a quieter town? New Kensington is a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA, a city ranked number one by Sperling's BestPlaces in "The Best Cities to Relocate to in America" category. Tucked along the Allegheny River, New Kensington is where history meets small-town charm with modern-day benefits. It's kind of like friends with benefits, but without all the commitment issues. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1892 and its claim to fame is metal (no, not the musical variety): New Kensington was home to the Aluminum Company of America's first large-scale manufacturing hub.
Moving to New Kensington
You won't need an excessive amount of money to live in New Kensington -- it's one of the more affordable places to live.
Month-to-month rentals as well as apartments with paid utilities are also possibilities. You might even find a duplex for rent. Vacancy rates, however, are on the lower end in New Kensington, so you will want to give yourself plenty of time to find a rental. Most rentals are snagged in August and again in May / June.
When moving to New Kensington, don't forget to consider the proximity to the Pennsylvania State University, New Kensington before signing on the dotted line. If you find that seemingly perfect rental near the college, you might be in for college students as neighbors. Upside: they might invite you to some awesome parties. Downside: you can't handle the all-nighters anymore.
Neighborhoods in New Kensington
New Kensington has a number of neighborhoods to choose from. From the bustling downtown district to a calm neighborhood atmosphere, there's plenty to check out in this town.
Downtown Historic District: New Kensington has a charming downtown historic district that was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The area is also referred to as the New Kensington Commercial and Residential Historic District. It includes 143 buildings built between 1891 and 1947 in the central business district and a handful of others in the residential areas surrounding the center.
Parnassus: The Parnassus neighborhood of New Kensington runs along the Allegheny River and offers rentals in mostly older properties. Rentals in Parnassus are often smaller studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments in single-family homes and high-rise apartment complexes. There are a few restaurants, shops, and banks sprinkled throughout this neighborhood. Perhaps the most notable is The House of 1,000 Beers. Can you guess what you might find there?
Valley Camp: The Valley Camp neighborhood of New Kensington offers small- and medium-size rentals in apartment complexes, single-family homes, and high-rise buildings. There's not a whole lot in this neighborhood except gas, hotels, and a big grocery store.
Living in New Kensington
Situated just 18 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, New Kensington offers small-town living with modern conveniences and an easy commute for working in the bigger city. New Kensington has a population of around 13,000 residents and plenty of places for rent.
Average temperatures in New Kensington range from a low of around 30 with a high in the low 70s. If you enjoy living somewhere with seasonal changes, but not to the extreme, New Kensington might just be the right fit.
New Kensington is a walking and bike-friendly town for those who actually enjoy getting a little sweaty and working out. Luckily, because the temperatures in New Kensington don't get too hot, it's the perfect place to start that new exercise routine.
New Kensington sits along the Allegheny River, a body of water 315 miles long flowing through the states of New York and Pennsylvania. There is an Allegheny River Terminal in New Kensington on Fifth Street.
Parks in New Kensington
There are several nice parks to choose from in New Kensington, and they host various social events throughout the year.
Memorial Park is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The park features walking and biking trails, tennis courts, green grass and a jet airplane.
The Massa Harbison Park is home to the Massa Harbison Cabin. The log cabin is actually a reproduction of the original in which Massa Harbison lived with her family in the 1700s. The local lore surrounding Massa involves a spy, a kidnapping, scalping, and an escape.
Other parks located in New Kensington include Parnassus Park, Fairmont Park, JFK Playground, and Summit Street Park. All parks are open to the public and great places to enjoy a picnic, walk, or even ride a bike.