Scott Township - Pittsburgh, PA

The land comprising Scott Township saw its first inhabitants in the late-18th century, when Alexander Long, Andrew McFarlane, John Henry and William Lea settled the area. Much like the rest of southern Pittsburgh, the area boomed throughout the late-19th century due to ample natural resources. In particular, coal mining became one of the community’s chief industries.

Scott Township invested early and heavily in education, with the first schoolhouse constructed around 1840 and two more opening within the next 25 years. By the time World War II ended in the mid-20th century, the community had a strong reputation as a desirable residential neighborhood, which helped spur its largest period of growth in the 1950s. Location and proximity to major highways give Scott Township easy access to downtown Pittsburgh and the various cultural institutions within the city, including The Andy Warhol Museum on Sandusky Street.

Although not a culinary destination per se, Scott Township provides sufficient options for everyday dining. Restaurants range from fast food to take-out to sit-down environments, and many of the best spots lie on or near Greentree Road near the northern border of the community. Night owls should head north to Washington Avenue in nearby Carnegie, where several sports bars and lounges keep their lights on into the wee hours.

Over on Greentree Road, Osaka Sushi and Chinese Restaurant serves classic dishes from the Far East in an elegant, minimalist dining space. You can’t go wrong with the sushi lunch special, with five types of fish and your choice of soup or salad, but consider the Tea Smoked Duck as well. This ancient Chinese specialty comes fully carved and flavored with hoisin sauce.

A popular mini-chain in the Pittsburgh area, Mad Mex specializes in Mexican food with an American twist. A go-to destination for a casual dinner with friends, Mad Mex has the best guacamole in town. Don’t leave without trying the fish tacos, made with cornmeal-crusted tilapia and chipotle aioli.

When a craving hits for homestyle Italian food, head to Arpino Trattoria on Cochran Road. The menu here abandons bells and whistles in favor of classic preparations done right. Order the ravioli in meat sauce or the penne a la vodka, the latter exhibiting a perfect balance of sweet and savory with a gentle bite. Make reservations to ensure a table, and dine in the open-air courtyard during the warmer months.

After dinner, grab your friends and head north to 99 Bottles on Washington Avenue. Despite the name, 99 Bottles sells over 500 different types of beer. One part retail store and one part bar, the helpful beer experts behind the counter here can recommend just the style to please your palate. It also sells growlers to go, so you can take home your favorite brews.

Driving represents the main mode of transportation for Scott Township residents, although parts of the community lend themselves to recreational walks and bike rides. Still, the vast majority of adults in the community own or lease cars, which they use to easily navigate the neighborhood and reach downtown Pittsburgh. Street parking does exist here, but most homes and apartments have driveways or designated parking spaces. Just to the west of Scott Township, Interstate 79 leads to the city center, a trip that can take as little as 15 minutes. When money is no object and you want the efficiency of a car without the hassle of driving, use your smartphone to reserve a ride via Uber.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County operates a public bus system, and routes 31 and 38 transport riders downtown in 30 to 40 minutes. These bus lines run seven days a week, from as early as 5 a.m. to as late as 11 p.m.

The Scott Township community maintains several green spaces that charge no fee to enter and provide residents with ample opportunity to exercise and enjoy the sun. The most substantial of these, Scott Township Municipal Park, features tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts and various shelters available for rent. Although the park allows leashed pets at certain times and for certain events, dog owners should play it safe and plan to exercise their pets at home.

The municipal park also features a swimming pool, popular with children and open to the public during the summer months. Daily passes start at $4, with season passes also available. Although the pool closes at the end of summer, the park comes alive again in the fall for the annual Scott Township Octoberfest. This community event features live music, German dancers, a petting zoo and hay rides.

Given its desirable location and overall livability, Scott Township’s cost of living runs 11 percent higher than the national average, which in turn sits 16 percent higher than the Pittsburgh average. Many residents own their homes, but those who rent face an average monthly rate of $796.

A one-way bus fare from Scott Township to downtown Pittsburgh starts at $2.50, with some transfers requiring additional costs. A beer at a bar in the community costs around $4, and gas prices sit about 17 percent above the national average.

Shopping addicts find plenty to keep them occupied in Scott Township. Many stores lie on or near Greentree Road, and farther west, Washington Pike holds a strip mall called Collier Town Square. Although large chains such as Marshalls and Dollar Tree remain popular with residents, the many smaller businesses provide more distinctive items for discerning shoppers.

On Greentree Road near Manorview Road, kitchen and home store Crate sells everything from practical dishware to specialty gadgets. Up your cooking game by taking a class here, held in the full-service kitchen at the back of the store. You can also rent out the space for private parties.

Fall under the spell of history at Heidelberg Antique Mall on Collier Avenue. A seemingly endless inventory of glassware, furniture, antique toys and home accessories beckons customers with a taste for the historical. Treasures hide behind every corner. Heidelberg also conducts professional estate sales.

When you need groceries and other staples, head to Giant Eagle or Shop N’save, two large chain stores that serve the area. For farm-fresh fare, drive to neighboring Mt. Lebanon, where a farmers market operates on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. between June and October.