“A man’s [or woman’s] worth is no greater than his [her] ambitions; fix your eyes upon your own North Star and let it guide your steps through the chaos.” Many may think this ancient quote by Marcus Aurelius, an early Roman emperor, to be an indulgent, abstract thought or musing.
Metaphorically speaking, however, the North Star can serve as a “steady reliable guide, purpose or source of direction when things are confusing or uncertain.” So, as you seek to answer the questions of where to build a new home, start a new life, or find that ideal location, consider the “star” area just north of Pittsburgh, where its constellation of bright communities awaits. Why? According to USA Facts/U.S. Census Bureau, “communities along stretches of Interstate 79 and Route 228 are seeing an uptick in new residents, a push that makes Butler County one of the only growing counties in Western Pennsylvania.” A data brief by the University of Pittsburgh – University Center for Social and Urban Research titled “Municipal Population Trends in the Pittsburgh MSA”, May 2026 (based on U.S. Census Bureau 2025 Sub-County Population Estimates), reported that Butler County was the only county in the MSA (metropolitan statistical areas) “with sustained population growth (+6,453 residents, 3.33 percent) driven by continued residential construction in communities such as Cranberry Township and Adams Township (Butler County), and Marshall Township (Allegheny County) along the I-79 corridor.” Further, of the Ten Largest Municipal Gainers, 2020-2025, six of those were in Butler County (Cranberry, Jackson, Slippery Rock, Adams, Lancaster and Middlesex townships). Additionally, the brief showed that of the Ten Largest Municipal Gainers (%) 2020-2025, eight of those 10 were within Butler County (Lancaster, Jackson, Slippery Rock, Middlesex and Forward townships; Valencia, Connoquenessing and Slippery Rock boroughs). Aiding that population growth are the suburban amenities and lifestyle, acclaimed school districts, lower taxes, new home construction with diverse options, local employment and easy access to Pittsburgh from the northern region, among other stellar offerings. Retail and shopping locales also abound north of Pittsburgh including the most recently proposed 13-acre Wegman’s Store, Cranberry Springs, with groundbreaking held August 13 and anticipated opening in Fall 2027; the Meijer Supercenter, a 44-acre Henderson Crossing development between Route 228, Franklin Road and Hillmont Drive, with full grocery, general merchandise and gas station adjacent to multi-family residential units; and the opening of the first Wayfair physical store in Pennsylvania, featuring about 95,000 square feet of shopping space near North Hills Village to open sometime in 2027. “Upscale, newer residential neighborhoods, excellent schools, superior shopping, restaurants, parks, healthcare and highway access are the true drivers making the northern suburbs popular,” cited Darlene Hunter, Vice President/Associate Broker, Regional New Homes Manager and New Home Division, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “I often marvel at how the north just keeps going farther and farther but still provides these great lifestyle opportunities.” She also noted that businesses have followed the population and jobs have followed the businesses. “As an example, I believe the Cranberry population has had significant growth since the year 2000: About 40 percent with jobs up about 91 percent. This township now describes itself as an emerging center for technology, engineering, customer service and corporate activity. There are abundant job opportunities, however, the easy accessibility to the city of Pittsburgh, if needed, is there.” Alex Giannetti, TV Host/Realtor, REMAX®, is also witnessing the continuing growth in the northern corridor throughout 2026, noting with interest that growth was not confined to Cranberry Township and the immediate surrounding communities. “We are watching that development continuing farther north into areas such as Jackson Township, Middlesex Township and other parts of Butler County,” he said. “Cranberry, however, remains at the center of that activity. It continues to have single-family homes, townhomes, apartments and mixed-use developments under construction or in planning. It is a clear example of an established northern community continuing to reinvent itself. Developments such as Meeder are expanding and additional communities are moving forward as well.” But he also sees that Mars and the surrounding Adams Township area continue to benefit from Route 228 development and the attractiveness of the Mars Area School District. “What was once perceived by some Pittsburgh buyers as ‘pretty far north’ increasingly feels like a natural extension of the northern suburbs. And, I think (the city of) Butler’s opportunity is more about revitalization and reinvestment. In 2026, local organizations began pursuing Pennsylvania’s Main Street designation as part of a broader effort to create additional opportunities for downtown Butler.” Giannetti believes that the best evidence of growth farther north can be seen in Jackson Township. “Projects currently under construction or development include Seneca Trails, Woodland Reserve, The Views of Harmony and several others,” he continued. “Kobe Point received approval for 42 single- family homes and 24 townhomes, while a proposed Londonberry Ridge development could eventually add 173 single-family homes and 108 townhomes. Middlesex Township has also identified several housing developments expected to make 2026 a busy construction year.” A question that preys upon many including Giannetti, however, is that of infrastructure. “I would not say that infrastructure is completely prepared for unlimited expansion but I would say that communities and the county clearly recognize the need to stay ahead of it,” he explained. “Butler County is pursuing the massive Gateway 228 improvement program* and the road, intersection, utility and traffic improvements throughout this corridor are becoming just as important as the developments themselves.” [*This program is a multi-purpose transportation initiative updating safety and efficiency of roadways in south Butler County aimed at upgrading, reducing congestion and enhancing economic growth along the Route 228 corridor.]
Jeff Costa, Founder, Costa Homebuilders credits growth in the northern suburbs to a few key factors -— access, quality of life and lifestyle necessities. “Easy access to and from the city has made the northern areas very attractive, especially for families who want more space without feeling disconnected from Pittsburgh,” he said. “We’re also seeing more people relocate to Pittsburgh from higher cost areas. They recognize what those of us who live here have known for a long time: Pittsburgh offers a great combination of charm, strong school districts, highly rated colleges, world class universities and healthcare, and a cost of living that can be very attractive when compared to other major metropolitan areas.” He continued that the mix of people he sees for his builds are married couples, young families, empty nesters, and individuals approaching or entering retirement, a testament to the north’s appeal to Pittsburgh’s diversity of people. At the same time, he believes that the pandemic also changed what people expect from their homes. “With more people working remotely or on a hybrid schedule, families started looking for homes that function better for the way they actually live, whether that means a dedicated home office, flexible work spaces or simply more room for everyone.” He concluded that for families thinking long-term about where they want to live, work, raise their children, and build a home, the above factors can make the northern Pittsburgh area a very compelling choice. As a custom builder, Costa Homebuilders constructs homes throughout the northern region and elsewhere, becoming known for building on raw land. He acknowledges that there is so much more involved than just finding a lot and putting a house on it. “You have to understand the property, the site conditions, what it takes to prepare the land, and how the home should be positioned and designed to work with that particular lot,” he explained. “That’s where our experience really sets us apart. We know how to evaluate the raw land before construction begins and identify the challenges and opportunities it presents. We don’t take a model and try to force it onto the property. We start with the land, then design a custom home around the lot and the way the family wants to live. This has become one of our greatest strengths as a builder.” Currently, Costa builds about 70 percent of his homes on a client’s own lot with 30 percent built in communities and subdivisions. Homes vary in size, architectural style, features and pricing dependent on the scope of the project, home site, size, finishes and selected amenities. “Some clients choose specialty amenities such as indoor sports courts, golf simulators, home gyms, outdoor kitchens and expansive living spaces. Others simply want a well-designed floor plan that works for their family and a beautifully built, high quality home,” he added. “Ultimately, we don’t have one definition of a Costa home. Whether it’s a high amenities, luxury residence or a more strait forward custom family home, our goal is to build what is important to that client.” In designing every home “from scratch”, Costa works around the client’s lifestyle, needs, property and vision utilizing their New Life Process®, spending time upfront employing continuous communication throughout the entire build resulting in understanding the client’s wants and needs and making the experience transparent, collaborative and as enjoyable as possible.
Katie Brinkley, Sales Manager for Ryan and Heartland Homes, both owned by parent company NVR, Inc., one of the nation’s top luxury home builders, noted that the versatility of their floor plans are what attracts a mix of buyers. On the north’s magnetism, she concurred that the North Hills truly encapsulates what people are looking for in real estate. “The North Hills has an undisputed advantage in commuting to Downtown Pittsburgh to enjoy all of the things that Pittsburgh has to offer while still capturing the peace and slower pace that makes people seek out suburban areas,” she explained. “We have had tremendous growth in terms of sought-after restaurants and shopping areas as well as some of the most competitive schools in the area. The North Hills embraces all of that along with the feeling of being newer, with more room to grow. Proximity, amenities and space draws in any and all those in the market looking for a great investment and/or their dream home.” Brinkley offered that they have many communities in the north with another planned in coming months. “Seneca Trails and Glade Run are in the growing Zelienople area, offering something for everyone — estate style homes, first floor living as well as our signature townhomes with prices ranging from the mid-$300,000s to upper $700,000s. Sizes range from 2,700+ square feet to 4,500+ square feet with bedroom counts up to five bedrooms and four and one-half baths along with up to three car garages.” Only four remaining home sites remain in Pinewood; within Adams Township lies the Mars School District where sprawling homesites from the mid-$800,000s exist; and in Breckenridge, townhomes that offer luxury and the lock-and-leave lifestyle sit in an Allegheny County location but with Butler County taxes. All of these homes offer open floor concepts, granite or quartz options, gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances, engineered hardwood in the foyer and much more. “Our Glade Run and Amherst Village are our amenity-rich communities with a pool, clubhouse and pickleball courts,” Brinkley added. “Both of these communities are opening new sections with gorgeous, private home sites and wooded views.” Ryan Kight, who also serves as Sales Manager for Ryan and Heartland Homes, noted that as the North Pittsburgh market continues to grow, they remain committed to expanding their presence in some of the region’s most desirable locations. They also seek to make the home building process simple and enjoyable by giving customers the ability to personalize the finishes that matter most to their clients while avoiding the stress and complexity that often comes with building a new home. “What truly sets us apart from other builders is our dedicated, in-house design team who carefully curates finish packages specifically for each community,” Kight explained. “Our designers continually monitor the latest home design and real estate trends, regularly updating selections to reflect what today’s buyers want most.” By leveraging their purchasing power and thoughtfully designed packages, Heartland and Ryan can offer stylish, high-quality finishes at a price point that is often more competitive than other area builders, according to Kight. “For buyers seeking a more elevated level of personalization, our luxury Heartland Homes communities offer the opportunity to work one-on-one with a professional designer in our showroom. Here, customers can create a home that reflects their unique style while still benefiting from expert guidance throughout the process.”
With the vision of creating a home building experience with a difference, Infinity Homes has grown in reputation as a premier custom home builder known for its craftsmanship, personalized processes and quality. Those qualities can be evidenced in Infinity’s mix of buyers who want to customize and make their home their own according to Jodi Brennan, Manager, Infinity Homes. “We accommodate those ideals by allowing customers to create the space they want to live in through selections from a wide variety of choices.” Initiating that process of building starts with a number of floor plans that their customers can choose from and make their own. “We want our customers to love their home and we guide them to make those ideas come to life,” Brennan added. And those ideas have become a reality in Pittsburgh’s northern Infinity communities such as Clover Chase, The Reserve at Marshall and Rightmyer Estates, all single-family homes starting in the low $1 million to more than $2 million. A fourth build, called Quincy Heights, comprised of single-family homes and townhomes, will start selling this year. Clover Chase, located in Pine Township, features expansive, private wooded homesites just minutes from shopping, dining and the everyday convenience of Wexford. The Reserve at Marshall, a new community located just off Pleasant Hill Road in the highly sought-after North Allegheny School District, boasts spacious, tree-lined lots, sidewalks, walking trails and private cul-de-sacs. Infinity Custom Homes will be the exclusive builder in this serene setting with easy access to Cranberry, Wexford and within 25 minutes of Downtown Pittsburgh. Rightmyer Estates in Mars, Adams Township, offers one half to one-acre homesites with 30 luxury homes close to the Mars school campus and the many conveniences found nearby. Infinity’s newest project coming soon is Quincy Heights, a thoughtfully designed community located in the heart of Adams Township just minutes from shopping, dining and more, positioned for quick access to Interstate 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Homes here feature spacious open concept layouts, stylish architecture and modern finishes with low maintenance living. Lastly, Infinity Custom Homes proffers a low maintenance community in Cranberry Township known as Laurel Pointe along Franklin Road. “Here, our single-family homes feature first floor owner’s suites and creative designs all in close proximity to a network of walking trails connecting you to nearby shopping and dining along Route 228,” said Brennan. It’s convenience, quality and comfort, all from an award-winning custom builder.
Because their homeowners span a wide range of lifestyles, their diverse floor plans allow them to cater directly to what different buyers value most, according to Jacqueline Lantz, Vice President, Operations, Pittsburgh Division, Maronda Homes. “Living in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh offers the best of both worlds; vibrant energy and modern amenities coupled with a lower cost of living,” she added. “By combining personalized floor plans with built-in Smart Home Technology and an extensive New Home Warranty, we build homes tailored to how every individual wants to live.” She believes that main floor living, extra space with flexible layouts and modern conveniences, along with low maintenance, functional layouts are what different buyers’ value most. New Maronda Homes in Pittsburgh’s northern tier start at $299,000 and include Amherst Village located in Mars, Butler County, where property taxes remain low. Just minutes from Cranberry Township, Amherst Village enjoys premiere shopping and dining, and close proximity to the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. The Trails at Harmony Junction and Views of Harmony (opening this fall), located near historic Zelienople, offer single-family homes and townhomes in a charming, small town atmosphere combined with quick access for easy, tunnel-free commuting to Downtown Pittsburgh. The Oaks at Dutchtown in Butler extends accessible starting prices, featuring modern floor plans designed for those seeking efficient, single-level living. For a unique enclave of 22 stunning homesites, Pioneer Place, located in Gibsonia, Hampton Township, features main level living villas designed for low maintenance luxury. Here you’ll find included basements, open concept layouts and an HOA (Home Owner’s Association) that handles lawn care and snow removal, all paired with the top-rated Hampton Township School District. “We believe your dream home should be as unique as your life,” added Lantz. “When you build with us, you gain access to our design team to help curate details and finishes to fit your style. From breaking ground to receiving the keys to your new home, we make turning your vision into reality an exciting, seamless experience.”
There’s no mistaking that the northern communities embody a good combination of quality of life, access to employment, and a good value compared with some of the more expensive communities closer to Pittsburgh as Shaun Seydor, President, Pitell Homes, sees it. “You can live in an area that still has a suburban or even semi-rural feel, but you’re not isolated,” he said. “Communities such as Evans City, Saxonburg and the surrounding northern areas provide access to shopping, restaurants, healthcare, major roadways and employment centers while still offering larger lots, open space, and in some instances, a quieter lifestyle.” Those embracing that lifestyle have consisted of empty nesters who may not want to maintain a large property any more or buyers looking for a home that will allow them to age in place without giving up quality, style or amenities. “I think one of the biggest trends we are seeing are from people who aren’t necessarily moving because they want a smaller home. They’re moving because they want a home that fits the way they live today,” Seydor added. “That’s particularly evident with our patio homes. A buyer may be coming from a large, single-family house, but are looking for a home where they can eliminate lawn maintenance and snow removal, have everything they need on one level, and still have a beautiful home with plenty of space for family and entertaining.” To that end, Pitell Homes presents two projects in two diverse segments of the northern market — Liberty Pointe in the Saxonburg area and Meadow Ridge in the Evans City area. If you’re looking for a maintenance free, lock and leave quad patio home community, Liberty Pointe is for you. Here, Pitell Homes combines new construction with a very low-maintenance lifestyle in a country setting but still very close to the quaint amenities of Main Street in Saxonburg. The community is centered around Pitell’s award winning Hampton patio home, offering about 1,485 to 2,360 square feet with two to three-bedroom configurations and two to three baths. Buyers can choose a single level layout or add a second floor depending on their needs and wants. Prices begin in the upper $300,000s moving into the low to mid $400,000s depending on size, configuration and options. Lawn, landscaping, snow removal and exterior maintenance are provided by the HOA. The community also features sidewalks, a paved walking trail, and a clubhouse planned as part of the overall development. Meadow Ridge, Forward Township and part of the Seneca Valley School District serves as a single-family home community with homes starting in the $400,000s and higher. The larger suburban homes and ranch style homes are designed for buyers who want more traditional suburban living and larger homesites in a neighborhood atmosphere. Customization is a very important part of the Pitell home model. “We’re a semi-custom builder, so we’re not simply selling someone a house and telling them ‘This is what you get,’” explained Seydor. “We start with proven floor plans, but we give the buyer a significant menu of options and, when appropriate, we’re willing to explore additional customization. That can include flooring, cabinetry, countertops, bathroom finishes, fireplaces, outdoor living areas, room configurations and other architectural or interior details. Our customers can make the home feel like their home rather than a house that happened to have their name on the deed. Ultimately, our goal is pretty simple: Give customers the quality and value of a well-built home, while giving them enough flexibility to make it uniquely theirs.”
Creating a caring and cooperative community served as the underpinning for the Rachel Carson EcoVillage at Providence Heights, established on land gifted to a group of individuals and families by the Sisters of Divine Providence and adjacent to LaRoche University. The community includes people from many cultures and backgrounds with the community reflecting its partnership with the Sisters through its strong commitment to sustainability, the environment and social justice. Buildings and the site are designed to connect all to nature and others living there, promoting personal interactions and easy sociability. “Projects such as the Rachel Carson EcoVillage demonstrate that there is interest in sustainability and community-oriented design,” said Alex Giannetti. “Describing itself as a multigenerational community built around sustainable living principles, EcoVillage offers an alternative to traditional housing communities. From a real estate perspective, this type of project and the addition of major retail projects increase visibility and confidence in the northern market. They create jobs, expand amenities and make communities more diverse and desirable.” He continued that he has seen buyers’ perceptions of northern Pittsburgh change dramatically. ”Places that people once considered ‘too far north’ are now destinations in their own right. I’ve seen what we call ‘the north’ expand over the years and I see businesses and builders following that trend.” Summarizing her thoughts on the popularity of new home builds in the north, Darlene Hunter referenced the desire from buyers for either more space or a floor plan that is more accommodating to a buyer’s lifestyle, no matter what age group. “Truthfully, any delay hoping interest rates will go down is simply not there. Buyers are not waiting, life is calling!” NH