Monroeville, PA

The village of Monroeville became part of Patton Township in 1849, and Monroeville relied heavily on farming into the 1940s. Construction of U.S. Route 22 set the stage for commercial growth, and the completion of additional highways in the following years only increased residential and business development. Monroeville became a municipality in 1974.

Visit the two historical houses in Monroeville to learn more about the area's history, with free, regular tours each Sunday during the spring. The Monroeville Convention Center hosts many events throughout the year, including conferences, performances and festivals. The Pittsburgh Folk Festival celebrates multicultural music, dance, food and crafts. The annual Celebrate Monroeville expo showcases local businesses as it entertains with music and activities, pulling in thousands of attendees.

When you go out to eat, you'll have plenty of options thanks to the concentration and variety of restaurants on U.S. Route 22. The neighborhood provides a range of international and classic American options for any occasion.

Serving Chinese food with a taste that's a step up from similar restaurants, the Taipei-Tokyo Chinese and Japanese restaurant is ideal for a casual date night or simply a quick trip for takeout. The place tends to get packed for both lunch and dinner, as many consider this the best neighborhood spot for Asian cuisine. Chow down on General Tso's chicken and broccoli in garlic sauce, or try the sushi for two, served in a uniquely-crafted sushi boat.

Make a reservation during the weekend at Gia Visto, cooking up modern Italian fare from a small, refined location. Locals love the homemade rigatoni, ricotta gnocchi and penne visto chicken, with classically huge portions.

Head to The Wooden Nickel for a family meal enhanced by the warm ambiance and beautiful fireplace. The attentive servers accommodate each table, and prices are reasonable given the fancy environment. Order a classic appetizer such as calamari, and try the specialty entrées such as the scallops with pumpkin ravioli or the vanilla bean shrimp. The bar area sees plenty of activity by night, serving a different set of menu items.

f drinking establishments. Carl's Tavern serves up surprisingly good food, accompanied by a big selection of beers on tap, TVs for sports, an open garage-style door during warmer weather and an outdoor patio. Another favored hangout spot, Dad's Pub and Grub features over 100 craft beers and hard-to-find seasonal brews. Ride into downtown Pittsburgh for further nighttime adventures.

By car, U.S. Route 22, also known as William Penn Highway, runs through Monroeville, containing a majority of the local businesses and leading west into downtown Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania Turnpike passes through the neighborhood, as do the Penn Lincoln Parkway and Pennsylvania Route 286. You'll find plenty of free public parking along the residential and commercial area streets. Since Monroeville has no bike lanes and tends to be highly car-dependent, biking and walking are generally limited.

For taxi services, use the Yellow Cab Company or contact local drivers via the Uber app on your phone. The Port Authority of Allegheny County handles Monroeville's public transportation, facilitating the commute into downtown Pittsburgh with its buses. Monroeville includes several bus stops and free park-and-ride lots within the neighborhood.

Residents enjoy a substantial number of parks spread across Monroeville, together totaling over 650 acres of parkland. Located on Young Drive, Pioneer Park features a large and free parking lot, a spacious pavilion, a baseball field, a basketball court and tennis courts. Your children can play on the playground's slides and swings, or you can wander down the walking trails.

You'll find similarly designed parks throughout Monroeville, such as Overlook Park, Monroeville Park East and Monroeville Park West, each with sports fields, pavilion, playgrounds and trails. Go for a swim on a hot summer day at the huge Bel-Aire community public pool, with picnic areas nearby. Next to the sports fields of Heritage Park, the Monroeville Dog Park gives your pet the chance to exercise and socialize inside a safe, fenced-in space.

Many annual events take place in the neighborhood parks, particularly at the Tall Trees Amphitheater within Monroeville Park West. The park sees many of outdoor concerts, such as the annual Monroeville Jazz Festival, celebrating this musical style with free live performances from popular performers.

Overall, Monroeville residents benefit from a reasonable cost of living, one only slightly more expensive than that of the city of Pittsburgh. Secure a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood for a rental price of only $752 a month.

Drivers through the region expect gas prices at about 9 percent higher than the national average. If you ride the Port Authority of Allegheny County buses into Pittsburgh, fares are determined through a zone system; Monroeville residents pay $3.75 to get to downtown Pittsburgh. Spend your evening at the local pubs, forking out around $5 for each beer.

A drive down U.S. Route 22 in Monroeville takes you to a majority of the local businesses. The two-level, enclosed Monroeville Mall stands as a peak destination on this road, with shoppers from around the region coming for the JCPenney, Macy's, H&M and dozens of additional stores and boutiques. Smaller shopping centers on or near U.S. Route 22, including the Miracle Mile Shopping Center, contain plenty of local independent stores.

When you need that perfect bouquet for a special event, Johnston the Florist has been the local answer since its opening in 1898. Still family-owned and operated after all these years, it owns several acres of greenhouses from which it grows its fine flowers.

The huge selection of current and back issues at the local comic book store, Phantom of the Attic makes it an ideal place to find what you want to read. The shop also sells graphic novels, books, posters, movies, action figures and more.

Browse Elmer's Aquarium & Pet Center, featuring a showroom of 250 aquariums. This small business has made Monroeville its home for over four decades, with fish enthusiasts from across the region coming for the staff's expertise as well as the area's biggest selection of healthy tropical and marine fish.

Shop for your groceries at Giant Eagle, McGinnis Sisters Special Food or the Patel Brothers Indian Marketplace. Open rain or shine every Saturday, the Monroeville Lions Farmers Market sells seasonal produce and farm goods from local farmers and vendors.