Moving to Pittsburgh from out of state is one of the best decisions a family can make. Making it the right decision requires someone who knows this market from the inside. That is Marie Pace.
Every relocation buyer Marie Pace has worked with over 23 years says some version of the same thing once they settle in: they had no idea how good it would be. Pittsburgh consistently defies the expectations of buyers arriving from coastal markets. The cost of living runs approximately 2% below the national average. The luxury home market offers properties at fractions of comparable coastal prices. The schools in the North Hills corridor rank among the best in Pennsylvania. And the quality of life -- from world-class medical care through UPMC and Allegheny Health Network to Carnegie Mellon, the Carnegie Museums, and a sports culture unlike anywhere else -- exceeds what the city's reputation suggests.
Pittsburgh's economy has long since moved past its steel industry identity. Today it is anchored by healthcare, technology, and education -- with over 1,600 tech employers including Google, Apple, Uber, and Intel, and UPMC as the region's largest employer with 116,000 positions. For families relocating for work, Pittsburgh is a city of genuine opportunity with a cost structure that amplifies every dollar of income.
Marie Pace holds the RRS (Relocation Resource Specialist) designation and has guided hundreds of families through the process of finding the right community in the North Hills. She understands that relocating buyers do not just need a house -- they need the right house in the right school district with the right commute, often on a compressed timeline and from a distance.
Families relocating to Pittsburgh overwhelmingly choose the North Hills. Here is why.
North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Hampton Township, and Mars Area school districts all rank among the best in Pennsylvania. For families with children, the North Hills is the undisputed first choice.
Unlike the South Hills, the North Hills has no tunnel on the commute to downtown. I-79 and I-279 deliver predictable 25-35 minute commutes -- one of the most consistent in the Pittsburgh metro.
UPMC and Allegheny Health Network both have major facilities within the North Hills corridor. For healthcare professionals relocating for work, this is often the deciding factor.
Buyers relocating from Boston, New York, DC, or California consistently find that their budget goes dramatically further here. Estate homes, private communities, and custom builds at prices that feel unreal.
The North Hills' most desirable homes -- especially in Treesdale, Wexford, and Gibsonia -- often sell before they ever reach the public portals. Marie's network gives relocation buyers access to this inventory.
The North Hills offers the kind of community that relocation buyers from fragmented suburban markets find refreshing: established neighborhoods, organized recreation, and a genuine sense of place.
Moving from out of state is a different transaction. Marie has done it hundreds of times.
Marie starts every relocation engagement with a detailed conversation about your priorities: schools, commute, home type, timeline, and budget. She does not guess -- she asks.
Based on your priorities, Marie recommends specific communities and school districts -- and explains the trade-offs between them. Many relocation buyers do not know the difference between a North Allegheny and a Pine-Richland address in Wexford. Marie does.
Through 23 years of North Hills relationships, Marie regularly surfaces listings before they hit the MLS -- critical for relocation buyers who need to act quickly and cannot afford to miss the right home.
Marie accommodates relocation buyers who cannot always be present in person. She works with virtual tours, video walkthroughs, and advocates for her clients in situations where they need to make decisions remotely.
Marie's network of contractors, inspectors, and service providers helps relocation buyers hit the ground running after closing -- from home setup to school enrollment resources.
Marie Pace holds the RRS (Relocation Resource Specialist) designation and has guided hundreds of families relocating to the Pittsburgh North Hills from across the country. She understands the unique pressures of out-of-state buyers: compressed timelines, remote decision-making, unfamiliar school boundaries, and the need for an agent who is a genuine local expert -- not just a licensed agent with a zip code search.
Ranked in the Top 1.5% of all Realtors Nationwide and affiliated with Howard Hanna -- the region's largest real estate company -- Marie brings the credentials and the network to make your relocation to Pittsburgh the best move you have ever made.
What are the best neighborhoods to relocate to in Pittsburgh?
For families relocating to Pittsburgh, the North Hills corridor -- including Wexford, Gibsonia, Mars, and Treesdale -- consistently ranks among the top destinations. These communities offer top-ranked school districts, 25-35 minute commutes to downtown, large lots, and luxury housing at prices far below comparable coastal suburban markets.
Why are people relocating to Pittsburgh?
People relocate to Pittsburgh for its exceptional quality of life, cost of living approximately 2% below the national average, world-class medical facilities through UPMC and Allegheny Health Network, a diversified economy with nine Fortune 500 companies and over 1,600 tech employers including Google, Apple, and Uber, and top-ranked public schools in the suburban corridors.
What should I know about Pittsburgh school districts before relocating?
School district boundaries in Pittsburgh's suburbs are complex and directly affect home values. The North Hills alone is served by North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Hampton Township, and Mars Area school districts -- and a single ZIP code can contain multiple districts. Working with a local expert like Marie Pace, who holds the RRS designation, is essential for navigating district boundaries before purchasing.
How far is the North Hills from downtown Pittsburgh?
Wexford, Gibsonia, Mars, and Treesdale are approximately 25-35 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh via I-79 and I-279. Unlike the South Hills, the North Hills has no tunnel bottleneck, making commutes more predictable and consistent regardless of time of day.
What is it like to relocate to Pittsburgh from another state?
Relocating to Pittsburgh from out of state typically involves navigating an unfamiliar market with complex neighborhood boundaries, multiple school districts, and limited inventory in the most desirable communities. Working with a relocation specialist like Marie Pace -- who holds the RRS designation, lives in the North Hills, and has guided hundreds of out-of-state buyers -- dramatically reduces risk and provides access to off-market listings before they reach public portals.
Whether you are relocating for work, family, or a fresh start, Marie Pace will make sure you land in the right community, the right school district, and the right home -- on your timeline.