Dancing Gnome and Old Thunder are far and away my favorites right now. Not sure the lunch situation, but worth the trip over the 62nd St bridge for sure.

I like how Aspinwall and Blawnox have their own little downtowns with small businesses. Old Thunder is a great brewery. You’re in the burbs but the eating options aren’t just Applebees. Proximity to Lawrenceville is great too; you’re 10 minutes from lots of great options if the traffic is right. We don’t have kids, but if we did it’d be attractive for the Fox Chapel school district also. There’s a great waterfront park in Aspinwall, and depending on your starting point you’d also be a quick drive to Harwood Acres. We still live in town, but if we left these are the reasons we’d look in that area. Also, I don’t think I’ve been in a mall since 2006, so not being near one doesn’t bother me at all.

I feel like Monroeville is the worst of both worlds. It’s far from anything and kind of a dump. If you’re going that far out there are much better options, or closer nicer ones. Can’t imagine living out there. Have you looked just north - Aspinwall/Blawnox? Outside of town but with some character. Just a bridge away from Highland Park/Lawrenceville. If we left the city that’s where we’d look for sure.