Don't pull the cord on this town -- Greenville was the home of Stefan Banic, who developed the first military parachute to ever be deployed.
A small borough in northwestern Pennsylvania, Greenville has seen quite a bit come and go in its nearly two centuries of existence
View Greenville City GuideDon't pull the cord on this town -- Greenville was the home of Stefan Banic, who developed the first military parachute to ever be deployed.
A small borough in northwestern Pennsylvania, Greenville has seen quite a bit come and go in its nearly two centuries of existence
Don't pull the cord on this town -- Greenville was the home of Stefan Banic, who developed the first military parachute to ever be deployed.
A small borough in northwestern Pennsylvania, Greenville has seen quite a bit come and go in its nearly two centuries of existence. It was a manufacturing center during the industrial revolution, but manufacturing has slowly dwindled. Greenville is home to just under 5,900 residents, many of whom live and work in the town and nearby area, creating a tight sense of community.
Reasonable Expectations
Greenville is an older town, with over half of the building units available qualifying as historic, dating back to before the second World War. This means you can't head into town expecting buildings with modern appliances and conveniences, or you'll be sorely disappointed. It also means that you'll want to be vigilant on your entrance inspection, and don't be afraid to ask your potential landlord about repairs. Don't expect to find any luxury apartments in Greenville, either -- much of the housing for rent is solid and serviceable, but nothing special.
Short Wait
Rental units are fairly plentiful in Greenville, so you won't need a long lead time to find a spot. The town is used to renters, with just under half of the housing units being renter-occupied. It shouldn't take you much longer than a week or two to find and secure a place. Check out places like Greenville House or Hempfield Apartments to start your search.
Be Prepared
Even with plenty of units, many of the landlords and management companies are still very tough when it comes to choosing who they rent to. You will need references, a solid credit history, pay stubs to prove your ability to pay the rent, and more. You'll also need to have two months' worth of rent ready, although that shouldn't be too hard to get together -- the average rental unit is lower in price than 90% of the neighborhoods in Pennsylvania.
Getting Around
You'll definitely need a car living in Greenville -- we hate to break it to you, but there's no reliable public transportation, and very little of the town is walkable. Do yourself a favor and get a four-wheel drive vehicle, since the nasty winter snows that blow down off of the Great Lakes can dump inches upon inches.
Greenville is really just a small borough, so there is no need for neighborhoods -- every part of town has generally the same characteristics. In this case, the town is characterized by single-family detached housing, with a smattering of small apartment buildings where you can find some one bedroom apartments. You won't find townhouses for rent in Greenville, as only 1.5% of the housing units are row homes and other attached housing. You will find retail and small restaurants through the downtown area, while the southwest part of the borough leans towards light industrial. Out to the east of downtown are some larger retailers and some national chain restaurants, as well as local faves.
For a small borough, Greenville puts out a good bit of effort to engage the community. The biggest yearly event is the Heritage Days celebrated over the July 4th holiday. With a classic car show, an arts and crafts festival, entertainment and more, it usually brings out the whole of the town.
Mercer County is home to a number of highly rated public golf courses, including the 4-star rated Pine Grove Golf Course and Tam O'Shanter of Pennsylvania. Greenville chips in with two quality courses of its own, Pine Hill Golf Course and The Greens of Greenville. With these courses, and plenty more just over the Ohio line, Greenville is a great spot for folks who want to be able to hit the links on a daily basis.
Hit up the local parks for some outdoor relaxation, particularly Riverside Park with its outdoor amphitheater that is home to Concerts in the Park during the summer. If you want to be a bit more active in your outdoor pursuits, outdoorsmen will be in love with the area. For boaters and fishermen, you've got Lake Wilhelm, Pymatuning Reservoir, and Shenango River Reservoir all within easy driving distance. Hunters have four different state game lands nearby, while hikers and bicyclists have miles of trails, both marked and unmarked, that run throughout the region.
Greenville's got culture too! The Greenville Symphony Orchestra has been playing for the town for over 80 years, and is open to talented performers of all ages. Two different theaters -- Greenville Area Community Theatre for adults and The Penn-Ohio Young Actors Playhouse for youth -- put on performances throughout the year. Greenville is even home to three museums that put focus on different elements of the area: the Waugh House Museum, the Railroad Park and Museum, and the Erie Extension Canal Museum.
