I am one of those people that grew up living in the same house my whole life. I lived on the same street in the same house in the same room. I believe that anyone can find reasons to praise or bash their hometown, but I want to praise mine. I have lived in North Versailles, PA, my entire life, and it is not a bad place. Despite any crappy publicity, I am proud to have grown up here.
North Versailles is not a well-known area. Anyone who asks where I am from that is not from anywhere generally close I usually tell them Pittsburgh, near Mckeesport or near Monroeville. North Versailles Township appears to be kind of forgotten in the middle of everything.
As looked down upon as North Versailles is I have some reasons why it has not been a bad place to grow up.
It is in close proximity to many popular areas.
North Versailles is considered Southeast Pittsburgh area. From my house (without traffic) I can be in downtown Pittsburgh in roughly 15-20 minutes and Oakland in less than that. Also, approximately 15 minutes away is Monroeville or West Mifflin (with a mall, many shopping centers and several places to eat). Mckeesport is also right next door, and there are loads of history there.
There is a lot right here in the township.
Just because tons of other hot spots are nearby does not mean nothing is in North Versailles. North Versailles has three grocery stores (Save A Lot, Aldi's, and Giant Eagle). There is a movie theater that is not very expensive. Recently a trampoline park was opened up in the same building as the movie theater. There are a few dance companies, a library, a police station, two bowling alleys and a couple fire stations. North Versailles has its own Walmart, Big Lots, Dunham's, Kmart, Aaron's, Dollar Tree, RiteAid, Home Depot and Planet Fitness. Also, North Versailles is home to a Denny's, King's, Popeye's McDonald's, two Burger King's, Wendy's, Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins, Dairy Queen, several pizza joints, GetGo, Speedway and Eat N Park. In addition to the big name stores or restaurants, there are multiple non-chained locations.
It is a pretty diverse area.
Not everyone in North Versailles comes from the same background, is the same race or ethnicity, has the same morals, has been raised the same way, etc. I believe the diversity makes the place what it is and what it has become. Without diversity less can be learned. My college friends that come from less diverse areas seem to have not experienced as much throughout their everyday lives.
The local public school is small.
Coming from a generally small school and then going to a smaller sized college has kept me in the same boat with schooling. Personally, I feel it is favorable to attend a small school because it keeps people close. At my high school graduation, I did not have to constantly ask who people were as they were announced to get their diplomas. I was almost always able to join any club, sport, or activity that I desired and got to participate in it. If someone asks me about someone from my area seven times out of ten I will at least recognize the name.
People know each other.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, I have lived in the same house my entire life. With this being a smaller area, a lot of people have lived in the same houses for many, many years. A large number of kids that I went to school with had parents that also went to my high school. There are innumerable "what a small world" moments and unexpected connections.
As I began writing this, I noticed that there are countless ways I could talk up North Versailles, Pennsylvania, but my experiences here will never be forgotten. No matter how far away I may end up or whatever I end up doing, North Versailles will hold a part of me.
