If you read any national newspaper you undoubtedly know the housing market is cooling off. If you live in the large Pittsburgh suburb of Cranberry.... If you read any national newspaper you undoubtedly know the housing market is cooling off. If you live in the large Pittsburgh suburb of Cranberry, your story is no different. However Western Pennsylvania in general and Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) in particular are faring much better.

According to a recent Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article, there has been a surge of about 40 percent in housing permits issued in Allegheny County, and a 27 percent decline in permits in Butler County, where Cranberry has seen its total slip to about 31 single-family units, from about 76 single-family units a year ago.

It wouldn't suprise me if a micro-look at other housing markets revealed similar trends. Gas prices are up, households are smaller and more and more of us are tired of the traffic and commuting. A video on ABCNews.com web site reveals the monster houses are falling hardest.

If you're afraid of the big bad bubble, look for reasonably sized urban homes. Read more at the City Home News blog