Monroeville, the fading east suburb.. (Pittsburgh, Penn Hills: environment, relocate, real estate)

[Burghie]

Hello all,

I've been living in Monroeville for almost 7 years and we seeing the city gradually fading in terms of business and population. Big corporations seem to relocate to another place, and there will be big void to fill. The real estate values might be holding, but I do not foreseen anymore appreciation in the near future. Any thoughts on this??

[zip95]

For me personally, this is a huge issue.

While I love the ethnic diversity and convient commercialism of the eastern suburbs (something hard to find in Pittsburghs other suburban regions), I don't know if I can stay in the area. It's only a matter of time until the housing market starts to dip. Westinghouse may be the straw that breaks the camels back.

Not the mention the ever declining schools. Woodland Hills is going from bad to worse, Penn Hills improved from horrible to bad, Monroeville is only going to get worse. Plum may maintain, but who wants to live that far out?

What other suburban Pittsburgh areas offer diversity, commercialism, and a stable housing market???????

I don't want to move to a new city, but I may have no choice.

[Burghie]

I agree, as for convenience, Monroeville is probably one of the better suburbs out of all. Robinson Twp would be the next suburb that comes to my mind. It is relatively comparable to Monroeville, only it's thriving, commercially and economically. The housing market there is probably better then what we have in Monroeville.

[Geeo]

This happens in most cities: the older, inner ring suburbs lose business and population as people move further and further out. Eventually, Murrysville, Cranberry, Robinson and Peters will fall to the same fate, I guess. Now it seems that the resurgence is starting in Pittsburgh's East End, with jobs in the medical/science/technology field moving in, bringing more people and new businesses. It's like a wave that goes through a metro area and starts again in the core. I never thought that East Liberty would be the hot spot it's developing into.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by Geeo

Now it seems that the resurgence is starting in Pittsburgh's East End, with jobs in the medical/science/technology field moving in, bringing more people and new businesses. It's like a wave that goes through a metro area and starts again in the core. I never thought that East Liberty would be the hot spot it's developing into.

Great Point! I've also been thinking about moving back to the city.....it could be a real possiblity for Eastern Suburbanites.

It does however seem backwards.....become successful and move FROM the suburbs TO the city.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by zip95

It does however seem backwards.....become successful and move FROM the suburbs TO the city.

It may seem unusual in Pittsburgh but that has been happening in other cities for years now; primarily empty-nesters who don't have to worry about school quality are moving back into cities because they now have both the time and the money to enjoy all the entertainment/dining/nightlife options the city has to offer. It appears this may finally be happening in Pittsburgh too.

[pghlibrarian]

Originally Posted by Drover

It may seem unusual in Pittsburgh but that has been happening in other cities for years now; primarily empty-nesters who don't have to worry about school quality are moving back into cities because they now have both the time and the money to enjoy all the entertainment/dining/nightlife options the city has to offer. It appears this may finally be happening in Pittsburgh too.

I think you are finding a significant number of "new families with kids" who grew up in the suburbs and are looking for a more urban environment in which to settle down and raise kids as well. I know quite a few families around my age (mid 20s to mid 30s) who fit into this category.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by pghlibrarian

I think you are finding a significant number of "new families with kids" who grew up in the suburbs and are looking for a more urban environment in which to settle down and raise kids as well. I know quite a few families around my age (mid 20s to mid 30s) who fit into this category.

Hmm, you don't see as much of that around here. Questionable as Pittsburgh schools are, they are veritable scholar factories compared to Chicago schools. Plus this is a hell of an expensive city to live in for young families just starting out. $300K is the opening price for a starter house in a decently safe neighborhood. If "decently safe" is not sufficient, then the asking price is closer to $400K, or you settle for a condo, which isn't always a "family-friendly" option. Add to that the burden of having to put your kid in private schools and it's not quite as managable as in Pittsburgh.

I'm gonna have to give some more thought to returning to PItsburgh after graduation...