Interested in moving to Pittsburgh, but... (Philadelphia, York: for sale, townhouse, buy)

[Mrs. Burberry]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Edit: Oh, and I do understand the point about central air. We're fine with attic fans and window units, but I can see the appeal of central air, and it is indeed a challenge to retrofit it in a older house without ducts. In fact we've looked at it a couple times and always decided against doing the retrofit--part of that is because we are OK without it, but part is the expense and downsides of retrofitting.

Yeah, I love it. I take a headache prophylactic called topiramate, and that drug is extremely anticholinergic, and causes heat rash as well. The AC is wooonnderful in the summer. Combine that with avoiding peak sun and I'm all good.

My dad got a super-old colonial house when I was younger (like, much older than anything we are discussing in this thread) and had to have it gutted and install the whole-house AC. He's like me, can't sleep without AC. It was a very involved project, as I remember.

Originally Posted by clodius1

Somehow, the you and most people seem to construe not wanting an 80 year old house as meaning that I want a new construction. In fact, I wouldn't even consider anything built in the last 10 years because they are so shoddily. 30-40 years old is fine, if its in good condition.

I also said that I'm not interested in North Hills or far suburbs.

It's pretty difficult to come up with suggestions because your criteria are pretty exacting. Do you have any other feedback for our suggestions so far?

To re-cap, the city neighborhoods we suggested are:

-Shadyside
-Lawrenceville
-East Liberty
-North Side/North Shore
-South Side
-Summerset at Frick Park
-Downtown

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by clodius1

Somehow, the you and most people seem to construe not wanting an 80 year old house as meaning that I want a new construction. In fact, I wouldn't even consider anything built in the last 10 years because they are so shoddily. 30-40 years old is fine, if its in good condition.

I also said that I'm not interested in North Hills or far suburbs.

Have you called a real estate agent yet? Even in Squirrel Hill there are homes that aren't all 80+ years old.... it's the trolling through page after page after page of old homes that gets to you. I'm a mid century ranch lover -- so I get what you're talking about. And there doesn't seem to be a way to search for what you want easily -- so call a real estate agent.

[clodius1]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

I'm not following, you want to move back but HATE DAMN near everything???!?!??!?

It's amazing how you somehow manage to convert not liking old houses or suburbs into "HATE DAMN near everything". I suggest you seek help.

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Where are you living at now, that you're keeping so secret? Pittsburgh is an Old City.....its not like the Sunbelt NEW NEW NEW everywhere....Alot of people find this charming...

You don't get around much, do you. There are are plenty of nice old northern cities. I'd move to Boston tomorrow if it weren't so expensive

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Look at living Downtown if you want brand spanking "New" it has a strong push to become more residental....why not jump on the wave now before it gets to big...

Geez, can't you read. Where did I ever say that I wanted to either 1) live down town or 2) brand spanking new." It's truly amazing that you are getting upset about stuff that you made up yourself. Not at what I said.

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Pittsburgh does have neighborhoods with all the Amenties such as you discribe with the "BIG MORE EXPENSIVE CITY" minus the subway part....but that can be overrated.

No Pittsburgh is not NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami, or SF...and one shouldn't expect it to be...but as far as amenties Pittsburgh keeps up damn well compared with most cities.

Huh??? Where did I say anything about amenities. I just don't want to have to drive 3 miles to got to the supermarket. You are so bizarre that you are making things up just to have a reason to get angry.

And a subway cannot be overrated. It makes a massive difference in the ease of getting around. Just massive. I don't have to commute, but if I did, I wouldn't even consider Pgh for a second.

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

If the last time you've been to the burgh No it doeswas "Many Many" years ago...No Doubt that your opinions are probably insanely outdated by now, this city has changed so much over the years it almost worth a trip just to update your perspective.

You must not get around much. My neighborhood has changed more in the last 8 years than Pgh has changed in the last 50.

BTW. I visit Pgh every year to see relatives. I know what is, and more often, isn't happening.

[Mrs. Burberry]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Edit: Oh, and I do understand the point about central air. We're fine with attic fans and window units, but I can see the appeal of central air, and it is indeed a challenge to retrofit it in a older house without ducts. In fact we've looked at it a couple times and always decided against doing the retrofit--part of that is because we are OK without it, but part is the expense and downsides of retrofitting.

Yeah, AC is wonderful for me. I take a headache prophylactic called topiramate, and that drug is extremely anticholinergic, and causes heat rashes and reactions as well. Heat also sets off the headaches, so AC is a win-win for me.

My dad got a super-old colonial house when I was 10 (like, much older than anything we are discussing in this thread) and had to have certain walls gutted to install the whole-house AC. It was a very involved project, as I remember. The home was so old that it was definitely not equipped for AC.

Originally Posted by clodius1

Somehow, the you and most people seem to construe not wanting an 80 year old house as meaning that I want a new construction. In fact, I wouldn't even consider anything built in the last 10 years because they are so shoddily. 30-40 years old is fine, if its in good condition.

I also said that I'm not interested in North Hills or far suburbs.

It's pretty difficult to come up with suggestions because your criteria are pretty exacting. Do you have any other feedback for our suggestions so far?

To re-cap, the city neighborhoods we suggested are:

-Shadyside
-Lawrenceville
-East Liberty
-North Side/North Shore
-South Side
-Summerset at Frick Park
-Downtown

Edited to add, and if you want to be on a subway line, we have a T, so you could try:

-Dormont
-Bethel Park
(Any others? Not too familiar with the suburbs myself.)

[clodius1]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Have you called a real estate agent yet? Even in Squirrel Hill there are homes that aren't all 80+ years old.... it's the trolling through page after page after page of old homes that gets to you. I'm a mid century ranch lover -- so I get what you're talking about. And there doesn't seem to be a way to search for what you want easily -- so call a real estate agent.

I have. I've done 2 house hunting trips already.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by clodius1

I have. I've done 2 house hunting trips already.

Have you tried using Zillow? If you can't find what you're looking for with a real estate agent and through online searches then it doesn't exist here.

[grimacista]

Isn't there new construction on some hilltop in Lincoln Place overlooking the Mon? Could make for a nice little walk down to fabulous West Homestead.

[lifepgh2op]

I didn't read all 5 pages so I'm sorry if someone suggested this before. You mentioned liking Squirrel Hill but not the old houses. Here are new homes in/near Squirrel Hill: Summerset at Frick Park

I don't think they're inexpensive, though. Really there aren't any new, cheap homes in the Pittsburgh metro (suburbs included). Those 2 words (new & cheap) don't seem to go together around here. It seems like the newer it is, the more expensive it is.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by clodius1

It's amazing how you somehow manage to convert not liking old houses or suburbs into "HATE DAMN near everything". I suggest you seek help.

NO - I equate this with HATING DAMN NEAR EVERTHING!

Originally Posted by clodius1

Can't find a suitable neighborhood

Originally Posted by clodius1

I don't expect to find this level of living in Pgh, but I can't find anything even resembling a similar neighborhood in Pgh

Originally Posted by clodius1

I was initially interested in Squirrel Hill, where we lived for year in the 90's, but the housing stock there is just too old. In fact, that's a big problem for most of the city. It's hard to find a house that isn't at least 80 years old without going to the medium to far suburbs. I'm not interested in a blue collar ethnic areas, which make up most of the city. Shadyside is too young and I'm way past that scene. There really seems no options in the city.

Originally Posted by clodius1

I next looked at the near suburbs with some semblance of a real center. I see nothing to the east or west, except perhaps for Sewickley, which has a real town business area, but it only has only old houses, which are a bit expensive. I looked around North Hills, but it just didn't appeal.

Originally Posted by clodius1

I next looked at the near, older and settled southern suburbs. Mr. Lebanon might have been my first pick in all of the area because it seems a reasonable tradeoff between city and burbs. But it is out of the question because of the property taxes, the huge increases projected over the next few years, and even more troubling, the arrogant attitude of government toward complaints about the high property taxes. Upper St. Clair is ok, at least it looks like a professional area with a top school system (although we have no children, selling a house will be easier) and seems to have sense of community pride. But it is a little too suburban

Now Unless I missed something - MY STATEMENT OF YOU HATING EVERYTHING WAS DEAD ON!

Last thing I need is help on is how to read!

Originally Posted by clodius1

You don't get around much, do you. There are are plenty of nice old northern cities. I'd move to Boston tomorrow if it weren't so expensive

But they're old meaning the majority of the Housing stock is old...and a "New" detached home is damn near impossible to find these days even in Boston....

Pittsburgh has alot of the same housing as a Boston - except for Brownstone and those too are "OLD" as you described in you OP that you DIDNOT WANT...

I really dont think you know what you want, you come on here saying that you want to move to Pittsburgh but then Bash every neighborhood for the fact you'd have impossible demands to meet in almost every city not just Pittsburgh.

I'm very well travelled THANKS FOR ASKING....Beside Pittsburgh being my hometown...I've lived in NYC, Philly and DC and my job has taken me to various cities:

LA
London
Chicago
Seattle
Boston
Atlanta
Miami
SF

Originally Posted by clodius1

Geez, can't you read. Where did I ever say that I wanted to either 1) live down town or 2) brand spanking new." It's truly amazing that you are getting upset about stuff that you made up yourself. Not at what I said.

I read very well thanks....

1). I suggested Downtown because its the closest to meeting you "Impossible Demands" as other have suggested as well, guess the cant read either.....

2). You didnt say this????

Originally Posted by clodius1

but the housing stock there is just too old. In fact, that's a big problem for most of the city. It's hard to find a house that isn't at least 80 years old without going to the medium to far suburbs

What's the opposite of "OLD"....Ding Ding Ding Ding - times up "NEW" and you've made it pretty clear that you dont want "OLD"...so tell me again what it was I "Made UP"????

Thanks for Playing but you LOSE!

Originally Posted by clodius1

Huh??? Where did I say anything about amenities. I just don't want to have to drive 3 miles to got to the supermarket. You are so bizarre that you are making things up just to have a reason to get angry.

Originally Posted by clodius1

I currently live in a much bigger more expensive city, in one of the city residential areas with shopping, major streets and the subway within a 10 minute walk.

In case you dont quite get it - These are Amenities. As someone living in a mysterious "Big Expensive City" this should be elementary to you.

Dictionary.com

Amenities =

any feature that provides comfort, convenience, or pleasure

Dictionary.com - I suggest you bookmark it.

Originally Posted by clodius1

And a subway cannot be overrated. It makes a massive difference in the ease of getting around. Just massive. I don't have to commute, but if I did, I wouldn't even consider Pgh for a second.

Please the hell it can't - Pittsburgh Busways do just as good a job as Subway....Subways are nice but are extremely costly to build nowadays..and in our current times, more cities are looking to BRT more so than building subways.

You claim that you come to Pittsburgh every year, so I'm going to guess you know what the Busways are.

Like I said Subways are nice, but they're no essential to a cities health and economy.

Originally Posted by clodius1

You must not get around much. My neighborhood has changed more in the last 8 years than Pgh has changed in the last 50.

BTW. I visit Pgh every year to see relatives. I know what is, and more often, isn't happening.

Thanks for the confirmation...I always thought in the beginning this was just a TROLLING! Expedition....Now we have confirmation and I will waste no more of my time on you...

BTW - YOU STILL WONT TELL US WHAT THE "BIG EXPENSIVE" City it is that you claim to live in that provides everything Pittsburgh doesn't....I STILL WAITING ON THAT ONE!

[BrianTH]

If you are just looking for post-WWII developments, have you looked at Stanton Heights? That neighborhood was mostly a golf course until the mid 1950s.