Moving to Pittsburgh. Job in Monroeville. Where to live? (Penn Hills: apartment complexes, condo)

[lamsky]

Hi folks. I think this is a good place to be to ask for some advice.

My husband and I (young professional couple, no kids, but looking to start a family in the next couple years) will be moving to the Pittsburgh area in April. My husband has a job opportunity in Monroeville.

We're looking for a 2-bedroom apartment/condo/townhouse somewhere within driving distance (that won't be too much of a headache). We don't need to be close to Monroeville, a commute is OK. We prefer suburbs versus being in the city. Biggest things are safety, affordability (rent of $1000 or less), and within a realistic (no more than 30ish minutes, probably) drive to Monroeville.

Any suggestions? Even specific housing complex suggestions would be helpful. We're not really all that interested in city nightlife or anything, so being close to all that doesn't matter to us. We actually prefer suburbs and quieter areas.

I've seen mixed views on Monroeville and Penn Hills, so I'm reaching out for other suggestions.

Thanks in advance! It's so nice to have a place like this to go for advice, especially when you're like us and doing a lot of this housing hunt from afar.

[feanix]

I was born and raised in Penn Hills and wouldn't necessarily avoid the area, I just think you can find far better areas for the money. I lived in approximately 4 different apartment complexes in the Penn Hills area and wouldn't recommend any of them for various reasons (from drug activity to thin walls). Monroeville can be hit or miss with apartments as well I've heard from various friends who have lived in the area. My mother lived in Monroe Village in Monroeville and loved it there, but I don't really know about the other apartments (outside of the apartments next to Monroe which are a "NO!").

If I was looking around in the Eastern suburbs I would recommend (in no particular order): Plum Boro, Monroeville, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Oakmont, and Murrysville.

My favorite in the list would be Oakmont and my son would pick Shadyside. I love Oakmont's aesthetic appeal and my son loved the shops and walk-ability of Shadyside.

[neurodistortion]

I'd suggest looking in the western portion of Westmoreland County, specifically Irwin, North Huntingdon, New Stanton, Hempfield, Greensburg, etc. All of those areas are 30 minutes or less from Monroeville via Route 30 and the PA Turnpike. You should find plenty of nice 2-3 bed apartments or townhomes in the $500-$800 range, some which are pretty big and spacious and comes with a garage and even allows pets. Nice thing about it too is low taxes on just about everything, especially if you look into buying a house in the future. If you choose to have kids, all the school districts are pretty decent too, although Hempfield is pretty large. Some areas of North Huntingdon and Hempfield are even a bit country with upscale housing developments surrounding farmland but within minutes of major shopping centers as well as Westmoreland Mall, nationally-known restaurants, large parks and other amenities if that's what you prefer. Monroeville itself has plentiful shopping and dining opportunities including the Monroeville Mall.

[Gnutella]

Give Edgewood a try. It's adjacent to the city of Pittsburgh, and it's convenient to I-376. There's plenty of shopping in the area, with the local and independent stores in the Regent Square business district, and the chains in Edgewood Town Center. (Also not too far away is The Waterfront, which is basically an outdoor mall.) And since you'd be living closer into the city than Monroeville, you'd have a reverse commute, so traffic wouldn't be as much of a headache.

[xtant64]

I live in Plum and can be in at Monroeville Mall in less than 15 minutes. I'm using that as a landmark since Monroeville is not as easily defined as a "town". If I drive not even half a mile in the opposite direction, I cross into Westmoreland County and a whole lot of nothing. It is pretty rural, but there is enough around that you don't feel THAT isolated. If you have any specific questions, let me know.
Personally I would love to have a job in Monroeville, since my commute to downtown is 45+ minutes....

[neurodistortion]

Another thing to consider, wherever you decide to live, you won't really have to worry much about traffic since most roads leading into and out of Monroeville with the exception of Route 22 is relatively calm. Heading into Pittsburgh via the Parkway East is a different story, however.

[Johnny C]

North Huntingdon Township, Plum Boro, Murrysville, or even right in Monroeville proper would all be good choices.

[lamsky]

Thank you ALL for your thoughtful responses. Lots for us to consider and look at. Really appreciate it.

[MathmanMathman]

It's been awhile but when I was living there we lived in Wilkins Township. I thought it nice and close to Monroeville.

[kjtocool]

When you get settled and look to buy a house, Murrysville is where I'd recommend. I'm not sure of the temporary housing situation in that area.