rough spots/places to avoid (Pittsburgh, Lebanon: new house, school district, shop)

[Burgherette]

Specific street question: How is Center Street. I have been out of the area for a while, and am ready to come home. During my house search, I kinda swore off all of Wilkinsburgh, but there are some nice ones there. I know about the Hosanna House being over there. Is there a lot of loitering and such around it? I mean, I can hold my own, but I want to be able to semi-relax. I'm tired of watching TV with a gun in hand.

[mr.davon24]

Originally Posted by Burgherette

Specific street question: How is Center Street. I have been out of the area for a while, and am ready to come home. During my house search, I kinda swore off all of Wilkinsburgh, but there are some nice ones there. I know about the Hosanna House being over there. Is there a lot of loitering and such around it? I mean, I can hold my own, but I want to be able to semi-relax. I'm tired of watching TV with a gun in hand.

Around this area is as expected there are loiters around the area all the time. Don't forget a little boy was just killed a few months back a couple blocks from there. As far as I know around the "Hoe house" as area pittsburgers call it is sort of a hot spot.

[By~Tor]

I live in Mount Oliver, just up the hill from the Southside Slopes, and even though the Northern part of it is pretty sketchy with hoookers and crime, especially right along Brownsville Road, the part I live in a little farther south, while still "diverse" and with its share of "subprime" characters, seems to have very little overall "crime" going on.

I don't hear gunshots or see news of any localized break-ins, and my car has been safe parked right on the street.

Sure, I'm positive its only a matter of time until I hear about something close by, but overall, it's alot safer than places I've lived in Chicago, St. Louis, New York or even Dallas, and I feel safer here than I did in any of those cities....

So, even what with the news reports on the TV, I wouldn't buy into a theory that Pittsburgh is a crime-ridden wasteland. . . . in fact, I'd say almost the opposite, which is good for a city this size!!!

[Burgherette]

Thanks for the insight. Mr. Davon, I think I'll take your suggestion and run for the hills. I never really knew of any nice areas in Wilkinsburgh, which is why I have been planning to avoid it. I have a few prospects in McKeesport I will probably pursue. What sux is Braddock has nice places, too, I just don't want to get shot installing my burglar alarm.
Even if the neighborhood is safe, I still hate high traffic areas. The "Ho" house would drive me nuts!

[ocean2026]

Rich lady has it correct and I do feel sorry for ZIP.

I went to Pittsburgh last year to look at - maybe purchase a nice old building. I looked in many of the areas that are listed as the worst. I remember Hazelwood in particular. I'd wander around on foot at all hours -except if it was really dark and look. I'd stand by a building and yes I did stick out - Im a 5'10 173 white 50s male and most of the people were Black. Some would ask me -"Can I help you or What are you looking for?" with different degrees of friendliness. I'd point at a building and tell them "yes you can" and ask all sorts of questions. Almost everyone volunteered some good information. It was lots of fun. The only neighborhood I didn't try was Homewood- and perhaps here I took too many people's advice.

I do this in other cities too. The best line I ever heard when asked to describe a neighborhood was from a religious girl about a neighborhood in East Buffalo- She said " I drive by there on the Humbolt expressway every day to work and when I do I pray " Dear God I know my old car isn't doing well and soon you're going to take it from me, but please don't do so near Humbolt and Northland" No matter lol I wandered that place even at night looking at one old building in the all Black neighborhood- actually made a few friends and when the out of town owners were showing going to show it to me - I invited a local carpenter inside as well. The owner threw a fit, and it made the showing much less fun.

Anyway I think alot has to do with attitude.

By the way anyone knwo anything about Wilmerding? I know their economy sucks but they do have a pretty old church building for sale.

[Burgherette]

Wilmerding is pretty nice. You got the economy right, but overall it is probably worth it.
As far as the bad neighborhoods, be careful. From time to time it will be fine, but as far as any investment, I would stay away. Then again, there are nice areas in those, but even I am not quite sure where all of those are.(Hence my initial question)
Wilmerding, though, if you like it, I say go for it. Be safe!

[PeterRabbit]

A nice part of Wilkinsburg would be the area that's considered Regent Square. That side of town seems pretty safe. Regent Square is part Pgh./Swissvale/Edgewood/Wilkinsburg and I've seen cop cars from all four places when there was a disturbance at Braddock and Hutchinson.

[half country half city]

In my opinion

the best-
aspinwall
fox chapel
blawnox
shadyside
sq. hill
parts of mt. lebanon
parts of south park
parts of dormont
crafton
greentree
parts of west end


the worst-
hill district
homewood
wilkinsburg
parts of east liberty
braddock
hazelwood
greenfield
carrick
mt. oliver
new kensington
baldwin
parts of homestead
parts of mt. lebanon
parts of south park
parts of west liberty
parts of west end

[Benzman66]

Originally Posted by half country half city

In my opinion
the worst-

baldwin

That depends on what side of RT51 you are on. Baldwin is Brentwood side, South Baldwin is Whitehall side.

South Baldwin seems pretty nice.

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by half country half city

In my opinion

the best-
aspinwall
fox chapel
blawnox
shadyside
sq. hill
parts of mt. lebanon
parts of south park
parts of dormont
crafton
greentree
parts of west end


the worst-
hill district
homewood
wilkinsburg
parts of east liberty
braddock
hazelwood
greenfield
carrick
mt. oliver
new kensington
baldwin
parts of homestead
parts of mt. lebanon
parts of south park
parts of west liberty
parts of west end

The Worst? Mt Lebanon, Baldwin and South Park? I'm sorry but that is misleading and ridiculous. And exactly where is 'West Liberty'?