rough spots/places to avoid (Pittsburgh, Allentown: homes, price, moving to)

[Katiana]

Beaver Falls isn't particularly unsafe; it's just, as DH once said, "depressingly depressed". Per city-data, crime is higher than average than US, but that is common in ANY city. The "suburban" area of Beaver Falls, to the west of the city proper, (Patterson Hts, Patterson Twp, White Twp, Chippewa Twp) is decent.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by PPG

Here's my list:

Allentown
Arlington
Beltzhoover
Knoxville
Mt. Oliver
St. Clair village
Esplen
Elliot
West End
Sheraden
Fairywood
Mckees rocks
Sto Rocks
Crafton Heights (parts)
Greenway
Garfield
Larimer
Lincoln/Lemington
Belmar
Homewood
Wilkinsburgh
Penn hills (parts)
East lib
East hills
Braddock
Duquesne
Mckeesport
Clairton
East Pittsburgh
Rankin
Swissvale (parts)
South Oakland
Hill District
Uptown/Bluff
Manchester
Central Northside
Perry South
Brighton Heights (parts)
Spring Garden
Spring Hill
East ohio
Northveiw Heights
Stript District (penn ave)
Hazelwood
Homestead (parts)
Glen Hazel
Hays
Aliquippa
Ambrige
New Castle
Neville Island
Beaver Falls

I'm sure I forgot a few.

That's crazy pimps, I'm starting to think you may have issues :-)

[Hopes]

If you look at the crime maps, maybe we're the ones who are crazy to go into some of those places.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Hopes

If you look at the crime maps, maybe we're the ones who are crazy to go into some of those places.

LOL! You're probably right! I think when we feel familiar with a place, it doesn't seem as unsafe. In some cases, that may be a false sense of security.

[PPG]

Most of these are just rough areas, places to avoid moving to.
These neighborhoods are not as good as places like Shadyside or Squirrel Hill....etc.

[prototypepariah]

Originally Posted by princesspolamalu

I don't really understand the point of this post. What do you mean area's to steer clear of? Most of the areas you listed are residential so unless you know someone in these areas that you are going to visit why would you be there.
As Hopes mentioned there has been a major redevelopment in East Liberty. There is also a very nice Borders bookstore and a selection of new restaurants on Highland Avenue in addition to the things she mentioned. The Edgewood town center is also a nice shopping complex in the Swissvale area. I shop there and do laundry every week and have never had any problems. You will need to drive through Swissvale and Rankin if you ever want to venture off to the Waterfront in Homestead. This is another awesome shopping area.
The best advice that I can give is be smart and use your best judgement when traveling. The areas that are most dangerous are the ones that you really should have no reason to be in.

I want to have an idea of what to expect when i'm looking for things/driving aimlessly. It really wasn't an avoid at all cost but rather than trial and error wanted a little heads up. I don't know what is residential or not. Or where the little hole in the wall places to eat, that are safe to check out.

[allisen]

Oh for goodness sakes. Some of these places you shouldn't walk alone at night, but really - you're going to steer clear of East Liberty? You know - the parking lot at the Whole Foods is a real menace at 2pm on a Saturday . Some of the lists look like a list of working-class neighborhoods.

[NowACityGirl]

You know - the parking lot at the Whole Foods is a real menace at 2pm on a Saturday

This made me laugh so hard.

Sorry, I just found this thread. Just thought I'd add my two cents.

I live in Highland Park, right on the edge of East Liberty (near Stanton/Negley)....I don't feel threatened at all. It's really not bad if you just watch your back and use common sense. There are a lot of really nice places in East Lib, including Borders, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, there's a really nice Goodwill there too that I've found a lot of nice things there for cheap, and the Market District isn't far from Whole Foods (although it is considered to be in Shadyside). But the point is, East Lib. isn't all that bad, although I prefer if my roommate rides the bus if he gets out of work after dark rather than walk through it. Just to be on the safe side.

[richlady]

Originally Posted by PPG

Here's my list:

Allentown
Arlington
Beltzhoover
Knoxville
Mt. Oliver
St. Clair village
Esplen
Elliot
West End
Sheraden
Fairywood
Mckees rocks
Sto Rocks
Crafton Heights (parts)
Greenway
Garfield
Larimer
Lincoln/Lemington
Belmar
Homewood
Wilkinsburgh
Penn hills (parts)
East lib
East hills
Braddock
Duquesne
Mckeesport
Clairton
East Pittsburgh
Rankin
Swissvale (parts)
South Oakland
Hill District
Uptown/Bluff
Manchester
Central Northside
Perry South
Brighton Heights (parts)
Spring Garden
Spring Hill
East ohio
Northveiw Heights
Stript District (penn ave)
Hazelwood
Homestead (parts)
Glen Hazel
Hays
Aliquippa
Ambrige
New Castle
Neville Island
Beaver Falls

I'm sure I forgot a few.

DON'T EVER LEAVE YOUR HOUSE!

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by Hopes

There is no reason to avoid the shopping areas in East Liberty.

I don't agree with that at all, the furthest we would go in East Liberty is Borders Books, the rest of the area is disgustingly littered with trash and patroled by thugs.