rough spots/places to avoid (Pittsburgh, Allentown: homes, neighborhoods, live)

[prototypepariah]

Just moved to the city(squirrel hill) and not having had time to look through all the areas yet. but I want to get an idea of where to avoid, or even just try to steer clear of.

so far it would seem that:

beltzhoover
mt. oliver
mckees rocks/stowe
most of the immediate north side (spring hill, troy hill mexican streets area)
east liberty more or less
wilkinsburg - after pennwood ave
swissvale
hazelwood/glenwood

I didn't make it to this way but:
duquesne
homestead
mckeesport

some ones I was also curious about were:

sharpsburg/apsinwall/millvale
east pittsburgh area - turtle creek/braddock


all thought appreciated

[kiggis13]

Hazelwood may be an eyesore, but I have always felt safe driving through there. I can't count the number of times i've driven through it (2nd ave./885) on my trip from home to CMU. I've never felt remotely threatened, even at night. I'm sure it gets a little worse as you go back into more, but i've driven up Hazelwood ave. and Johnston ave. other times and felt fine. It is, however, probably one of the ugliest places in the city (esp. the part past Hazelwood ave. going towards Greenfield).

[Hopes]

Being so close to Squirrel Hill, I'm surprised you forgot to add Homewood to your list.

Sharpsburg and Millvale are both safe---they're just low class, that's all.

Aspinwall is a very nice neighborhood.

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

[prototypepariah]

east liberty was one place we were told to avoid prior to coming so anything after route 8 we didn't go into. although I could see the father you got into the area the worse it would be.

how is that hot dog place over that way square something?

how is the waterworks? it is okay to be at later at night? - maybe similar to the gallery in philly?

[Hopes]

East Liberty isn't as bad as you think. You can definitely go farther than Route 8. There's a Whole Foods and other important stores in the center of East Liberty and a Trader Joes closer to route 8. Dont' let someone scare you away from going into the East Liberty area for shopping.

I'm not sure which hot dog place you're talking about. Do you mean Regent Square?

Waterworks is definitely fine---at anytime of day or night. It's a shopping strip mall in an affluent township. Not everyone there is from the area, but there's generally no problems.

[princesspolamalu]

Originally Posted by prototypepariah

Just moved to the city(squirrel hill) and not having had time to look through all the areas yet. but I want to get an idea of where to avoid, or even just try to steer clear of.

so far it would seem that:

beltzhoover
mt. oliver
mckees rocks/stowe
most of the immediate north side (spring hill, troy hill mexican streets area)
east liberty more or less
wilkinsburg - after pennwood ave
swissvale
hazelwood/glenwood

I didn't make it to this way but:
duquesne
homestead
mckeesport

some ones I was also curious about were:

sharpsburg/apsinwall/millvale
east pittsburgh area - turtle creek/braddock


all thought appreciated

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.

[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.

[CaptainObvious]

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.

Wow, dude. Seriously, you "steer clear" of all of New Castle? Beaver Falls? Crafton Heights? What is your criteria? Seems like you'd have to "steer clear" of about half of America if you think those neighborhoods are bad. I could easily take issue with Neville Island, Ambridge, and Stowe too. What gives?

Captain

[Drover]

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

Wow, dude. Seriously, you "steer clear" of all of New Castle? Beaver Falls? Crafton Heights? What is your criteria? Seems like you'd have to "steer clear" of about half of America if you think those neighborhoods are bad. I could easily take issue with Neville Island, Ambridge, and Stowe too. What gives?

Captain

Strip District too? I mean I know there are seedy parts of it... but c'mon, the strip is one of the busiest nightlife spots in the city.

[Hopes]

Pimps,

Is this your list for the faint of heart and those without common sense?

I really don't have issues with quite a few of those areas---especially during the daylight.

If you're going to make it all inclusive with far away areas lke Beaver Falls, I'm surprised you didn't include Arnold and New Kensington.