Working at Pitt, family neighborhood- Aspinwall or Pt Breeze? (Philadelphia: middle-class, renting)

[Hanna52403]

Hey!

We're going to be moving from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh for my DH's new job at Pitt. We have 3 kids, and right now live in a wonderful Philly suburb. School districts are very important to us. We are Catholic so we'd like to be at least 20-25 minutes from a parish.


My DH is prowling around the 'Burgh now, and he really likes Sharpsburg, Aspinwall and Point Breeze. Ideally, we'd love a nice family neighborhood that isn't too bad for his commute to Pitt (Half hour each way, at most). What do you think?

Thanks for your help- we're very excited

[BrianTH]

None of those places is far from Pitt, but Point Breeze is easily the closest. Point Breeze is one of the nicest, most family-friendly residential neighborhoods in the City of Pittsburgh, and has some of the better feeder schools in the school district (plus there are some good Catholic schools in the area, if you would be interested in that).

Sharpsburg (more blue-collar/gritty) and Aspinwall (more upper-middle-class/polished) are both in one of the best school districts in the entire area (Fox Chapel). You are never too far from a parish in Pittsburgh, so that isn't an issue.

I would note there are a lot more options along those lines if you are interested, both in the City and nearby. Personally, I'd suggest renting for a while before committing to a particular neighborhood.

[Little Mizz Pittsburgh]

I suggest Aspinwall. Nice small quaint town which is 2 minutes away from the 'city'...School district is decent, and you have easy access to the North Side and the East Side of Pittsburgh.

[Scientist Mom]

If good public schools are a priority, Aspinwall/ Sharpsburg/ O'hara Township - hands down. Fox Chapel school district is considered one of the best in the area. Commute should be reasonable but others can give you first hand info.

South Pt Breeze is a wonderful neighborhood and would be a very short (10 min?) commute to Pitt with none of the hassles of bridges and freeways but if schools are important you will have to go private, catholic, or navigate the magnet schools and stronger programs within Pittsburgh Public schools. We belong to St Bede's Catholic Church in Pt Breeze and our daughter goes to school there.

Because Pittsburgh is heavily Catholic (or at least has traditionally been), you should not have any problem finding a Catholic Church <20 min from wherever you choose to live.

[robrobrob]

I guess it depends on your Budget. You got to have a big budget, at least for Pittsburgh, to live in South Point Breeze. For me I would need to spend over 350,000. I lived there for a bit. Didn't like it as much as Aspinwall, where I lived for three years. Your choices are more modest in Aspinwall where you can get a nice house for a lot less. Sharpsburg is no where near as nice as Aspinwall even thought the business district looks ok.

There are Catholic churches in both South Point Breeze and in Aspinwall.

[h_curtis]

3 kids and a commute to Pitt. Just look in the Fox Chapel School District. No Sharpsburg, but everywhere else in the district is fine. Blawnox, is a little cheaper than Aspinwall, but I think Aspinwall is nicer for many reasons. Seems like you are on the right track. I love Point Breeze, but that is city schools.

[shadysider412]

i used to live in sharpsburg and liked it there alot and it is in the fox chapel school district however if youre three children are accustomed to suburban life they may not adjust well in sharpsburg it is a bit gritty. safe for the most part but gritty. Aspinwall is a great option its an easy commute into oakland and pitt a short drive across the hp bridge and up over the hill by the zoo youre at pitt in ten minutes. traffic through aspinwall on freeport can be a headache especially on weekends with people traveling to and from waterworks mall but thats really the only downside to aspinwall. in my opinion if youre considering point breeze in the city i would also look at squirrel hill. very nice safe family friendly and alot more things to do and places to shop there as opposed to pt breeze which to me is the most boring lifeless neighborhood in the city

[pittsburgh22]

point breeze is nice but homewood is right on top of pt breeze and crime carries into north pt breeze.. south point breeze is nice.

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by shadysider412

... opposed to pt breeze which to me is the most boring lifeless neighborhood in the city

Point Breeze is more quiet, but goodness, you can walk to Shadyside if you like. I get a kick out of people that are so lazy they think Shadyside is some far away place from Point Breeze that is across 5th Ave. I am not talking about the Point Breeze on the other side of Penn. To me that isn't the real Point Breeze. Also, Pt. Breeze has a nice little artsy downtown. It is tiny, but pretty cool. Don't forget how close Pt. Breeze is to Bach and Brunch and great parks. I do love that area, but wow is it expensive.

For you kids, move to Aspinwall and enjoy it. I recommend lower Aspinwall if you enjoy walking. You will probably love it.

[Faer]

I'm going to randomly mention Sewickley village. You probably have already looked, I don't know, but I feel like it doesn't get suggested nearly enough here. Also Ben Avon.