Lawrenceville... help! (Pittsburgh, Butler: best neighborhood, apartment, lease)

[birdandb]

I cannot get a clear answer on the safety of lawrenceville. my boyfriend and i signed a lease under the impression that lawrenceville is safe... were we naive?
we are moving there in two weeks from west virginia. we are very used to safety and freedom. all answers will be a great help.

[mister brewski]

Lawrenceville is starting to see a bit of a resurgence and in time my be a very nice area. That being said, I'd quote it at middle of the road at best when it comes to safety. Far safer than the worst areas of Pittsburgh, but probably nowhere near what you're used to in WV. Just be careful and use common sense and you should be fine.

[Hopes]

I've felt more unsafe in the back hills of West Virginia. But I won't lie---there are drug dealers and prostitutes (they're generally not obvious---they look like they're low lifes waiting for a bus at the bus stop) in Lawrenceville.

I've never felt unsafe there, but I do have some street smarts. If you have common sense, you'll be fine. It's not the best neighborhood. It's not terrible either----there are many middle class families in the area, and artists are snatching up housing there too.

The following article by the Lawreceville Historical Society titled "The Battle for Lawrenceville" explains Lawrenceville's struggles with drug, protitution and violence: Lawrenceville Historical Society - Resources[Articles] It's a current article referencing crimes from 2005 until the beginning of this year.

If you're uncomfortable living where you know there are prostitutes and drug dealers on the streets, I recommend cutting your losses and finding a new place to live. If you think that you have the skills and capability to live in an area that is relatively safe as long as you keep your wits about you, keep the apartment.

[birdandb]

that's the article that first put the fear of lawrenceville in me. oh boy.

well we aren't backing out of the lease... no money for that and the place is everything we wanted and then some.
i'm not worried about someone breaking into the house, it's very secure.
i am worried about waiting on the bus as well as my boyfriend biking from work in the evening. i guess i'm worried about random violence.
so...

(also do you live in lawrenceville?)

[birdandb]

also prostitutes and drug dealers are fine... but what's the gun situation?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by birdandb

i am worried about waiting on the bus as well as my boyfriend biking from work in the evening. i guess i'm worried about random violence.

If you've got street smarts, I don't think you'll likely have to worry about random violence. Don't be stupid and go into alleyways at night. You'll quickly get to know the area to know which parts are safer than others.

Originally Posted by birdandb

(also do you live in lawrenceville?)

Throughout my life I've had friends who lived in Lawrenceville. I'd go there to visit them.

Originally Posted by birdandb

also prostitutes and drug dealers are fine... but what's the gun situation?

Lawrenceville isn't an area where there are gang shootouts and drive by shootings (with the exception of 2 drive by shootings in 2003 in Lower Lawrenceville, and one in 2004 in Central Lawerenceville towards the river.) There have been shootings in some dive bars. Stay away from dive bars.

Here's a study of violence in Pittsburgh neighborhoods that includes maps:
http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/dh...sburgh2006.pdf

Here's a map of city neighborhoods so you can identify the different parts of Lawrenceville on the maps in the violence study:
Pittsburgh Map

Here's some old crime statistics broken down by neighborhood:
Part One: Pittsburgh neighborhood crime statistics
Part Two: Pittsburgh neighborhood crime statistics

Originally Posted by birdandb

well we aren't backing out of the lease... no money for that

Then you're going to have to learn to live in Lawrenceville.

[Gerbil]

I'd say as long as you keep to the main streets at night you'll be fine. It's not the safests neighborhood, but it doesn't seem to be a place where you need to worry about random violence. There are lots of people out and about on Butler St. at night, and I have never felt unsafe walking along it.

[Hopes]

The main street is where the prostitutes and drug dealers hang out. That's who is out and about on Butler Street!

I've never felt unsafe either though. Lawrenceville is a unique place in that regard.

[Ohiogirl81]

Prostitutes on Butler Street? My grandmother is spinning in her grave. Probably all her brothers and sisters, too!

I haven't spent any longer than an hour or two in Lawrenceville since she died in the mid-90s, but I don't feel unsafe there, either.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by Hopes

There have been shootings in some dive bars. Stay away from dive bars.

This is Street Smarts Lesson #14 and great advice for anyone moving to any part of any urban area...

A great way to end up with a bullet in your stomach is to go to a dive bar and start arguing about football or politics, or something similar.