Morningside (Pittsburgh, Liberty, Highland Park: middle-class, real estate, rentals)

[gg]

I never hear anyone talk about the little place called Morningside. I know it okay and have ridden about every street. Seems closer to the river is better, but the homes are cooler closer to Stanton. I don't feel it is too unsafe, but there was a little store that closed because it was robbed too many times. Not good. The store was tiny and closer to Stanton. I don't know the name of it. Anyway, anyone have any thoughts on this area? Going to be better in 10 years or worse? I don't feel it will get worse, but don't know. Rent is pretty high there, but there are areas close by that are not good.

[BrianTH]

We talk about it every once in a while. Morningside is a stable, working-to-middle-class neighborhood. Housing prices have gone up a little--not as much in some other East End neighborhoods, but enough to keep it steady. It doesn't have a great commercial district of its own or the most exciting housing stock, but it is one of those affordable, solid neighborhoods that make Pittsburgh a good value proposition.

Edit: Oh, I expect it to continue to see some appreciation and increased interest as East Liberty and the Friendship/Garfield area redevelop. Because it didn't drop as low as some places it may not have as much appreciation, but I expect it to do at least OK.

[PeterRabbit]

Why do you say the rent is pretty high? What are you comparing their rents to? What are the nearby areas that aren't so good?

[Hopes]

Morningside is a great place. It's an old Italian neighborhood.

Generations of families live there---children growing up with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in the same neighborhood.

St. Raphael plays an important role in what keeps the community together.

It has always been surrounded by areas that are worse. Morningside is still the same as it was 30 years ago when I first went there, and I'll bet it was the same long before that.

It won't go downhill. It doesn't need a commercial district. It's sort of a city "bedroom community" that's conveniently located near great shopping areas.

[gg]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

Why do you say the rent is pretty high? What are you comparing their rents to? What are the nearby areas that aren't so good?

I was looking at home prices in comparison to rent received and the numbers are better than a Shadyside or Squirrel Hill and even Highland Park.

Morninside is an interesting little place. It is little, but located pretty well and not that far from some really good shopping. Not walking, but not far.

[robrobrob]

I get my hair cut there from Tim the barber. Great haircut and it is only $7. Tim is a character. If you want to know about the neighborhood he is the best source. Moringside has actually gotten much nicer recently. Young professionals priced out of the rest of the East End have bought there in the last five years. Houses are being flipped there constantly. Some are even bringing in over 200,000. The further from Stanton the better it is.

A friend from high school raved about rentals in Morningside because you would never get a call to fix the small stuff. He said the the tenant would do it on his own. That was some time ago so this may have changed as the neighborhood went upscale.

[SteelCityRising]

I made a delivery today to a nicely-landscaped home near the northern end of Morningside Avenue, and I couldn't help but fall in love with the character of the neighborhood. Out of curiosity I did a CraigsList search for rentals and found that there weren't many available, which kept prices relatively steep for 1-BR units (generally $750/month, on average, plus utilities in many cases). I was saddened, though, to see that there weren't many that accepted dogs.

While nothing is set in stone my better half and I are considering finding a place together in August 2012, and it never hurts to start looking early to pinpoint a good neighborhood. Ideally I'd love to have him move in with me here in Polish Hill, but he has a dog.

I really like this neighborhood.

[gg]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I made a delivery today to a nicely-landscaped home near the northern end of Morningside Avenue, and I couldn't help but fall in love with the character of the neighborhood. Out of curiosity I did a CraigsList search for rentals and found that there weren't many available, which kept prices relatively steep for 1-BR units (generally $750/month, on average, plus utilities in many cases). I was saddened, though, to see that there weren't many that accepted dogs.

While nothing is set in stone my better half and I are considering finding a place together in August 2012, and it never hurts to start looking early to pinpoint a good neighborhood. Ideally I'd love to have him move in with me here in Polish Hill, but he has a dog.

I really like this neighborhood.

That area does bring good rent. Always did. You are better off buying a home in Morningside than renting. There are some pretty cool little places or buy that one for $130's that has 4-5 units. I can't remember the street is it on, but you can find it. You can use the current tenants to pay for your mortgage and also those rents can be used for income in helping you qualify for the purchase.

[serum86]

I think Morningside is still one of the best kept secrets in the city. Very tight knit. Still very Italian (more so than Bloomfield). St. Raphael has a good school and the best fish fry in the Burgh. Real estate is affordable but stable. No signs of deterioration, although it could use a few more businesses. Great neighborhood for kids. It's a little out of the way but not as bad as most suburbs. I don't really know why I don't live there.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by serum86

I think Morningside is still one of the best kept secrets in the city. Very tight knit. Still very Italian (more so than Bloomfield). St. Raphael has a good school and the best fish fry in the Burgh. Real estate is affordable but stable. No signs of deterioration, although it could use a few more businesses. Great neighborhood for kids. It's a little out of the way but not as bad as most suburbs. I don't really know why I don't live there.

I agree; Morningside is a great little gem as long as you aren't too bothered by the lack of a business district.