where to move? (Pittsburgh, York, Bethel Park: property taxes, apartments, income)

[pghlibrarian]

OK. I'm going to weigh in here on some finer points about working at Pitt/UPMC, especially in light of the move of Children's Hospital to Lawrenceville. My partner just started working at the Medical School at Pitt in June, and will need to travel to the new Children's Hospital from his office in Oakland when it opens.

1. The waiting list for parking at Pitt is not that bad. My partner was told to expect a LONG wait time for parking, and then not to expect a great lot that would be convenient to his office. Only a month and a half later, he was just offered a parking spot in a Pitt garage for $95/month, which is not that bad. He's currently commuting to Pitt from Bethel Park via the T and bus, and while it's not a bad commute compared to our commutes in Baltimore/DC and San Francisco, it's a little long for Pittsburgh standards at a little over 90 minutes each way. If he drives, even with the tunnel traffic, his commute will likely be cut in half.

2. If you can get to Oakland on public transportation, and most forms of public transit in Pittsburgh stop in Oakland (except the T - which is a topic for another post), you can take a convenient Pitt or UPMC shuttle to the new Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville. The University and UPMC have made assurances for years to the faculty, staff, and students there that they will provide transportation between the Lawrenceville hospital and the main campus points in Oakland. And I see no reason why this shouldn't be the case. There is a very efficient shuttle service between the UPMC Oakland hospitals and Shadyside Hospital now, and they are no farther from each other than the new Children's will be in Lawrenceville.

I'm in a "dual-academic" relationship as well where my new place of employment (a Penn State campus in Sharon, PA) is far flung from my partner's place of employment at Pitt, but we have made it work, and I have confidence that you will make it work as well. Enjoy Pittsburgh, pick a neighborhood you like, find a great place to live, and don't worry about the commutes. Compared to the cities you have lived in before, Pittsburgh should be fine.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by pghlibrarian

1. The waiting list for parking at Pitt is not that bad. My partner was told to expect a LONG wait time for parking, and then not to expect a great lot that would be convenient to his office. Only a month and a half later, he was just offered a parking spot in a Pitt garage for $95/month, which is not that bad. He's currently commuting to Pitt from Bethel Park via the T and bus, and while it's not a bad commute compared to our commutes in Baltimore/DC and San Francisco, it's a little long for Pittsburgh standards at a little over 90 minutes each way. If he drives, even with the tunnel traffic, his commute will likely be cut in half.

Thanks for the inside information! $95/month is bargain parking! That's great news!

Originally Posted by pghlibrarian

2. If you can get to Oakland on public transportation, and most forms of public transit in Pittsburgh stop in Oakland (except the T - which is a topic for another post), you can take a convenient Pitt or UPMC shuttle to the new Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville.

I just wanted to clarify that most public transportation doesn't directly stop in Oakland. From most parts of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities, getting to Oakland requires a transfer downtown. As you already know first hand, that adds considerable time to the commute.

Originally Posted by pghlibrarian

The University and UPMC have made assurances for years to the faculty, staff, and students there that they will provide transportation between the Lawrenceville hospital and the main campus points in Oakland. And I see no reason why this shouldn't be the case. There is a very efficient shuttle service between the UPMC Oakland hospitals and Shadyside Hospital now, and they are no farther from each other than the new Children's will be in Lawrenceville.

It's good to know that she'll have transportation available if she just focused on a neighborhood convenient for getting to Oakland. The downside is that hopping on that shuttle will add time to the commute too. If I didn't already own a home, I wouldn't buy until I was working in Lawrenceville and I'd buy so I could get there easily. She's lucky in that regard. She doesn't have to resort to taking that shuttle because she's not stuck with a mortgage yet.

Originally Posted by pghlibrarian

I'm in a "dual-academic" relationship as well where my new place of employment (a Penn State campus in Sharon, PA).....

Congratulations! I remember when you were going for the interview.

[Gerbil]

I believe you can do this, and I don't think it'll be as hard as it may sound.

The sidewalks here are generally fine. I don't often see sections that are bad enough to catch my attention, and when I do it's usually in less desirable neighborhoods. I'd say sidewalks are a non-factor.

If you are willing to walk a little ways to the bus-stop, I think you have some good options. Many many buses go to Oakland, so let's focus on buses to Lawrenceville. I showed one in my earlier post. You can also go to the port authority website at Port Authority of Allegheny County and look at the routes that go through Lawrenceville, and see what other neighborhoods they go to.

I do agree that Shadyside is a good option. Bear in mind that Liberty Avenue has a bike lane now, and that goes right through Lawrenceville. Parts of Shadyside are pretty close to that street and also convenient to amenities. Shadyside has good schools too.

I think you can do this. People are trying to point out the things you need to keep in mind, and thus it may be coming across as if this will be difficult. But in fact I think it's very doable.

[lostinpgh]

Originally Posted by pghlibrarian

2. If you can get to Oakland on public transportation, and most forms of public transit in Pittsburgh stop in Oakland (except the T - which is a topic for another post), you can take a convenient Pitt or UPMC shuttle to the new Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville.

Thanks; this is very good to hear, as it opens up a whole range of neighborhoods we had thought were less manageable, like Squirrel Hill.

[lostinpgh]

Originally Posted by Gerbil

I believe you can do this, and I don't think it'll be as hard as it may sound.

Good to hear; thank you.

[pghlibrarian]

Originally Posted by lostinpgh

Thanks; this is very good to hear, as it opens up a whole range of neighborhoods we had thought were less manageable, like Squirrel Hill.

I think Squirrel Hill to Lawrenceville will be VERY do-able. Your husband will have a longish commute to California, but once they complete the Mon-Fayette Expressway PA-43 (will any of us be living? ), it will be a breeze. Actually, the commute down 51 and 43 from Pittsburgh isn't a bad one.

[pghlibrarian]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Congratulations! I remember when you were going for the interview.

Thanks Hopes! I'm finishing up my last week here in DC and should be fully moved to Pittsburgh by next week.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by lostinpgh

Thanks Hopes! I'm finishing up my last week here in DC and should be fully moved to Pittsburgh by next week.

Wow! No more long distance relationship! That's great!

When does the lease expire again? (I remember you were planning to only stay in the South Hills until it expired.)

Do you have an idea of which areas that are more centrally located between your places of employment that you like best?

[pghlibrarian]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Wow! No more long distance relationship! That's great!

When does the lease expire again? (I remember you were planning to only stay in the South Hills until it expired.)

Do you have an idea of which areas that are more centrally located between your places of employment that you like best?

Our lease expires at the end of April 2008, so we really only have about 9 months left to live in the South Hills. We really like where we live, and we'll be sad to move, but a more centrally located place will be better for my car and my sanity!

We will most likely move to an apartment in Cranberry Township when the lease is up, but we have looked at some places in Wexford and northern Allegheny County as well. It's a little father for me, but the Airport area may work out as well. There are some good apartments in Moon and Robinson townships. In a few years we'll probably buy a house and Southern Butler or Beaver County look attractive for a number of reasons, taxes being the biggest concern. I told my mom what some of the millage rates were in Allegheny County and she nearly fell off her chair. And this is coming from a homeowner in New York State, another place infamous for high property taxes.

We really like Cranberry Township, and have taken a look at Beaver and Monaca and liked what we saw. My dream house is a early 20th century bungalow, so Beaver may be just what we are looking for. We need to do a little more exploring of Butler and Beaver Counties. I appreciate the insights that everyone has given on here - they have been really helpful.

[Katiana]

There are a lot of early 20th century houses in Patterson Hts, Beaver County, though you may find the commutes a bit much.