Regent Square and the East End (Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg: equity, landscaping, travel)

[CaptainObvious]

I've done more than extensive traveling in just about every neighborhood and town in PA for work (homecare). However, I can't say I've been on many streets in Regent Square. That area gets a lot of good reviews on this board seems to often be seen as a good alternative to Shadyside if one is looking for a tad more economical solution.

Now, when I say I haven't been in Regent Square much, I suppose it is all relative. I've probably been into 2 or 3 homes there this year, which is probably 2 or 3 more than most people that don't live there.

So I have been there many times. I've seen it with my own eyes. I just never got a good "feel" for the community. If anyone has fairly extensive knowledge of Regent Square, and can give me a good assessment, I'd appreciate it. I've reviewed many of the threads on this board pertaining to Regent Square, and have been there several times, so I know the basics. If anybody has intimate knowledge of it, I'm wondering...compare the safety of it (as in my wife walking the dog at night) with surrounding neighborhoods. I understand this is largely subjective and I don't like the long threads where we all talk about how horrible places are, but a few simple sentences about your general impression of the safety of the place would be nice. Where do people that live there shop? Is there a supermarket close by? Are the people that live there typically professionals, blue-collars, welfare recipients? White? Black? Hispanic? Mostly on-street parking or off? Yards or houses crammed-up against each other? A walking community or no?

Thanks!

CaptainObvious

[Geeo]

Regent Square is a good community. Somewhat integrated - majority white with a small African American population. Generally professional and middle to upper-middle class. Good housing stock - substantial brick houses from the first half of the 20th century. Tree-lined streets with yards. Neighborhood shopping district along Braddock Avenue. Convenient to parkway - good public transportation to Oakland and downtown Pittsburgh.
Generally safe - many people walk their dogs in the evening. Neighbors know each other. Housing less expensive than Shadyside or Squirrel Hill, but same quality. Regent Square is part of the East End nexus of nice neighborhoods like Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Highland Park, Friendship, Edgewood, Point Breeze, Swisshelm Park. If you want to see a good story onthe area, check out Rick Sebak's WQED production called "It's the Neighborhoods," which contains a story about Regent Square.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

If anybody has intimate knowledge of it, I'm wondering...compare the safety of it (as in my wife walking the dog at night) with surrounding neighborhoods. I understand this is largely subjective and I don't like the long threads where we all talk about how horrible places are, but a few simple sentences about your general impression of the safety of the place would be nice.

Regent Square is safe for walking the dog at night. You'll have to keep to certain areas. She shouldn't walk two miles into homewood. You'll live right next to Frick Park which has a dog park. It's the perfect place to live with a dog. Keep the long walks for during the daytime. I wouldn't go into any park after dark unless there was an event scheduled.

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

Where do people that live there shop?

As mentioned, there's a shopping district on Braddock. By car, you're very close to the Waterfront and all of the shopping in Squirrel Hill, Shadyside and East Liberty. Actually, Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill is within reasonable walking distance too.

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

Is there a supermarket close by?

Better yet, there's a co-op within blocks! You can also go to the Giant Eagle on Murray Avenue. It's very close by.

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

Are the people that live there typically professionals, blue-collars, welfare recipients?

Definitely professionals---middle class, upper middle class and upper class. Regent Square does have wealth sprinkled throughout the area.

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

White? Black? Hispanic?

Almost everyone is a professional regardless. Regent Square is 93.9% white. Check out the stats if you want more info.

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

Mostly on-street parking or off?

It depends on the street. Most houses in the area have driveways and garages. Visitors may still park on many of the streets regardless of driveways. Some streets are so narrow that on-street parking is not even possible.

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

Yards or houses crammed-up against each other?

Less so than Shadyside. The spacing is more like the more suburban-type streets in Squirrel Hill. Most houses have mature landscaping for privacy.

[CaptainObvious]

Thanks Hopes, Geeo. Doesn't it seem like Shadyside and Squirrel Hill get all the press? I mean so far as locals seem to think those are the "nice" parts of the city? I never hear anything about Regent Square! When speaking with fellow Allegheny County residents in general, and on this board, I seem to hear alot about Shadyside, Squirrel Hill (parts), Fox Chapel, Sewickley, Mt. Lebo, USC...and not alot about Regent Square. Does Regent Square deserve to mentioned in the same breath as these other places as far as "niceness" goes? Is there some drawback I'm missing?

Captain

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

Thanks Hopes, Geeo. Doesn't it seem like Shadyside and Squirrel Hill get all the press? I mean so far as locals seem to think those are the "nice" parts of the city? I never hear anything about Regent Square! When speaking with fellow Allegheny County residents in general, and on this board, I seem to hear alot about Shadyside, Squirrel Hill (parts), Fox Chapel, Sewickley, Mt. Lebo, USC...and not alot about Regent Square. Does Regent Square deserve to mentioned in the same breath as these other places as far as "niceness" goes? Is there some drawback I'm missing?

Captain

There has been quite a bit on this forum about Regent Square. You could do a search.

[tommygoat]

CO I was searching thruogh area. Check out this house. I could live there ... except look at those taxes!!!!

Steve J. Mole, MBA, GRI, SRES, e-PRO, Member: Council of Residential Specialists

[CaptainObvious]

Originally Posted by tommygoat

CO I was searching thruogh area. Check out this house. I could live there ... except look at those taxes!!!!

Steve J. Mole, MBA, GRI, SRES, e-PRO, Member: Council of Residential Specialists

Wow. That house looks fantastic. I can't believe I'm saying this (the guy that complains about housing prices all the time), but that is actually cheap! Those taxes are absolutely nuts though- you're right. Madness. I also noticed it said the home was in the Wilkinsburg school district. So I guess I have in part answered my own question. There's two drawbacks right there- taxes, schools.

Cap

[tommygoat]

Yes, it is cheap in my eyes! However, I'm considering moving to Pgh from LA. I could finally get a real nice house because I have huge equity in my current home. But! How can anyone justify paying an extra $700 in taxes each month just to own a medium size 275K house?? That is the cleansest older home I have seen in while. The owner did a fabulous job! Oh well.

[tommygoat]

Oh yeah - if you look at a map you can se some of the houses in Regent Square are actually 'on the park' in Frick Park. I would like to check that out.

[Hopes]

Those areas you mentioned are the upper class neighborhoods, CO. That's where the wealth is located. There are certainly many upper middle class neighborhoods that are equally respectable, but people seem to only share the best of the best without realizing that not everyone can afford to live in the most expensive neighborhodss. With the way you're complaining about housing prices, you're not going to be buying in those neighborhoods anyway so don't worry about it.

I assure you that Regent Square is a respected area. There are people of significant wealth who choose to live in Regent Square, CO. The neighborhood has a blend of middle, upper middle and upper. That's not a bad blend. The location is to die for. It's literally butted up against Frick Park. You simply walk down your street a few houses and onto a path leading into the park. Some people simply walk through their back yard to get there. It's one of the few neighborhoods where you get the feel of living in the woods right in the middle of the city.

The only drawback that Regent Square has is one that almost every other city neighborhood shares: it's close to a dangerous area. However, Regent Square's crime statistics rank it as safer than Shadyside and Squirrel Hill South. Regent Square has a good image, CO.