Millvale (Pittsburgh, Etna, Sharpsburg: rental, crime, how much)

[userrobin]

What is Millvale like? Is it a different city, outside of Pittsburgh? I am looking to be north of the rivers, and thought it might be a nice place to look. I am looking to rent, city neighborhood is fine. 2-4 bedroom older home is ideal. Please provide any info, Much Thanks!

[SteelCityRising]

Millvale is a separate incorporated town across the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh (the Lawrenceville neighborhood to be exact). Like its northeastern neighbors of Etna and Sharpsburg, Millvale hit its prime decades ago and has been in steady decline ever since. Overall the community is safe, but it has a very weathered and worn appearance and aura enshrouding it. It has a small central business district along Grant Avenue and North Avenue. It's a decent place to live. Like most of the older communities in Allegheny County it's not fancy, but it works.

[grimacista]

Honestly, I would not buy in Millvale. The town is very, very weathered. The housing stock is also not that appealing.

[greg42]

The main drawback to Millvale I can think of has been flooding. Best to look for high ground if you can. I suppose that would more of an issue when buying, but even though you're renting you don't necessarily want all your stuff ruined. There are some higher places, and you might ask people who live or work there what floods and what doesn't. Other than that I think Millvale should be a decent place to live. It's worn, but it has its plusses. You get Pamela's Diner and especially Jean-Marc Chatellier's French Bakery, yum. (Coworker brought us some stuff from there today.) And a big plus is its convenience to the city. Dunno if schools matter to you, but it's in the Shaler Area school district. Based on your earlier posts I think you would like it.

[h_curtis]

It is about as cheap as it gets, unless you compare it to really crime ridden areas like Homewood or the like. The homes are mostly sided and not very nice. Looks like an old mill town, but the downtown is okay. Has the best bakery in the burgh and some cool little bars. I am there a lot because the access to the river and the trail that goes into the city. Much of Millvale isn't in the flood zone, but the downtown can get hit if the waters really get high. Doesn't happen often, but it has.

[PeterRabbit]

Like everyone has said, Millvale is beat up, but isn't a place to be afraid of and is in a very good location. Other places to consider near the river are Blawnox and Harmar.

[BrianTH]

You can find maps of the flood zone somewhere (I forget where, but I have seen them online before).

Generally, although rundown, Millvale is cheap, safe, has some interesting places, and is closer to Downtown than a decent number of neighborhoods actually in the City. I kinda think of it as an extension of the Lawrenceville/Polish Hill/Bloomfield "hipster belt", and you could definitely do worse (particularly for the price).

[heartchya]

It's a safe, cheap place to live. Great location as far as having access to the city,Lawrenceville, Mcknight Road, etc. I have lived here a few years now and there has not been any flooding. However most of Millvale is hills really...so the majority of Millvale does not flood. I live on a hill. The house next to me is owned by a rental agency and is going to be available for rent soon. 2 bedrooms, large kitchen, living room, deck, and small back yard. Not sure how much it rents for but I believe it is about $600/mo.

[Herodotus]

Millvale is very urban. Lots of attached housing, many of them stoop fronted, and most without front yards. If you enjoy an urban feel, you might like it. If you're suburban minded, you probably won't.

[ex-burgher]

Millvale does not seem urban to me - rather I feel like I'm in a small run-down town in West Virginia - far away from any big city. (I mean this in a positive sense )