Bellevue -- on it's way up or down? (Pittsburgh, Avalon: real estate, work)

[la_torquemada]

Hi All --

We're considering a move to Bellevue and I am looking for opinions about its future. I currently live in Mt Oliver (don't laugh -- my street is just fine and we have had no serious trouble here in 7 years), but now that I have little kids, I'd like to live somewhere where we can walk to the library, parks, ice cream, etc. If I could afford it I'd live in Sq. Hill, but I can't, so Bellevue seems like about the next best option. I hear people mentioning Bellevue as an up-and-coming neighborhood a lot, but I'd like some more opinions about whether it's really going up, just staying the same, or even declining.

Thanks!

[Hopes]

I don't think that Bellevue is going up or down. Bellevue has been the same Bellevue I've known my entire life. It's a safe, stable, working class neighborhood. I only suspect people anticipate it will someday be on the rise is because it is a safe neighborhood with a close proximity to the city. They figure if any neighborhood has a chance of becoming a real estate payoff, it's Bellevue. I think it's just a nice, safe place to raise a family---nothing less and nothing more. If you can't afford the likes of Squirrel Hill, Bellevue is a very good option fo ryou.

[PghREA]

I agree with Hopes. Bellevue is one of the few areas that still has a busy main street with a "downtown" area. The residents of Bellevue are working hard to preserve what they have.

[claremarie]

The best way to figure that out is to go to Bellevue, pick out a neighborhood of homes in your price range, and walk around. Are there other young families out and about? Are people working on their homes and yards, or do you see lots of peeling paint and gardens overrun by weeds? A really good sign would be lots of contractors' trucks doing major renovation work. Talk to the people who live there now -- ask about schools, parks, shopping. If one of you will be home during the day with your children, try visiting mid-day during the week.

[globalburgh]

Creative Treehouse is located in Bellevue for good reason. I don't expect a boom, but the area is a safe bet for the reasons posted above. So, if quality of life is your main concern (instead of real estate speculation), Bellevue is a great choice. Over time, Bellevue will only get better.

[bboy36win]

Are Avalon and Ben Avon comparable to Bellevue? Thanks.

[la_torquemada]

Well, having been over there several times in the last few days researching, this is what I'd say:

-- Avalon is similar to Bellevue in terms of houses prices and types, but there's no shopping district. Some of the houses are bigger and more ornate, but, it's also closer to Ohio River Blvd.

-- Ben Avon is lovely. Some of the houses over there are bona fide mansions. The yards are beautiful. But, that said, it's kind of sterile. It has a little street with a few businesses on it, but no grocery or coffee shop or newsstand. It feels a little dead to me, like a beautiful green mausoleum, but is sure is pretty!

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by la_torquemada

Well, having been over there several times in the last few days researching, this is what I'd say:

-- Avalon is similar to Bellevue in terms of houses prices and types, but there's no shopping district. Some of the houses are bigger and more ornate, but, it's also closer to Ohio River Blvd.

-- Ben Avon is lovely. Some of the houses over there are bona fide mansions. The yards are beautiful. But, that said, it's kind of sterile. It has a little street with a few businesses on it, but no grocery or coffee shop or newsstand. It feels a little dead to me, like a beautiful green mausoleum, but is sure is pretty!

Is being close to Ohio River Boulevard a bad thing? And if so, why?

And given how small these towns are, would it be possible when one is feeling energetic to walk from Avalon to the Bellevue shopping district? (Without having to walk along a super busy 6 lane motorway, while having interesting homes or other buildings to look at why you make your way. Even though a walk may be somewhat long if the route is interesting it makes for a nice little trip.)

On the flip side of this, could someone walk from Ben Avon to Emsworth, and find a small shopping district there?

[la_torquemada]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

Is being close to Ohio River Boulevard a bad thing? And if so, why?

I'd say it is, just because OHB is a busy, fast road that's used at all times of day and night. There's the noise and air pollution factor from that, and if you've got little kids, it's not a street you really want them walking or biking near.

Originally Posted by kettlepot

And given how small these towns are, would it be possible when one is feeling energetic to walk from Avalon to the Bellevue shopping district? (Without having to walk along a super busy 6 lane motorway, while having interesting homes or other buildings to look at why you make your way. Even though a walk may be somewhat long if the route is interesting it makes for a nice little trip.)

Sure -- from Avalon to the main street of Bellevue would be between 1/2 and 2 miles depending on which end you were starting from, though a big section is up a very steep hill. Totally doable for adults or bigger kids, but probably a bit much for kids under maybe 8.

Originally Posted by kettlepot

On the flip side of this, could someone walk from Ben Avon to Emsworth, and find a small shopping district there?

It's a walkable distance, to be sure (.5 to 2 miles again), though I haven't been to Emsworth, so I can't say if there's shopping there or not.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

Is being close to Ohio River Boulevard a bad thing? And if so, why?

There was a factory on Neville Island that produced a smell in Avalon if the wind changed direction.

Fortunately, most of Pittsburgh's weather comes from the northwest so the smell isn't a very common occurrence.