South Oakland Question (Dawson: home, neighborhood, college)

[Fountainrunner]

I understand a lot of college students live in South Oakland but from what I've read online it seems they don't live below the Blvd of the Allies. Is this correct? If so, why? I'd like to hear from people who are actually familiar with this area (bet. Blvd of the Allies and Frazier Street). I'm interested in the properties at Oakland Court and Dawson Court and would like a general idea of the neighborhood before I visit. Would I be safe walking home from campus at night? Also, is it possible to walk to the Southside from that part of South Oakland? Many thanks.

[KoobleKar]

There are students below the Blvd.

Pitt has shuttles that circulate that area.....pretty late at night too. Your safety would depend on your lifestyle too. If you plan on closing the bars and walking around there at 2:30 am, then you may get mugged.

As a Pitt student, you can ride the PAT buses free (to the Southside or wherever). But, the walk isn't that far although you'd have to cross over a couple huge highways. I especially wouldn't want to walk that late at night.

[Renaldo5000]

Actually, the biggest collection of students is between Forbes Ave. and Blvd of the Allies which would be above the Blvd.

[kgavala]

I live in that 'sector' of Oakland...about 200 up Parkview from Frazier Park. The area is shadier-seeming, but there are a lot of students living there too. Being a girl I make it a point not to walk alone, but then again I rarely walk--I ride my bike a LOT after midnight and never see anything suspicious going on.

If you take Frazier all the way to its end near Bates, walk down a bunch of steps, turn left on Bates. Cross Second, take the Hot Metal Bridge sidewalk to the South Side. Very easy, takes you right under the Parkway.

There are a couple Pitt shuttles that run all throughout this area, but not during the summer. There is a PAT bus, the 84B 'Oakland Loop' that runs year-round and is just what it sounds like. Every half hour, looping up to Forbes.

[Fountainrunner]

Originally Posted by iwonderwhy2124

Actually, the biggest collection of students is between Forbes Ave. and Blvd of the Allies which would be above the Blvd.

Yes, I understand. I'm asking about the section below the Blvd, not above.

Originally Posted by kgavala

I live in that 'sector' of Oakland...about 200 up Parkview from Frazier Park. The area is shadier-seeming, but there are a lot of students living there too. Being a girl I make it a point not to walk alone, but then again I rarely walk--I ride my bike a LOT after midnight and never see anything suspicious going on.

If you take Frazier all the way to its end near Bates, walk down a bunch of steps, turn left on Bates. Cross Second, take the Hot Metal Bridge sidewalk to the South Side. Very easy, takes you right under the Parkway.

There are a couple Pitt shuttles that run all throughout this area, but not during the summer. There is a PAT bus, the 84B 'Oakland Loop' that runs year-round and is just what it sounds like. Every half hour, looping up to Forbes.

That's wonderful, so even though the area looks shady it's OK. I never hear people talk much about it. I just want to make sure I'm living around other young students too. Would a car be safe around there on the street? And by taking the Hot Metal Bridge sidewalk I can actually walk across the bridge over into South Side? How long is the walk? Thanks so much for your help.

[kgavala]

Originally Posted by Fountainrunner

That's wonderful, so even though the area looks shady it's OK. I never hear people talk much about it. I just want to make sure I'm living around other young students too. Would a car be safe around there on the street? And by taking the Hot Metal Bridge sidewalk I can actually walk across the bridge over into South Side? How long is the walk? Thanks so much for your help.

My street is probably half students, half families and/or nice older couples. Same goes for a lot of the area, it seems.

I live on a dead end street so my car is pretty safe, but I wouldn't hesitate to park it on Parkview (it's actually there now, haha). You don't really see as many smashed mirrors as other places in Oakland.

As for the walk, yes. There is a shared sidewalk (ped/bike) that takes you right over. I've never walked over, but by bike it's less than five minutes. Walking you could do it in ten, I'd bet, since you can get down the steps pretty quickly.

[grimacista]

The walk from Oakland to the Southside Works via Hot Metal is very easy and very quick. Definitely one of the bonuses of living in Oakland.

[kgavala]

Another benefit of this part of Oakland--you have Schenley Park right across the bridge. A short, parkway-free drive to the Waterfront through Greenfield, and super easy access to 279 and 376.

[nuwaver88]

That's a nice shortcut for sure. However, climbing these steps after a night of South Side revelry may not be the easiest task. This picture shows only a portion of them. loc:http://maps.google.com/?q=loc:+84th+...=fr-2346256379

http://maps.google.com/?q=loc:+84th+...,0.004812&z=18

[Fountainrunner]

Originally Posted by grimacista

The walk from Oakland to the Southside Works via Hot Metal is very easy and very quick. Definitely one of the bonuses of living in Oakland.

Excellent, I love walking. Not so much over a long bridge but I can learn to love it. lol

Originally Posted by kgavala

Another benefit of this part of Oakland--you have Schenley Park right across the bridge. A short, parkway-free drive to the Waterfront through Greenfield, and super easy access to 279 and 376.

Good. However, I've heard there is gang activity and drugs around the area near Frazier Park. Is any of that true? So far, the area sounds pretty safe from what you guys are telling me.