Oakmont Question (Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, New Kensington: work, homes, crime)

[PApisces]

Can anybody tell me if 5th avenue and Lee street in Oakmont is a good area or is it too close to bad neighborhoods?

Thank you!

1127 5th St, Oakmont, PA 15139, USA - Google Maps

[guylocke]

I dated someone for a while who lived on Wade Ln, which as you can see, is only a bit north of 5th ave in that area. His neighborhood was as safe as can be, but it does tend to get a bit rougher the further down you go.

[pesach]

Originally Posted by boylocke

I dated someone for a while who lived on Wade Ln, which as you can see, is only a bit north of 5th ave in that area. His neighborhood was as safe as can be, but it does tend to get a bit rougher the further down you go.

Oakmont is listed as one of the lowest crime area's by zip code 15139.

I am not sure what you mean by "but it does tend to get a bit rougher the further down you go".

Google Earth by entering 15139 for a good look at the entire community.


Oakmont Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce

[guylocke]

I am not sure what you mean by "but it does tend to get a bit rougher the further down you go".

heh, ok I'll explain. There is a stigma in Oakmont and even other town like New Kensington as well. If you live "above the train tracks" you have money and will live in a nicer, safer area. If you live "below the train tracks" you are the opposite. The area's below the train tracks (although I'm SURE there are exceptions), tend to be a lot rougher than those above the train tracks. If I'm not mistaken, that home you linked is below them, that's why I gave the warning. All you can do is go check it out! Might be more than fine!

And below would mean closer to the river, above would be close in-land. And if you weren't sure, there are train tracks that run thru Oakmont. :P Obviously.

[pesach]

Originally Posted by boylocke

heh, ok I'll explain. There is a stigma in Oakmont and even other town like New Kensington as well. If you live "above the train tracks" you have money and will live in a nicer, safer area. If you live "below the train tracks" you are the opposite. The area's below the train tracks (although I'm SURE there are exceptions), tend to be a lot rougher than those above the train tracks. If I'm not mistaken, that home you linked is below them, that's why I gave the warning. All you can do is go check it out! Might be more than fine!

And below would mean closer to the river, above would be close in-land. And if you weren't sure, there are train tracks that run thru Oakmont. :P Obviously.

I lived below the tracks for 10 years and never a problem. "The wrong side of the tracks" era ended long ago.

As for New Kensington, it lost most of it's industry and the young people move away to find work, just like 10,000 other towns in the United States.

Serious crime {felony's} are far more rare then most community's in the city of Pittsburgh.

[guylocke]

"The wrong side of the tracks" era ended long ago.

Somehow I doubt that, I am only 22 and I am well aware of such stigma and so are many other young people I know, many oh whom take it very much to heart. On the other hand, I could care less and aren't sure about the truth of it all.

[Smoker]

Don't believe a thing boylocke tells you.

I've lived in Oakmont for the past 19 years. There are no "bad" or "rough" areas like boylocke is telling you. There are no "stigmas" attached to the town as mentioned other than it's a great place to live. It's a small town with 4 police cars patrolling all the time. They know everyone who lives here and follow strangers. You will be living only a couple blocks from homes that cost $500,000 up and you are also a couple blocks above the tracks, but living below the tracks here is just as safe as anywhere else in town. This town doesn't have any problems other than people in this forum making up lies about it when they have no idea what they're talking about.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by Smoker

Don't believe a thing boylocke tells you.

I've lived in Oakmont for the past 19 years. There are no "bad" or "rough" areas like boylocke is telling you. There are no "stigmas" attached to the town as mentioned other than it's a great place to live. It's a small town with 4 police cars patrolling all the time. They know everyone who lives here and follow strangers. You will be living only a couple blocks from homes that cost $500,000 up and you are also a couple blocks above the tracks, but living below the tracks here is just as safe as anywhere else in town. This town doesn't have any problems other than people in this forum making up lies about it when they have no idea what they're talking about.

Unless of course you get carjacked

Penn Hills teens charged in carjacking - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[MLN2603]

That can happen in any area... it has nothing to do with the town or the people who live there... it is outsiders coming into the neighborhood!

Oakmont is a very nice area... ALL areas of the town!!!

[Stillsurfin]

I lived in Oakmont years ago and the small minded thoughts that continue the false asumption that one is "less" in some way if they live below the tracks and "more" if they live above the tracks still makes me smile. By the way I lived "above" the tracks and was always amazed at when trouble occured the people "above" the tracks just had more money to cover it up. It isn't where you live, it's who you are. I have lived on the West Coast for many years now and I have to say Oakmont is still the best, no matter what part.