Considering moving back to Pittsburgh after 18 years: recommendations? (Philadelphia, Dormont: crime, townhomes)

[Stacey113]

Hi, everyone, I am considering moving back to Pittsburgh after 18 years in Philadelphia (mostly) and NYC. I am F, in my mid-40s and would be living alone. I like a city lifestyle. Safety is important (though I am not overly squemish about crime having living in Philly all these years).

I have looked at multiple areas, prefering the following three, but there are some challenges to each-- maybe I am wrong, though:

Southside: hands down my favorite area but it may be too much of a young bar scene for me

Shadyside: Nice, but pricey

East Allegheny: Nice homes, but not sure how safe the area is, plus the business district is kind of smaller than what I am used to.

To give some more specifics:

I don't drive so accessibility to public transportation is inportant
I have a dog so an outdoor park would be great
Looking for homes in the 130-160K range, with yards
Lots of shops, galleries, restaurants, etc. would be great
I like the Vicorian townhome architecture-- prefer a smaller home

thanks for any advice you have~

[raubre]

Originally Posted by Stacey113

Hi, everyone, I am considering moving back to Pittsburgh after 18 years in Philadelphia (mostly) and NYC. I am F, in my mid-40s and would be living alone. I like a city lifestyle. Safety is important (though I am not overly squemish about crime having living in Philly all these years).

I have looked at multiple areas, prefering the following three, but there are some challenges to each-- maybe I am wrong, though:

Southside: hands down my favorite area but it may be too much of a young bar scene for me

Shadyside: Nice, but pricey

East Allegheny: Nice homes, but not sure how safe the area is, plus the business district is kind of smaller than what I am used to.

To give some more specifics:

I don't drive so accessibility to public transportation is inportant
I have a dog so an outdoor park would be great
Looking for homes in the 130-160K range, with yards
Lots of shops, galleries, restaurants, etc. would be great
I like the Vicorian townhome architecture-- prefer a smaller home

thanks for any advice you have~

East End. Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill or Regent Square.

[subdivisions]

The neighborhood you just described is Regent Square.

Originally Posted by Stacey113

I don't drive so accessibility to public transportation is inportant
I have a dog so an outdoor park would be great
Looking for homes in the 130-160K range, with yards
Lots of shops, galleries, restaurants, etc. would be great
I like the Vicorian townhome architecture-- prefer a smaller home

[BrianTH]

If you are looking for affordable townhomes with lots of walkable amenities and good public transportation, I'd add Bloomfield and Lawrenceville to your list of possibilities.

[fleetiebelle]

The East End neighborhoods sound right up your alley, but for houses with yards near public transportation, Brookline and Dormont might be options, as well.

[Stacey113]

Thanks so much!

[stburr91]

Originally Posted by raubre

East End. Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill or Regent Square.

There's not much in the 130k-160k range in those neighborhoods.

[gg]

I would look at Bloomfield.

[Stacey113]

Are there quieter residential pockets on the SouthSide, like perhaps by the Southside works. I really like all that the area has to offer, from the great restaurants and stores to the parks to the Victorian homes. It is really perfect except for the weekend bar scene. It there are quieter areas, that would be amazing.

[soniqV]

It's a bit, shall we say, more mature on that end but it's still the South Side. For your requirement of walkable shops, galleries, restaurants, public transportation, and price range all considered, it might just be your best bet. If you're not adverse to frequent step climbing you can probably get more of a yard in the slopes.