Historic Library Estates Neighborhood Munhall (Pittsburgh, West Mifflin: for sale, crime, new home)

[Nelly23]

My wife and I have been looking to buy a historic home to restore. We love the history in homes and really want an older house with character. We took a drive passed the neighborhood and it seems very nice. There's a park with a gazebo, library right there, it seems like a nice place to live Before we go in to put an offer in on this home does anyone live there? Or know solid advice about the area? Thanks in advance!

[Buckeye Burgher]

There are some beautiful old homes with great potential in the vicinity of that library. And the area around it is pretty. But walk a block or two in any direction and you're in some mighty rough territory. I would advise against it unless you are up to dealing with that sort of thing.

[Uptown kid]

Unfortunately the area of Munhall your referencing will be getting worse during the next 5 years. As of right now the area is gritty but safe, yet avoid MccLure St, 19th and 20th Avenues because they are already Homestead affiliated. The problem with Munhall from it's borough of Homestead border to the woods/Homestead Run Creek is that spill over from the Eastcide Homestead Crips & UpTown Homestead Crips has spread and developed into a major problem. Drug activity (most notably regarding heroin), gang activity, and drug/gang shootings in Homestead are rampant... Thus drug activity regarding heroin/stamped bag laced heroin garbage, is now ever present and shootings/crime have increased as a direct result in Munhall. There was even an isolated incident of drug related murder on Margetta Street that occred back in 2012 (where a well known Hill Districk Bloods gang member was murdered and the killer was never found)... Now dont be discouraged, there are currently no street gangs in Munhall, yet back in the 90's the 12th Avenue Crips was a predominantly white youth wannabe gang which claimed "Crip" so they would be cool with Homestead; while there other predominantly white crews on 17th Ave and on others streets... These days there are just drug dealers, but they're no longer predominantly white... I'd guess the crews are 55:45 black:white.

Still don't let me discourage you. This area if it is your last resort or only option is a relatively good one. This area of Munhall is affordable, (in spite of the drug dealers and addicts) there are a ton of nice hard working community oriented residents, the area is rich in historic preservation, and it has a convenient location by being near the Waterfront/8th Avenue amenities.
Just know long term this area is going down hill... As of right now its safe but very gritty. Yal must lock all doors and windows & yal must use precaution/street smarts after dark. This area is like most of Pittsburgh: by no means dangerous if your not involved with crime and dope. Near by Homestead is notably less safe although... That's why advise you let this area be a last choice IF possible... The REST of Munhall and near by Greenfield, Northern Swissvale, Braddock Hills, Whitaker, Lincoln Place, most of West Homestead, New Homestead, and West Mifflin are all better short and long term options... Plus there are neighborhoods and parts of Munhall that aren't much more expensive than the Library Area of Munhall. Still Munhall near the library is livable if need be/is not incredibly unsafe.

In fact, along with the active police & folk from the block watches, the temple/church/library/gazebo are steady deterrents of rampant criminal activity as these community outlets effectively block a criminal element from festering (no gang banger wants to claim the hang behind a library/etc).
The main areas where the criminal element fester are: (a) the row house blocks & (b) blocks of this part of Munhall which boarder Homestead/MccLure Avenue... If you aren't looking in either of these types of areas your experience will be better. Either way use street smarts and you'll be fine.

Here's my assessment map of the side of town Munhall is located in.
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=...1688d64b&msa=0

[Nelly23]

Thank you. The house we are looking to restore is by the park square and faces the new construction.

It's sad how such a nice area is surrounded by crime. What are the streets there by the library during the summer time? Is it filled with wanna be gang bangers walking around trying to intimidate people? Or does that kind of stuff stay up the hill and closer to McClure street.

Also, when driving the block I seen 2 of the new construction houses for sale along with some other home in this vicninity. Are people trying to get out of that area or is just a coincidence?

I just don't want to purchase this home and be scared to live there and have no resell value.

[Uptown kid]

It's sad how such a nice area is surrounded by crime. What are the streets there by the library during the summer time? Is it filled with wanna be gang bangers walking around trying to intimidate people? Or does that kind of stuff stay up the hill and closer to McClure street.

Also, when driving the block I seen 2 of the new construction houses for sale along with some other home in this vicninity. Are people trying to get out of that area or is just a coincidence?

I just don't want to purchase this home and be scared to live there and have no resell value.

Idk what its like during the summer time in the quiet parts, but I garuntee you on McClure, 19th, 20th (and to a lesser extent) 21st/the area's row house blocks it gets dicey. Not ghetto and dangerous, but the scene is likely no means Mayberry.

The area's not dangerous enough to scare you, though resale value IS questionable.