Safe neighborhood(s) in Pittsburgh? (Dormont, Bellevue: credit, apartment, income)

[jenga66]

My fiancee' and I are searching for an apartment in Pittsburgh. She doesn't want to live in the college area because of all the frats and parties and what not, and I don't want to live in any type of low income housing because I own thousands of dollars in music/recording equipment that I don't want to get stolen. Basically, I want to know where we can live without having to worry about getting ransacked and/or killed. Another issue are ghosts. I'm extremely paranoid about moving into a space inhabited by any paranormal activity. Will a landlord inform me of a case such as this? Is there any way I could find out ahead of time?

Ideally, we want to spend $500-$600 (I suppose we can go to $700 if it's really worth it) a month for a one bedroom, but if we can we want to try to get two rooms.

[la_torquemada]

First, overall, Pittsburgh is a very safe city. There is very little random crime here, so as long as you're not hanging out with unsavory types, you have little to worry about in almost any city neighborhood. Squirrell Hill is by far the nicest city neighborhood, though you're looking at closer to $625 up there. Other possibilities for city neighborhoods include Friendship, Bloomfield, South Side, Greenfield, Point Breeze, Regent Square, parts of Lawrenceville. Avoid rentals on the North Side (unsafe) or Oakland (college). Nice near suburbs (still less than 30 mins to downtown) include Brookline, Dormont, and Bellevue.

[CaptainObvious]

Originally Posted by la_torquemada

Squirrell Hill is by far the nicest city neighborhood

Not only is this false, in my opinion, but it serves no purpose at all. One cannot make a blanket statement about what is the "nicest neighborhood". Especially "by far". Squirrell Hill is "by far" nicer than Shadyside and Regent Square? I don't think so. Anyhoo, for us to make a sound recommendation, you'd have to give us more of what you like and dislike--what is important to you?/ There are too many safe areas with rent of around $600 a month to begin to list. What else are you looking for in a neighborhood?

Cap

[prototypepariah]

well it's crime rate in the hill is lower than both of those area's captain, although I think those 3 area's are comparable in safety, style of living etc etc.... but given that this guy is worried about having to call the ghostbusters I'm gonna just say that no area is safe and the ghosts of the war of potamic are EVERYWHERE!!! also there is a rabid infestation of pacman games rife with ghosts.

[jenga66]

but given that this guy is worried about having to call the ghostbusters I'm gonna just say that no area is safe and the ghosts of the war of potamic are EVERYWHERE!!! also there is a rabid infestation of pacman games rife with ghosts.

I suppose I could be somewhat flexible regarding that issue, but I'd preferably like to steer clear of that. My fiancee' works in Robinson, and I'm from California so I have no idea at all what to expect. I spent some time in Squirrel Hill in the city near the water but not enough time I don't think to get a solid idea. It was nice and everything, but my fiancee' says it's pricey. I'm not going to be picky about amenities like on site laundry or anything, I just want to make sure that when I find a job I can make it home alive every night since I won't be driving that soon. Ideally, we want to be in the city but not smack dab in the middle of it.

[Hopes]

What about Greentree or Rosslyn Farms?

Previously mentioend Brookline and Dormont are also situated between Robinson and downtown.

[SteelersFan09]

Maybe check out Moon and Sewickley too. I've been living here for only a few weeks,but everything seems super laid-back and everyone is very friendly everywhere I go. Plus,you can get to the city in less than 15 minutes,but still is outside enough to where you can have a suburban lifestyle too. Kind of the best of both worlds.

[Katiana]

I'm not going to be picky about amenities like on site laundry or anything,

I hate to sound sexist or anything, but these might be important to your finacee if she is doing the laundry. Any of the neighborhoods the others have mentioned are safe. Heck, Oakland is safe! You might find a nice block w/o a lot of undergrads, esp. a little farther from the university. When I went there, during the administration of Abraham Lincoln, the frat houses were all near each other; I would imagine it's the same today. At any rate, you'll know a frat house when you see it. It will have Greek letters on the front where the house number should be.

[CaptainObvious]

Originally Posted by SteelersFan09

Maybe check out Moon and Sewickley too. I've been living here for only a few weeks,but everything seems super laid-back and everyone is very friendly everywhere I go. Plus,you can get to the city in less than 15 minutes,but still is outside enough to where you can have a suburban lifestyle too. Kind of the best of both worlds.

I'd love to know the route that gets you from Moon to Downtown in less than 15 minutes. Its 45 at rush via backroads through the Rocks or down 65, an hour if you mess with Greentree Hill, 20 maybe at 3am via the Parkway if you are the only car on the road.

Having said that, I second the Roslyn Farms Area, and parts of Crafton are much nicer than it gets credit for too.

Cap

[mister brewski]

Originally Posted by CaptainObvious

I'd love to know the route that gets you from Moon to Downtown in less than 15 minutes. Its 45 at rush via backroads through the Rocks or down 65, an hour if you mess with Greentree Hill, 20 maybe at 3am via the Parkway if you are the only car on the road.

Having said that, I second the Roslyn Farms Area, and parts of Crafton are much nicer than it gets credit for too.

Cap

Not at rush hour, but just about any other time Moon to downtown in 15 minutes is quite doable.