I want to buy cheap, not hopeless (Butler, McKees Rocks: for sale, rental)

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by mark2544

Hopes--the part of Forbes Ave. I was inquiring about is near Murphy Hospital.
Does that mean anything to you?

You mean Mercy Hospital.

I'm terribly tempted to tell you that it's a great area, Mark.

Seriously, it's not the place for you. That part of Forbes is right at the bottom of one of Pittsburgh's most dangerous neighborhoods. During the day, it's okay, but at night it could be very dangerous. It's an area that would be a tough call for anyone; however, given the preferences you shared, it's definitely not the area for you. You'd be miserable and probably killed eventually if you moved there.

[MaryS80]

Originally Posted by mark2544

I would like to be close to downtown. I'm looking at a place near Forbes Ave..
Your comments on that area would be appreciated. If someone would give me specific zip codes that would be great. BTW, I'm a 43 yo, single, straight male. I've got a German name, but I like Asian Ladies. I've enjoyed living in some college areas before, so that is a possibility.

15220 is the zip for where my dad got his place, its down the street from the West End Overlook. A lot of the boroughs and neighborhoods are fairly small so one ZIP code can encompass multiple places.

Another place you might want to check is the boroughs of Crafton and Ingram.

[mark2544]

Mary--Thanks, I looked on realtor.com and found a 3/1 on Crucible St. for 10,000 usd. Should I be concerned about flooding there?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by mark2544

Mary--Thanks, I looked on realtor.com and found a 3/1 on Crucible St. for 10,000 usd. Should I be concerned about flooding there?

The area is too high up for river flooding. Checking out google earth doesn't show any creeks or streams in the immediate area either. It's up on a hill so you'll most likely be safe from flooding unless there is an oversaturation in the ground and water runs downhill. However, you can run into that anywhere here. (You'll have to move the google earch picture around because I can't get it to stay at West End for you in the link.)

[MaryS80]

Originally Posted by mark2544

Mary--Thanks, I looked on realtor.com and found a 3/1 on Crucible St. for 10,000 usd. Should I be concerned about flooding there?

I'll second what Hopes said, that area is up on a hill so it would be the last place to flood. Now at 10k there may be some serious structural damage to the house. Houses up there run the gamut from condemned junkers in need of demolition, to some really nice old mansions.

[Herodotus]

I noticed that you asked about a rowhouse. You might want to try the close in boroughs of Millvale, Etna, and Sharpsburg. These three lie in a row along the north bank of the Allegheny River. They are outside of the City of Pittsburgh, but are only 10-15 minutes from Downtown, and are very urban if that is your style. These are old factory towns that are fairly gritty, but largely safe and not bad places to live. There are lot's of rowhouses here if you like the "stoop front" style of living. It may be a shock to many in our suburban oriented world, but there are some folks who do enjoy living in this type of area.

These are a few pics taken in Sharpsburg.






These are river towns, and the low areas are vulnerable to flooding, so I'd look at the higher elevations. Lawrenceville, which is across the river in the city, is full of rowhouses. It's a very large neighborhood. It's mostly white working class, but there are some problems with recent Section 8 tenants coming from razed housing projects, as well as a small but troublesome white underclass suffering from a high rate of drug addiction. The westernmost section of Lawrenceville is seeing some gentrification. Overall, it's somewhat rough, but the houses are solid but cheap. I would compare it to South Philly, or South Boston in it's overall character. Not the place for a softie, but a tough urbanite should have few problems there.

[Herodotus]

A few more pics.

Lawrenceville.








Millvale.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Herodotus

I noticed that you asked about a rowhouse. You might want to try the close in boroughs of Millvale, Etna, and Sharpsburg. These three lie in a row along the north bank of the Allegheny River. They are outside of the City of Pittsburgh, but are only 10-15 minutes from Downtown, and are very urban if that is your style. These are old factory towns that are fairly gritty, but largely safe and not bad places to live. There are lot's of rowhouses here if you like the "stoop front" style of living. It may be a shock to many in our suburban oriented world, but there are some folks who do enjoy living in this type of area.

If it weren't for the brick, this would look like a lot of San Francisco...

Brick and earthquakes don't mix....

[mark2544]

Great Pics! Any prices to go with them? This is exactly what I had in mind. I don't think i would miss the white, vinyl siding, tool sheds of suburbia one bit!
Looks like you could take a walk and find a place with an ice cold beer, also.

[Hopes]

Lawrenceville is becoming overpriced for your budget, but you might luck out if you keep looking.

As for Sharpsburg:

Here's a row house for sale in Sharpsburg for 38k: MLS ID#: 650841 - Residential Real Estate | Sharpsburg, PA 15215

Here's a hud property for sale in Sharpsburg for 15k: MLS ID#: 682223 - Residential Real Estate | Sharpsburg, PA 15215

Yes, there are bars in Sharpsburg.