Homewood (Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg, Oakland: apartments, co-op, construction)

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by Elder18

but it really does disgust me that people behave like that.

To me, it's equally disgusting that a city lets an area exist like it too.

[vwscottie]

One thing I have noticed since I moved here, for the most part, it seems like the violence, shootings, murders are against "their own" instead of innocents. I know there are a few exceptions, but I think for the most part its true. My and my fiances parents were concerned when they found out how close we live to Homewood, but like I told them, there's no reason for us to drive around there at all.

I do have to say, from our windows you can look out over Homewood, and it is very tempting to take a ride through there to see what its all about. It really is an interesting view we see. I want to get a set of small binoculars to look out. Up against the hills, I can see some kind of housing complex; I have to believe it's like section 8 housing or something.

When we moved to Point Breeze, we thought about every area we could. We had looked at Highland Park, but from what we both noticed, it doesn't really look appealing/safe untill you get to near the park, and then, especially later in the day, you see characters driving in and out of there all the time. East Liberty was never considered, its disgusting.

[PApisces]

Originally Posted by Elder18

Yeah, some guy got shot in the back there last night after he was robbed by like seven people.

The archives center I work at is right between Homewood and Wilkinsburg, and I guess they used to have cars stolen out there and prostitutes around.

It's really pathetic that there are communities like that in America. You can whine about how it's society's fault and all of that crap, but it really does disgust me that people behave like that.

I absolutely agree! It's far easier for people to blame it all on society than it is to actually even attempt to fix the problem. At some point those neighborhoods will either have to admit that it's their own fault, kill each other off, or find a new neighborhood to destroy. My money is on the latter.

[barneyg]

Originally Posted by new2theNC

You've obviously not been in Garfield Heights back on Mossfield street. Driving along Penn Ave in Garfield or even the streets a block away from Penn aren't that bad, but once you get deep enough into Garfield it's basically the same as Homewood. Same with the Hill, or Larimer, or parts of Wilkinsburg. Yes, Homewood is probably the worst, but to say the other areas "arent remotely close" to being as dangerous is just flat out wrong. You mean to tell me you would drive thru Garfield Heights at night and feel safe? Or down Larimer Avenue?

Didn't they close down that whole neighborhood? They imploded the highrise there about 1 1/2 years ago, and all the other, smaller "houses" (for lack of a better word) around are now boarded up.

[Infamousnobdy]

Originally Posted by vwscottie

I do have to say, from our windows you can look out over Homewood, and it is very tempting to take a ride through there to see what its all about. It really is an interesting view we see. I want to get a set of small binoculars to look out. Up against the hills, I can see some kind of housing complex; I have to believe it's like section 8 housing or something.

That complex you are talking about, is it to the right sitting on top of like a concrete foundation. The is a public housing project up there called Homewood North or "Hilltop". OMG let me tell ya worst mistake in my life. I felt like a trapped animal surrounded by a whole bunch of children. The have 2, 3, 4 and 6 bedrooms. In a 6 bed room a family of 12 can reside there. The walkways are very small. Two people can barely walk down them side by side. Breakins occur constantly. Mostly due to the slimey and grimey people who use city and county funding for themselves and their family and not the community for which it was intended. Take for instance, on Food Bank Distibution day. The people who volunteer to run it, go through the food pick out all the mest and name brand stuff and take them or give it to their family members who doesnt even live there. The all time greatest is if they dont like you they will get the master key and steal you whole house and tell Housing Authority you moved. Take the warning: "DO NOT MOVE TO HOMEWOOD!"

I am talking about the inside perimeter of Dallas, Fifth Ave, Overland St, Hale St, Blackadore. Stay away from the inside of those streets. Not unless you like that kind of environment.

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by Infamousnobdy

That complex you are talking about, is it to the right sitting on top of like a concrete foundation. The is a public housing project up there called Homewood North or "Hilltop". OMG let me tell ya worst mistake in my life. I felt like a trapped animal surrounded by a whole bunch of children. The have 2, 3, 4 and 6 bedrooms. In a 6 bed room a family of 12 can reside there. The walkways are very small. Two people can barely walk down them side by side. Breakins occur constantly. Mostly due to the slimey and grimey people who use city and county funding for themselves and their family and not the community for which it was intended. Take for instance, on Food Bank Distibution day. The people who volunteer to run it, go through the food pick out all the mest and name brand stuff and take them or give it to their family members who doesnt even live there. The all time greatest is if they dont like you they will get the master key and steal you whole house and tell Housing Authority you moved. Take the warning: "DO NOT MOVE TO HOMEWOOD!"

I am talking about the inside perimeter of Dallas, Fifth Ave, Overland St, Hale St, Blackadore. Stay away from the inside of those streets. Not unless you like that kind of environment.

Heavens, we would never move there, just intrigued by the area. The area you are speaking about is probably what I'm seeing.

[Agbor]

Most of these shootings are drug-related...have driven thru Homewood on the way to
Penn Hills, always locked the car doors of course...did go to a big street festival there
once, but made sure I knew where the outgoing bus stop was and made sure I was gone
before dark...got invited to events in the Hill and Homewood, my rule of thumb is that
when I went there,I never took a wallet and about $6 or less in cash,if any cash at all..

[Agbor]

If I go into a bad neighborhood to an event (like church)..If I don't have a ride,I make sure when I leave that event..I time it so that when I come out the door,the bus is right
there..we took someone home to the Hill once..about 6:00am..(from bar hopping after-hours) in the summer it was packed with people at 6:00am and the barbaque pits were
lined up and smoking on th streets..I thought "This is a free show"...ho's, thugs etc..and god knows what else in the streets hanging out..hundreds at 6:00am!...

[richlady]

Originally Posted by homerjoker

look at the west village in nyc...used to be a dump, now million dollar properties.... this happens all over the place

ive said before... its all about the type of person you are.... be a good neighbor, a good person... and keep your place nice, get involved in the community... the people around you, wether they are black or blue or green etc.... are still just people.... eat,sleep,****,love... trying to survive in this unfair world......

anyway good luck, i hope you yake the plunge, and succeed beyond your expectations

Well Said Homejoker!

There are so many examples all around this country of areas where people have taken a chance, moved in with the right attitude -but a realistic attitude and they have changed the area. It may take years but it has happened. I grew up in Wilkinsburg and spent a lot of time in Homewood (I still have 1 relative living there) and there are some good people in both of these places. Yes, I guess it is the ghetto but I am a product of the ghetto and now I have a graduate degree (Dual Master's from Pitt), own my own home and business. My husband and I are looking to invest in some real estate in Wilkinsburg and/or Homewood because we can see what is going to happen down the road. Now, to be fair and honest, I no longer live in PA but I come home VERY often (4-6 times per year) because a majority of my family and friends still live here. I think that investing in these areas is a good move if you are willing to be patient and realistic. As far as living there, you would have to be cautious for sure..but there are alot of decent, hardworking families living in Homewood that, but for a lack of financial resources, have no choice but to live there. I say trust your instincts and Good Luck to you no matter what you decide.

[richlady]

Originally Posted by MissShona

Uh...no and...no

I was just thinking the same thing! And I am Black!