Thinking of Pittsburgh relocation (Lebanon, Washington: apartments, rentals, crime)

[npauthor]

As a recent retiree, I am considering relocation to Pittsburgh, having heard and read about its superior quality of life. I would appreciate information regarding the most desirable (clean, safe, quiet), yet affordable neighborhoods for apartment rentals within the city limits or very close-in suburbs, far enough away from student-dominated areas. Having grown up in NYC, snow, cold and, yes even the rain, do not scare me, though it has been more than twenty years since I actually lived through a "real" winter. Criteria are proximity to shopping and other frequently-necessary services, near reliable public transit. Prefer older, well-maintained buildings (no high-rises). Price range: approx. $600-900/mo. for a studio or one-bedroom apt., though am somewhat flexible. I am very progressive, physically active (hiking, running, birding), follow a green, vegan and animal-friendly lifestyle. Please advise if locating such a place is feasible these days. Would Pittsburgh be a good fit? Any additional information about living in the Pittsburgh is also welcome.

Ron in Oakland, CA

[Augie6]

Ron, others on this board are tremendously helpful about giving specific advice on loactions to look for living. The most up and comming progessive areas are located on Pittsburgh's "EAST END" ... One vague word of caution, Pittsburgh has its fair share of colleges and students tend to be spread out around the city. I would hate for you rule out an area or apartment because students live in the vaciinity.

However, in the last 10 years Pittsburgh's "progessive scene" "modern" scene has really took flight. Restaurants, Shops, Arts have REALLY taken this city over..

Have you ever visited PGH? or Just Read?

[SteelCityRising]

The East End of the city proper will most likely fit the majority of your criteria. Specifically the neighborhoods of Shadyside, Regent Square, Bloomfield, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, Friendship, Highland Park, and Lawrenceville embody what you seek. You can find some bargain-priced apartments in Polish Hill, Greenfield, and the "improving" parts of East Liberty if you want to be near all of the East End's amenities but not necessarily immersed within them.

Squirrel Hill has a very walkable business district lining Murray Avenue and Forbes Avenue with a full-service Giant Eagle grocery store, numerous restaurants of varying cuisines (Italian, Indian, Thai, Chinese, and more), some bars, a gluten-free bakery, banks, gift shops, two Starbuck's locations, a few independent coffeeshops, a small movie theater, a library, yoga studios, yogurt places, a Rite-Aid, the Jewish Community Center, and much more. You also are in very close proximity to both Frick and Schenley Parks. The onramps/offramps to I-376 are located at the "foot" of Murray Avenue.

Regent Square has a tiny (yet functional) business district along South Braddock Avenue with a small independent theater, bars, a few restaurants, and some other professional businesses. The onramps/offramps to I-376 are located at the "foot" of South Braddock Avenue. You are within walkable proximity to Frick Park, and the East End Food Co-Op is nearby. Edgewood Town Center, a strip mall, is just across the highway ramps and has some other conveniences.

Shadyside probably most fits the bill for what you seek, but it is likely also the most expensive neighborhood for renting in the city. You will be walking distance to a new Target, Home Depot, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and dozens of other businesses spread across three distinctive business districts---Walnut Street between South Aiken and South Negley (which also includes some businesses around the corner and across from the "T" intersection at South Aiken and Walnut); South Highland Avenue between Elwood Street and the East Busway (although this business district has now expanded across the busway and into East Liberty); and Ellsworth Avenue between Summerlea Street and Spahr Street. You're near to Mellon Park, which is a much smaller park than Frick or Schenley. My partner, who lives on Alder Street, is within an easy walk of two Ethopian restaurants, wine bars, Starbuck's, a very nice liquor store, furniture/home decor stores, gay bars, two French restaurants, laundromats, professional offices, banks, and much more. Shadyside probably has a median age in the late-20s through early-30s in the part of the neighborhood east of South Aiken Avenue. West of that line you get into the "old money" parts of the neighborhood with some grandiose old mansions.

Friendship is a tiny, close-knit neighborhood between Bloomfield, East Liberty (a transitional yet improving neighborhood), and Garfield (a transitional yet improving neighborhood). You can walk to Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield, Penn Avenue in Garfield, or to East Liberty with ease from Friendship, and there's a few small parks to enjoy---Baum Grove and Friendship Park. This neighborhood is a stone's throw from Shadyside at a much more attractive price point due to its proximity to Garfield. Member jay5835 lives in Friendship, if I'm not mistaken, and can probably elaborate further.

Lawrenceville is an emerging "artsy" neighborhood noted for its old rowhomes and eclectic feel. The primary commerical artery is Butler Street, and here you'll find coffeehouses, art galleries, restaurants, bars, banks, and other conveniences. There's a full-service grocery store in the upper part of the neighborhood.

Highland Park is home to the city's namesake park, which also contains the zoo and aquarium. It sits a bit further removed from the "action", if more quiet is what you'd prefer, but it does have a few businesses in and around its emerging Bryant Street business district. Generally speaking the blocks closest to the park are more desirable than the ones in the southern part of the neighborhood bordering East Liberty, but East Liberty is bound to make a turnaround since it is facing pressures from stable and improving neighborhoods on all sides. I've noticed more children and younger families here than in Shadyside or Friendship (and a comparable amount to Squirrel Hill).

[I_Like_Spam]

A lot can be said for Aspinwall for someone with your needs and requirements.

Its a neat, orderly kind of community, with plenty of bus service to various locations. They are supposed to be working on a riverfront recreation facility there, although its very close to Highland Park- a major city park.

Further, as an oldtimer, you may be interested in the major medical center- UPMC St. Margaret's- over there as well.

I don't think that many students at all are over that way.

[LIRefugee]

I will echo what everyone else has said.

I live in the eastern part of Shadyside (moved here only recently) and enjoy being within walking distance of three neighborhood shopping districts, not including East Liberty (which, as mentioned by others, is a formerly downtrodden area improving bit by bit), plus three different grocery stores and a Target. The only downside is that the price range might be a little high if you want a nice, well-maintained place. You really can't go wrong with the other neighborhoods already mentioned, but each are different enough from each other flavor-wise that you might want to come out to see what they are like for yourself prior to picking a place.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Augie6

Have you ever visited PGH? or Just Read?

Originally Posted by LIRefugee

You really can't go wrong with the other neighborhoods already mentioned, but each are different enough from each other flavor-wise that you might want to come out to see what they are like for yourself prior to picking a place.

^ +1

You really need to come to Pittsburgh yourself for an extended weekend sometime and try to immerse yourself within various neighborhoods and inner suburbs to see what floats your boat. Aspinwall was another good suggestion I forgot, but rentals tend to be somewhat scarce (and expensive) due to the location within the prized Fox Chapel Area School District.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

^ +1
Aspinwall was another good suggestion I forgot, but rentals tend to be somewhat scarce (and expensive) due to the location within the prized Fox Chapel Area School District.

You previously mentioned the Docks Apartments positively over that way, that's not Aspinwall proper I don't think- but still in the greater Aspinwall area.

Do you think that they are inexpensive enough for the op?

[npauthor]

Thanks to everyone for their very helpful replies. Just curious as to what is considered expensive for the various neighborhoods mentioned. Conversely, which (if any) would fit with my price range of $600-900 for a studio or one-bedroom apt? I have visited Pittsburgh twice before, both times very briefly but did like what I saw. Stayed in a downtown hotel and visited, among other places, Mexican War Streets, took the Incline, took a peek inside Heinz Hall. I pay a little over $1000/mo. for an average size one-bedroom in a not well maintained 1920 era building. The apt is drafty in the winter and often have to got outside to warm up. The upside is that the immediate neighborhood is one of the more desirable for Oakland (semi-yuppie) with many amenities (restaurants, coffee houses, movie theatre, bus lines, post office, etc., etc.) and yet crime is never out of sight. Simply put, one of the motivating factors in considering relocation is finding a decent place to live while not paying through the nose for the "privilege."

[ferrarisnowday]

I echo the recommendation of Friendship. It's not too student heavy (though there will be a few...mostly grad students), it's full of old victorians that have been converted to apartments, and you can walk to the places that SteelCityRising mentioned, but also to Walnut Street in Shadyside - one of the most upscale business districts in the city. You'll have absolutely no problem with your budget, and you could max out and go for the most beautiful apartments with all the perks, or decide to save some money and rent below budget. I rented near Friendship Park for less than $500/month for a 1 bedroom. You'll also be decently served by public transit.

A word of advice, much of "Friendship" (including Friendship Park) is technically in Bloomfield, so you'll want to look for ads there, as well. A tiny sliver just east of Negley Ave. is technically in East Liberty, though it's not as likely that they would advertise that fact - but I wouldn't hesitate to rent there.

EDIT: I just saw that you've visited the Mexican War Streets before. This is where I currently live, and I like it a lot. I pay $575 for a very well preserved 1 bedroom apartment in a building from the 19th century and even have a back porch. Public transit is a little more of a pain than in the East End, but is still usable if needed. Another plus is that you can walk to downtown and the stadiums. The biggest downsides are the relative lack of shopping and nightlife (aside from the casino and a few bars)...there is a good deal of restaurants though! There's also a lot fewer students, but you'll still find a few (mostly grad students again...myself included).

[alleghenyangel]

There are other nice areas of the city (and suburban areas) besides the East End:

North: Mexican War Streets, Deutschtown, Allegheny West, Brighton Heights, West View, Bellevue, Millvale/ Etna / Sharpsburg, Spring Hill, Troy Hill, etc.

West: Crafton, Ingram, Windgap, West End Village, Sewickley, etc.

South: Brentwood, Mt. Washington, South Side, Lincoln Place, Brookline, Beechview, Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, etc.