Thoughts on PGH neighborhoods (Pittsburgh, Washington: apartment complex, rentals, transfer)

[LJH76]

Hello,

I wanted to post here and get some thoughts from locals on what some of the decent neighborhoods are and which ones I'd want to avoid. I'm from suburban Philly (I know...boo and hiss, please don't throw things) and want to make a move into a city. I love Philly, but the city gov't seems to enjoy stifling new business and pandering to those who give it the Killadelphia name. So I'm thinking about Pittsburgh. I find the city to be wildly underrated (even with the "Most Livable City" press) and have enjoyed myself whenever I've been there.

Here's my deal: I'm a 36 y.o. single guy that is looking to rent. I have a bead on some jobs in the Central Business District and am looking for a relatively safe area with a reasonable commute (either public transportation or preferably walking, willing to walk up to a mile). Rent-wise I'm hoping for something in the $500-$750 range. I don't mind "gritty", I just want to avoid "ghetto".

Based on the little bit of research I've done thus far, here are some neighborhoods that have sparked some interest: Polish Hill, Bloomfield, Shadyside, the Oakland neighborhoods, Mt. Washington, Southside Flats/Slopes, Allegheny Central, Central Northside, and the Central Business District.

I'm not trying to write a novel, so I'll leave it at this for now. Thanks in advance for any helpful input.

[PreservationPioneer]

All of the neighborhoods you listed are good bets. If you want to be able to walk downtown, I think that probably rules out Shadyside or Oakland (the walk would take a long time and would not be convenient). In your rent range, you could probably find something nice on Mt. Washington and use the incline to go to work. You can get good bang for your buck on the North Side (War Streets, Allegheny West, and Deutschtown) and be walkable to downtown. Polish Hill is a good bet, but I don't know how many rentals are on the market. Also consider lower Lawrenceville, which you could probably walk or bike downtown from.

[LJH76]

Thanks angel,

The South Shore is an area I haven't explored yet save for a few bars/restaurants on Carson, does the incline from Mt. Washington lead down to a ferry that takes you into the Business District? I'm assuming this is the case.

I'll have to look into the North Side a little more. Still trying to get a read on whether War Streets is a decent neighborhood or not, but I have to say I loved PNC Park & Max's Allegheny Tavern. There seem to be a couple decent apartment complexes (Allegheny Center & School House) on the North Side, but we'll see what else is out there.

Thanks for the tip on lower Lawrenceville, I'll definitely check it out.

[BrianTH]

No ferry, but it is a short walk from the base of the Mon Incline to Downtown over the Smithfield Street Bridge.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the War Streets given what you told us. Outside of living in Downtown itself, the North Side probably provides the best walking commute to Downtown.

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

No ferry, but it is a short walk from the base of the Mon Incline to Downtown over the Smithfield Street Bridge.

It's a great walk but if there are days you don't feel like doing it, the T is right there as well as every bus coming through the transit tunnel from the south.

[ML North]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the War Streets given what you told us. Outside of living in Downtown itself, the North Side probably provides the best walking commute to Downtown.

Boom. I second this. While the walk from the War Streets to Downtown is more than a mile, it's a really easy and pleasant walk. Cut through the park, skirt around Allegheny Center, and across the bridge (Something like this).

If you don't feel like walking, bus connectivity is really good, and will likely continue to be good even if PAT goes through with the September service cuts. The train is also available, which cuts the walk down to about .7 miles.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Tinare

It's a great walk but if there are days you don't feel like doing it, the T is right there as well as every bus coming through the transit tunnel from the south.

Indeed. What would be really cool is if they extended the Downtown Free Zone to the Station Square T stop, but it is still just a transfer (on top of the incline ticket).

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by ML North

While the walk from the War Streets to Downtown is more than a mile, it's a really easy and pleasant walk.

It can be hard to explain until you live here for a while, but a walk even that long which is actually pretty much level is a rarity in Pittsburgh. And the views of Downtown as you are coming over are just amazing.

[ML North]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

It can be hard to explain until you live here for a while, but a walk even that long which is actually pretty much level is a rarity in Pittsburgh. And the views of Downtown as you are coming over are just amazing.

Yeah, it's a great walk. One of the best walks. West Park is awesome no matter the weather, and the views from Lacock on are really sweet. The only crappy part is Allegheny Center, but that part can be minimized by taking that path behind the apartment complex in the West Commons.

[eschaton]

If you're willing to bike, that extends you possibilities a bit.

Personally, I live in Central Lawrenceville, and bike to work from April-October generally. It takes me around 1/2 hour, which is about the same as the bus, but I don't have to worry about being out the door at a particular time. Once they actually finish the bike trail on our side of the river, and I don't have to cross bridges twice, it will probably be an even faster ride.

Most of the lower North Side is also good for bike commuting due to its flat nature. I can't say South Side is as good, as despite flat terrain, after you cross the 10th Street Bridge it's kinda a bad transition actually getting past the tunnel and into downtown.

I used to live in Bloomfield (or even distant Friendship), and bike to work, and it's not as ideal, as it's up a major slope. This means it's very quick to get into work in the morning, but it can be a long commute back home. Still, it's doable.