Where In The Burgh For $80k?

[XRiteMA98]

Actually we'll be in OP's shoes in about a year: empty nesters, looking to downsize because in about 7 years we're going to retire (back to Europe, to Mediterranean ). SO I am curious what you'll end up buying. Please keep us update, will you?

For us I'm thinking we could buy an appt to live in for the next 7 years, sell everything else and keep just what we take back to EU. But we have a year to think about how to downsize and I am sure that we'll have disagreements () at which point I'll open up a topic here

[Sideblinded]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Another thought. What about Swissvale?

The Regent Square portion is too expensive, and the portion south of Church and S Braddock is nearly as Sketchy as Rankin. But the remainder is safe and affordable, and has decent access to both the highway and the East Busway. There's some nice foursquares you can get at a cheap price.

I thought about Swissvale too. The OP was looking for a decent walkability factor. I can't think of shops or anything that would be an easy walk from that neighborhood.

[groar]

Originally Posted by Sideblinded

I thought about Swissvale too. The OP was looking for a decent walkability factor. I can't think of shops or anything that would be an easy walk from that neighborhood.

edgewood town center?

the swissvale business district is a little spread out on either side of the tracks but there are 2 convenience stores, a hardware store, thrift store, post office, a bunch of restaurants and other stuff.

[stburr91]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Another thought. What about Swissvale?

The Regent Square portion is too expensive, and the portion south of Church and S Braddock is nearly as Sketchy as Rankin. But the remainder is safe and affordable, and has decent access to both the highway and the East Busway. There's some nice foursquares you can get at a cheap price.

Statically, crime is trending downward in Swissvale, with most of the crime is happening near the Rankin border. Most of Swissvale is pretty safe, and has less property crime that all of the desirable East End neighborhoods.

Swissvale has a pretty good housing stock, and there are still affordable options. The section near Swisshelm Park, is probably the best place to buy in Swissvale right now. The prices are still reasonable, and demand (as well as prices) will almost certainly be picking up in the next 5-10 years.

These places could be pretty nice with a little updating.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/73...11345761_zpid/

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/73...11344581_zpid/

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/17...11344575_zpid/

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/17...11344572_zpid/

Originally Posted by Sideblinded

I thought about Swissvale too. The OP was looking for a decent walkability factor. I can't think of shops or anything that would be an easy walk from that neighborhood.

A good bit of Swissvale is very walkable (85 walk score). I think people tend of overlook that fact because the shopping isn't upscale, like in Squirrel Hill, or Regent Square.

[Sideblinded]

I never thought of Edgewood Mall as walkable because of the busy street. I am sure people do walk there. I always found that strip mall to be kind of sterile. I am not familiar with all of Swissvale, just a few streets I use as a short cut.

ETA: Do they count hills in the walkability score?

[Clint.]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

My point is that you will have far more options in nieghborhoods that aren't mentioned daily in this forum. Perhaps Bellvue, Etna or Sharpsburg would work. 80,000 buys a lot of house in Penn Hills if you can deal with the burbs. My point is that 80,000 isn't that much so you really have to consider some "new" neighborhoods.

Cities Median sales price

Dravosburg............$54,900 - not really anywhere to walk, but nice suburban community
McKeesport...........$64,750
Glassport..............$38,500
West Homestead....$29,700
Homestead............$82,000
Munhall.................$52,000 - rarely mentioned. I haven't been there in 15 years, but nice and fairly suburban IIRC. The SD may turn off some people, but that's not an issue here.
Verona..................$70,509 - close to Oakmont

I think you've discovered by now that the safer neighborhoods with a little suburban feel and some walkable areas actually in the City of Pittsburgh, like maybe Morningside, Banksville (although, there seem to be a lot of rentals there, and it seems a little more expensive than 80k), Brookline, the south side of Overbrook, etc., or nearby, like, Dormont, and you've identified them. The South Hills areas would be closer to you, since you're in the North Side, if that is a factor. Best of luck finding a specific house once you've settled on a few acceptable neighborhoods! (finding a "10" house in a "10" neighborhood would be nice, but you may have to make a measured choice depending on your time frame).

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by Clint.

Cities Median sales price

Dravosburg............$54,900 - not really anywhere to walk, but nice suburban community
McKeesport...........$64,750
Glassport..............$38,500
West Homestead....$29,700
Homestead............$82,000
Munhall.................$52,000 - rarely mentioned. I haven't been there in 15 years, but nice and fairly suburban IIRC. The SD may turn off some people, but that's not an issue here.
Verona..................$70,509 - close to Oakmont

I think you've discovered by now that the safer neighborhoods with a little suburban feel and some walkable areas actually in the City of Pittsburgh, like maybe Morningside, Banksville (although, there seem to be a lot of rentals there, and it seems a little more expensive than 80k), Brookline, the south side of Overbrook, etc., or nearby, like, Dormont, and you've identified them. The South Hills areas would be closer to you, since you're in the North Side, if that is a factor. Best of luck finding a specific house once you've settled on a few acceptable neighborhoods! (finding a "10" house in a "10" neighborhood would be nice, but you may have to make a measured choice depending on your time frame).

Munhall actually has a pretty nice business district. Much nicer than Morningside which really doesn't have much of a business district. If you want to look for a home in Munhall make sure it is up by the business district and not down by the borough building which is a fairly rough area.

[HarryRSpooner]

In many ways I see it becoming a toss up between Brookline and Millvale with Oakmont being a good runner up. Granted, from what I can tell Oakmont is clearly a better place (given the criteria being discussed in this threat) with Brookline followed by Millvale.

Swissvale I have heard mixed reviews. Perhaps, it's been cleaning itself up the last few years.

[XRiteMA98]

Hey Jay, if you still consider Mt Lebanon I saw two houses for sale by owner on Cedar blvd close to Mt Lebanon High school yesterday. They are 3 bd around 1300 sq ft, 1 car garage. The signs are new. I drive there all the time. They should be a bit over 100-125k on the bus route close to the recreation center. If the asking price is more you should tell them that similar houses in size sold for less in the area. Actually you can do you homework on any area you want to buy by looking at the recently sold properties on realtor.com.

Drive by and take the phone nbs if you are interested. Good luck.

[Mspyder]

Why be unkind? They have a right to be specific about what they want. A golfer should understand that.