Talk Me Into Moving To Pittsburgh (Washington, Indiana: real estate, 2014, apartments)

[Abbyoyo]

I am currently living in a small town in northern Indiana, working as a medical receptionist, and frankly, I'm bored. It's a college town, but there's nothing really going on here. I'm single (except my two cats), and I've decided that now is as good a time as any to start over. So I want to move. I've done some searches for towns that have a low cost of living, a decent food scene, good culture, GLBT friendly, younger demographic, liberal-ish leanings, and Pittsburgh, to my absolute shock, kept coming up near the top.

I've spent the last few weeks researching, reading a ton of the information out there on the benefits and downfalls of Pittsburgh, and pouring over a lot of the threads on this here forum. Since this seems like the best repository for information, I thought I'd go here.

If you were in your early 30s, looking to rent, wanting to start over in a city that wasn't going to drain your pocketbook but offered you things to do and see, would you move to where you are now? I'm from the Midwest, so I'm used to driving everywhere, though I'd like to take public transport if at all possible. I want to get involved with the theatre scene, eat some good food, drink some good drinks, and find a new home. So, can you talk to me about your city?

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Abbyoyo

So, can you talk to me about your city?

What's in it for us?

[Abbyoyo]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

What's in it for us?

Clearly I'll bring you Indiana corn and possibly bake you cookies.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Abbyoyo

Clearly I'll bring you Indiana corn and...bake you cookies.

That's the best offer we've had in a long time. Promise not to bring tornados and you've got a deal.

[RogersParkTransplant]

We moved here last year (having lived mostly in bigger cities -- Boston, Chicago, etc) and we LOVE it. I highly recommend the Northside, which has a lot of neat neighborhoods (some dodgy, but most of them honestly fantastic and safe), and it's connected to downtown and the Cultural District (ie, theatre scene) by a strong network of buses. You can actually walk there too, depending on where you live.

One impression I have, which may or may not be backed up by others on here: real estate is much better for buying than for renting. There's a big population of students, which drives up the rental prices, and there are a lot of lovely old houses being sold. You can spend $50k for a fabulous fixer-upper, or $150k for something that's just been fixed up to be flipped, and either way your mortgage will probably be less than what you'd pay in rent for something comparable -- at least, that's been our experience; again others with more experience may disagree. But my point is, if you've got a good job where you are, I'd advise saving up for a year or two and thinking about buying in Pittsburgh, because you can get some amazing deals over here.

As far as rentals go, however, this is an interesting recent news story:
Faros Residential renames Washington Plaza and Allegheny Center apartments (Video) - Pittsburgh Business Times

It'll be interesting to see how this pans out...we rented at Allegheny Center when we were house shopping, and we loved the location. Absolutely loved it: you can walk downtown and you're right by the lovely Mexican War Streets, and there's a number of buses to connect you to the rest of the city as well.

[RogersParkTransplant]

Oops -- not sure why the forum didn't let me post the link (I'm new here too!) -- but hopefully cutting and posting the URL will get you there. Or just google "Allegheny Center Apartments" and search for news.

[Abbyoyo]

Originally Posted by Hopes

That's the best offer we've had in a long time. Promise not to bring tornados and you've got a deal.

Oh lordy, no. I'm leaving the lake effect everything mess behind me. Cross my heart.

And Rogers, thank you! One thing I keep seeing is everyone talking about how much of a neighborhood town Pittsburgh is, which is what I'm worried about - finding the right one to move into. I'll put the Northside on my list.

I have seen a lot on the low housing prices. I'm just not sure I'm ready to own anything yet. I'll keep an eye out on that for a possibility as well, too, though.

[guy2073]

If you bake me cookies i will carry the heavy things in from the truck.

[Abbyoyo]

Originally Posted by guy2073

If you bake me cookies i will carry the heavy things in from the truck.

Deal. And with this offer I am officially moving and everyone is getting cookies.

[guy2073]

Now i am going to be dreaming of snickerdoodles all night