Moving to Pitt in 3 weeks (Pittsburgh, Allentown: 2014, apartment, rental market)

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by jph22

Hello all. My wife and I are moving to Pittsburgh in 3 weeks and need advice on where to live. We will be looking for a place to rent for around $800. I have heard great things about Shadyside and Squirrel Hill and that general area of town but it looks like most places there are out of our price range. Is Mt. Washington area an ok place to live? I have seen some affordable places to live in that area but have no idea what the neighborhood is like. Is there lots of crime there? Any other suggestions on where to live for a newly married young couple? My new job is downtown and would prefer to take public transportation if possible. Thanks

Mt Washington is fine, it runs the gamut from lower working class to pretty elite if you're up on Grandview.

If its a lower price, its probably a hike to the inclines and the area becomes a bit sketchier, but there is a Mt Washington bus to town and there are steps going down to South Hills Junction.

[jph22]

Thanks Spam, will inquire about the location of the rentals I am looking at. Do you or anybody else on this thread know anything about Troy Hill? It seems everyone raves about the east side of Pittsburgh but I haven't seen anything regarding the nw side.....

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by jph22

Thanks Spam, will inquire about the location of the rentals I am looking at. Do you or anybody else on this thread know anything about Troy Hill? It seems everyone raves about the east side of Pittsburgh but I haven't seen anything regarding the nw side.....

Troy Hill is a working class city neighborhood. It's run down but safe. Q-tip motha lives on Troy Hill. Send him a message for more details.

The Mexican War Streets neighborhood is also on North Side and it's really cool.

The raving of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill is similar to how everyone raves about the wealthy suburban school districts. They're nice places but obviously not everyone else can live in them.

Other interesting neighborhoods in the East End with business districts where you might find a rental in your price range could be Bloomfield, Friendship, and Lawrenceville.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by jph22

Thanks Spam, will inquire about the location of the rentals I am looking at. Do you or anybody else on this thread know anything about Troy Hill? It seems everyone raves about the east side of Pittsburgh but I haven't seen anything regarding the nw side.....

Troy Hill is certainly close to Pittsburgh, its actually pretty flat on top like a table top, mostly working class and in a state of transition. You could walk to work from up there, but you wouldn't want to walk back after a day of strenuous work. There is bus that goes up there too.

Actually, you might do better in the west in Crafton or Ingram. On the busway, its an easy public transport trip in. You'll save money on wage tax as opposed to the city(1% vs. 3% of your gross wages), and those are fairly attractive communities with a sizable number of rentals that aren't too expensive.

[jph22]

You all have been really helpful, I really appreciate all the input. Will send Q-tip motha a message, thanks for the advice Hopes. Will also check for places in Crafton and Ingram, good tip about the wage tax Spam. Again all the advice and info I can get prior to my move will help me out tremendously and I really do appreciate it.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Troy Hill is certainly close to Pittsburgh, its actually pretty flat on top like a table top, mostly working class and in a state of transition. You could walk to work from up there, but you wouldn't want to walk back after a day of strenuous work. There is bus that goes up there too.

I am always impressed with how many people I see walking up that big hill though!

[Hopes]

Check out Dormont too. I think it's a cool place. Other areas are Bellevue, Brighton Heights, Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg---all of which have a little more to offer than Troy Hill but are farther away from downtown.

[smallfox]

As someone with a similar budget, I'll warn you that in-unit laundry at that price point is somewhat difficult to find.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by smallfox

As someone with a similar budget, I'll warn you that in-unit laundry at that price point is somewhat difficult to find.

If you go with the low-rent areas and get a whole house or get a not-so-great place in a nice area, you can install your own laundry if it's not already there.

Even though this place is ugly, this is a great neighborhood and has private laundry. $675 1br.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/apa/3745955535.html

Here's a 2 bedroom in Millvale for $575 with laundry hookups.

1st Flr Apt

2 bedroom in Etna for $625 with laundry hookups.

house for rent

[ferraris]

In-unit can be tough to find, but in-building laundry isn't rare at all.