Help me decide on a house (Pittsburgh, McKeesport: move to, yard, kitchen)

[hinsey86]

Love it...enjoy!

[Tinare]

Very, very nice! Nice level yard and it looks so well maintained from the outside. Good luck with the move -- may all go smoothly!

[eschaton]

Beautiful house. I see from the pictures on Zillow aside from removing the carpet and refinishing the floors, not much needs to be done.

In general I'm not a fan of 1920s houses, but they do tend to have more of their finishes surviving than Victorians for some reason. In addition, that really is one of the better proportioned Pittsburgh houses of that period. Too many of the later foursquares tended to have wonky, ill-proportioned windows and dormers around here.

[SteelCityRising]

Since we're Facebook friends I already knew about your purchase, and I'm so happy you finally spilled the beans yourself on here because I was chomping at the bit! I'm incredibly happy for you (and for McKeesport)! That house is just lovely, and it suits your personality quite well. McKeesport has crept up on our radar as well due to the affordable housing prices. My commute to the East End wouldn't be too bad, but my partner's commute to the North Shore would be a mess, which is why we're instead shifting focus to the Allegheny River mill towns. I wish you lots of luck!

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Beautiful house. I see from the pictures on Zillow aside from removing the carpet and refinishing the floors, not much needs to be done.

In general I'm not a fan of 1920s houses, but they do tend to have more of their finishes surviving than Victorians for some reason. In addition, that really is one of the better proportioned Pittsburgh houses of that period. Too many of the later foursquares tended to have wonky, ill-proportioned windows and dormers around here.

My thoughts, too. I initially wanted Victorian, but this was about the prettiest Four Square I had ever seen (in my price range). I especially like the dormer and the window spacing, and the dark brick with tan accents. The house has an understated elegance about it that appealed to me. It is also on a great street, surrounded by other beautifully kept 1920s homes. There was a Victorian around the corner on Jenny Lind that was more to my taste, but this house was a better compromise on condition / practicality for me.

[robrobrob]

Congrats on the pending purchase. The place looks like it is in great shape.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by PreservationPioneer

My thoughts, too. I initially wanted Victorian, but this was about the prettiest Four Square I had ever seen (in my price range). I especially like the dormer and the window spacing, and the dark brick with tan accents. The house has an understated elegance about it that appealed to me. It is also on a great street, surrounded by other beautifully kept 1920s homes. There was a Victorian around the corner on Jenny Lind that was more to my taste, but this house was a better compromise on condition / practicality for me.

And it's got an attic a'nat!

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Since we're Facebook friends I already knew about your purchase, and I'm so happy you finally spilled the beans yourself on here because I was chomping at the bit! I'm incredibly happy for you (and for McKeesport)! That house is just lovely, and it suits your personality quite well. McKeesport has crept up on our radar as well due to the affordable housing prices. My commute to the East End wouldn't be too bad, but my partner's commute to the North Shore would be a mess, which is why we're instead shifting focus to the Allegheny River mill towns. I wish you lots of luck!

Thanks, Paul! Let me know what river town you decide on. I love those old towns, too. McKeesport was perfect for me because it satisfies my "decay fetish" and preservationist instinct - I have a lot of work to do to photograph all of the crumbling historic buildings and try to find a way to save them.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by PreservationPioneer

Thanks, Paul! Let me know what river town you decide on. I love those old towns, too. McKeesport was perfect for me because it satisfies my "decay fetish" and preservationist instinct - I have a lot of work to do to photograph all of the crumbling historic buildings and try to find a way to save them.

I give you credit. I grew up in the East back when McKeesport was a major city. Had its own daily newspaper, movie theaters, you name it. It has fallen on hard times.

Hope it works out for you.

[Tinare]

I've always loved Renziehausen Park in McKeesport. The rose gardens are especially beautiful and the international festival that they have there every year in August is good time.