Retiring to Pittsburgh (York, Butler, Carnegie: rent, condo, neighborhoods)

[Carolgre]

I am in the process of researching areas to retire to. We currently live in New York City and the rents are getting out of sight. We currently live on Social Security and are looking for a less expensive place to settle. Unfortunately, we don't drive so are looking for a city that is walkable to such places as libraries, supermarkets, drugstores, hospitals, etc. I see that rents in Pittsburgh (we are renters, not buyers) are pretty reasonable and I think we would be looking primarily at downtown. Does anyone have any advice about retiring to Pittsburgh?

It would be greatly appreciated.

[kpoeppel]

Living in NYC on Social Security?? I didn't know that was possible!

I can understand why you want to move. I'm pretty sure that PA does not tax Social Security income, so you're in luck. Also, PA has more "senior citizens" than any other state in the U.S., other than Florida. So there are lots of other people in "the same boat" as you.

Pittsburgh has many distinct neighborhoods that are walkable with their own amenities and necessities. The only thing is, some neighborhoods are good and others are not so good. Unfortunately, I don't really know which ones are which, so I'm not the one to ask! Many others on this forum will know, however. You may want to look back through the forum and search previous threads.

Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are considered to be "trendy" and upscale, but that obviously means a higher cost of living. Still, I would think it would be cheaper than NYC. I've heard that most of the towns along the Monongahela River are run down and have higher crime. Oakland, on the east end of Pittsburgh, has a lot of college students, so there will probably be the usual loud parties, etc. I've heard it's fairly safe otherwise.

There are some smaller cities/towns along the Allegheny River northest of Pittsburgh that are low-income and cheap, yet fairly safe. Most of them also have a "downtown" of sorts with pharmacies, small grocery stores, etc.

If you wouldn't mind "small town" life in a rural area, I used to live near a small historic town called Saxonburg. It's about 20 or 30 miles north of Pittsburgh in southern Butler County. It has a quaint walkable "downtown" area with lots of small shops. There is a pretty large population of retired people there. Since you are from NYC, you might find it interesting that Saxonburg was founded by John A. Roebling, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge.

[Stagger Lee]

If you are in the city you could get good reasonable rent in squirell hill. This would be a nice little neighborhood to settle. ALso there is friendship near Oakland. There are many neighborhoods around Oakland that are nice like Bloomfield, Friendship, and areas of Point Breeze. I suggest being closer to Oakland for you because of the reasons you mentioned. Oakland is like Pittsburgh's second downtown. It actually has more then downtown with living amenities. You have grocery, pharmacies, tons of hospitals, libraries (it is where all the colleges are at), museums, etc. Like said above you wouldn't want to live there with all the college kids, but it is the livable urban area. Downtown is slowly changing to being more residential, but as of now it is only for the more rich condo buyers. Also, I hear some retires like the youthful areas around colleges. Oakland has a lot of amenities, with a lot of quiet nice neighborhoods not far from it.

[PghSuburbs]

tons of hospitals, it is where all the colleges are at

LOL

[right-here-i-say]

Not sure how it is possible to live off of social security. I assume you could benefit from the multiple programs the state has for utilities and other programs like that. Maybe I'm wrong.

[PghSuburbs]

Squirrel Hill . Pittsburgh 15217

[Carolgre]

A couple of people here have asked how we live on social security. It's a little tough but we manage. We pay $1300 a month for a 2-bedroom in Queens, New York and we eat out at least twice a week. We don't splurge on luxuries and live quite comfortably. We don't feel the need for participidate in any "programs" nor would we qualify for same because our combined income is too high. The reason I'm researching other areas is because all of New York City is being gentrified and in a few years, I'm sure our rent will be much higher than we can comfortably afford. We're also getting tired of the coldness (I'm not talking about the weather) and fast pace of New York City.

I'm intrigued about what I'm reading about the Squirrel Hill area. It sounds like it might be right for us but I'm a little worried about whether there is adequate public transportation. We wouldn't use it a lot but would probably need it to get to public libraries, theaters, etc.

[fleetiebelle]

The corner of Forbes and Murray in Squirrel Hill is practically a hub for public transportation. Busses going every which way are passing through all the time.

More information on the neighborhood is here: Pop City - Squirrel Hill

[Geeo]

Yes, public transportation is great in Squirrel Hill, with many buses going to all parts. It's a walkable, tree-lined neighborhood with theaters, book stores, retaurants, and coffee shops.

One part of north Oakland that may appeal to you is the area northeast of the University of Pittsburgh, specifically Dithridge, Bayard, and Bellefield avenues. This area, while technically in Oakland, has many high-rise buildings with lots of retirees. College students do not rent in these buildings. The side streets are quiet but only a couple blocks from the main thoroughfares, and the museums, main Carnegie Library, shopping, restaurants and coffee shops are a short walk away. Public transportation is fantastic in this area.

[Carolgre]

You have all been so helpful; I can't get over how nice everyone has been. I just have to try to talk my husband into thinking of leaving NYC. I really love what I've been reading about the Squirrel Hill area.

Another question but a very important one: is there such a thing as rent stabilizaton laws in Pittsburgh? Right now we live in a rent stablized building but are worried that if we move out of state, we would be subject to frequent arbitrary rent increases.

Also, do people actually live in Pittsburgh (specifcally Squirrel Hill) without cars? It seems to be feasible from what I've been reading, but you don't really know an area until you live there and I don't want to make a big move (and hopefully the last one) and find out later that we've made a mistake and that you're trapped in some respects not being a driver.