Supply Of Under $25k City Properties Dwindling? (Pittsburgh, Johnstown: leases, neighborhood)

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by Caladium

So.... any thoughts on what Beechview is like as a place to live? I really do think that house on Vodeli Street has potential.

What do you want to know? As has been mentioned, Beechview is full of narrow streets and hills. It's easy to get Downtown and to the South Hills and to the airport. The business district isn't great, but people are taking chances with places like Crested Duck and Casa Rasta and Slice and Las Palmas. There's some property crime, as is expected, but I've never felt unsafe. My neighbors are nice, properties are decently-kept (there may be lawns with weeds, but they're tidy.)

[Caladium]

Is that where you live fleetiebelle? Do you like living there? It sure looks like an area that would be convenient to downtown, has a lot of possibilities for those who want to be near the action yet also in a neighborhood that's still fairly inexpensive. What sort of people live there?

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Is that where you live fleetiebelle? Do you like living there? It sure looks like an area that would be convenient to downtown, has a lot of possibilities for those who want to be near the action yet also in a neighborhood that's still fairly inexpensive. What sort of people live there?

I have read and heard that there is a strong Mexican, ok, I'm a big dumb white guy, Latino? population moving there. I believe one of the Catholic churches has a Spanish mass. Sounds good to me. I lived about 1 mile South of Beechview in Dormont about a thousand years ago. Could never understand why that area didn't take off with such quick access to Downtown.

Fleetie lives here, I would trust her opinion.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Copanut

I have read and heard that there is a strong Mexican, ok, I'm a big dumb white guy, Latino? population moving there.

Strong Mexicans are Hispanic. Weak ones are Latino.

[grep]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

Strong Mexicans are Hispanic. Weak ones are Latino.

huh?

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Copanut

I have read and heard that there is a strong Mexican, ok, I'm a big dumb white guy, Latino? population moving there. I believe one of the Catholic churches has a Spanish mass. Sounds good to me. I lived about 1 mile South of Beechview in Dormont about a thousand years ago. Could never understand why that area didn't take off with such quick access to Downtown.

Fleetie lives here, I would trust her opinion.

That's what I was thinking, too. Plus, I'll bet some of the homes there get awesome views. You kind of think with a name like Beechview, there's bound to be a few amazing views. (Although maybe not... after all Fairywood does not have fairies... )

[grep]

Re: connection to downtown: it's because downtown is a center of employment and bus lines. Although some might consider it a cultural center due to amenities like Heinz Hall / the cultural district, for most of my peers and me (20-somethings), most of the concerts, bars, bike rides, special events, interesting grocery stores, parks, etc that we like to patronize are in the East End. Proximity to the East End seems to be a huge driver for development, often moreso than access to downtown. I also would have considered neighborhoods like Beechview more seriously if the T didn't close around 1am (who wants to risk getting stuck every time they go out somewhere at night?)

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by grep

some might consider it a cultural center due to amenities like Heinz Hall / the cultural district

Downtown is where I go when I want to walk around and breathe in cigarette smoke. Bus stops are particularly fragrant.

[PreservationPioneer]

I'll take downtown over anything in the East End. Downtown actually feels like a real city.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by grep

Re: connection to downtown: it's because downtown is a center of employment and bus lines. Although some might consider it a cultural center due to amenities like Heinz Hall / the cultural district, for most of my peers and me (20-somethings), most of the concerts, bars, bike rides, special events, interesting grocery stores, parks, etc that we like to patronize are in the East End. Proximity to the East End seems to be a huge driver for development, often moreso than access to downtown. I also would have considered neighborhoods like Beechview more seriously if the T didn't close around 1am (who wants to risk getting stuck every time they go out somewhere at night?)

Very good point. Is this mostly a big issue for 20-somethings, or is proximity to the East End something that is going to continue to be important as you age into your 30s and 40s?