buying in greenfield vs. less developed north side (Pittsburgh, Manchester: fit in, renting)

[zman63]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Seriously, I have never known for Greenfield to have poverty, it's always been a strong lower-middle class area. A vibrant Irish-Catholic area.

Greenfield is becoming upper hazelwood. I expect it to worsen when hazelwood gets the big development project. Id do observatory hill or brighton heights.

[Stijl Council]

I like Observatory Hill a lot, but it wouldn't be near the top of my list for someone who'd be walking most of the time, just because there's not much of a commercial district. If she'd be at work all day then home on the bus and spending the rest of the evening at home, then OH might work.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

The more you walk the hills, the easier they get. If my church lady neighbors can climb hills in Beechview to get to Mass, I'm sure a young couple can manage to get to Hough's.

But they have to go to Mass, they don't have to go to the bar.

[Tedko]

Greenfield is an OK place to live. I have lived there for about 2.5 years now. If you are looking for vibrancy/entertainment/excitement, you are better off looking elsewhere though. It is quite a boring town full of old-timers who have lived there their entire lives. However, as someone mentioned, this is indeed changing - I have always thought of Greenfield as the poor man's Squirrel Hill, and I find this to be the case more now than ever before. Young people are slowly but surely trickling in, as a good portion are being priced out of Squirrel Hill and Shadyside. When I moved in to my apartment 2.5 years ago, it was $825/month for a pretty decent 3 bedroom. Now my landlord is asking around $1000 for equivalent apartments in the building. So yes, prices are rising and it would probably be a good investment to buy in Greenfield, as I cannot ever see it not being in demand given that it is so close to Downtown and Oakland.

Yes, there are hills, but consider it good exercise. I would not dismiss living someplace merely because of hills.

[robrobrob]

If the OP wife can't drive and they have a budget of 160K shouldn't they be looking in Brookline?

If they insist on the North Side I think Brighton Heights is nicer than either Fineview or Observatory Hill.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

But they have to go to Mass, they don't have to go to the bar.

If you're too feeble to go to mass, some nice young people will bring you the sacrament and the priest will visit. The PLCB won't deliver.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by zman63

Greenfield is becoming upper hazelwood. I expect it to worsen when hazelwood gets the big development project. Id do observatory hill or brighton heights.

This might be one of the more ridiculous comments I've read in a while. Upper Hazelwood, howso? Abandoned properties all over in Greenfield? I don't notice many. I side with the others who say Greenfield is a pretty stable, working class neighborhood.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Show me some stats, cuz I've been to Greenfield and Northside a lot lately, and in MHO, Greenfield wins.

Stats about my opinion?!?!? I like North Side better. There's your stat.

I've lived there. I like the location. The architecture is beautiful. It's very walkable.

It has great potential. It will be the next Lawrenceville.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

I side with the others who say Greenfield is a pretty stable, working class neighborhood.

It definitely is. But I like North Side better.

[PghYinzer]

Just move to Brookline...its easier. It's safe, its stable, it has a business district that is flat (once you climb a hill to get to it). We have very accessible public transportation to downtown, and you can even walk to Dormont if you are on the southern side of the Blvd. For $160k you will find a house in little or no need of renovation.