Oakland area-Children's Hospital? (Pittsburgh, Shaler Township, White Oak: chapel, homes, neighborhood)

[tonyahunting]

I am a respiratory therapist and I have applied at the childrens hospital in oakland. I am coming from california so I do not know the area.(but have heard bad things) I have two young kids. I would like to live close to work, not that it is certain i will get the job or anything!!! But here's hopin'! I just want to know if the surrounding area is nice, safe, good schools(elementary). Or would somewhere further away be a better idea and just deal with the commute? thanks

[Pghtebbie]

Well, first off you should know that Children's is moving to the Lawrenceville neighborhood in 2008 (or 2009, I forget); so living in Oakland would be pointless. Besides that fact that almost no one lives in Oakland besides college students!

I would suggest commuting- they will be charging for parking, but if you do it offsite it will only be $20-$50/ month (at last they told us; I work in a Children's building). if you wish to park onsite it will be over $120/month.

[Katiana]

Oakland is not unsafe, it is just a haven for college students. I would go with a more family-oriented neighborhood. I don't live in Pittsburgh any more, so I don't know what to recommend; I'm sure someone will chime in. Good luck with the job!

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by tonyahunting

I am a respiratory therapist and I have applied at the childrens hospital in oakland. I am coming from california so I do not know the area.(but have heard bad things) I have two young kids. I would like to live close to work, not that it is certain i will get the job or anything!!! But here's hopin'! I just want to know if the surrounding area is nice, safe, good schools(elementary). Or would somewhere further away be a better idea and just deal with the commute? thanks

As someone else stated, the hospital will be moving, but for now, that area of Oakland isn't really even inhabited by students. As you get closer to Craft Avenue you will pass some streets on the right, which I have no idea what they are called, but they are on very steep hills and the homes are very run down. The only area where I think you would be happy in Oakland is near the border of Shaydside and Oakland.

[pfh24]

Thing about the schools for your children - city of Pittsburgh schools are among the worst in the area. There are numerous good public schools just outside of the city. Most young families that are not obliged to live within the city - to work for city government one must live within its borders - choose to live in the suburbs. Lawrenceville is not far from Shaler (average), Fox Chapel (above average) public school districts, just across the Allegheny River.

[jess28]

Sewickley
Ben Avon
Moon Township
Wexford

[callmetricia]

Originally Posted by tonyahunting

I am a respiratory therapist and I have applied at the childrens hospital in oakland. I am coming from california so I do not know the area.(but have heard bad things) I have two young kids. I would like to live close to work, not that it is certain i will get the job or anything!!! But here's hopin'! I just want to know if the surrounding area is nice, safe, good schools(elementary). Or would somewhere further away be a better idea and just deal with the commute? thanks

First, Oakland is NOT the place to live when you have kids. Its def for college students. i would suggest you move to Shadyside around Walnut or Squireel Hill. it all depends on your price range. under no circumstances are you to ever move to Duquesne or Homestead. They are horrible with ven worse schools. There are good parts of East Liberty but they are located closer to Shadyside and have the best schools. The biggest tip is unless your going to live a bit further our like Mc Keesport, White Oak take your kids to private school.

Check out CLA

[Geeo]

I know many families that send their children to excellent public elementary schools that feed into Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill, which is rated one of the best in the state. The fallacy that all Pittsburgh public schools are rotten is inaccurate.

[Mr. Mon]

Originally Posted by jess28

Sewickley
Ben Avon
Moon Township
Wexford

All nice places, especially the first two, but why would someone want to commute by car to Lawrenceville from the other side of the county every day?

Most public elementary schools in Regent Square, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, etc. are considered decent to good schools. Even if you live in a good neighborhood, like Morningside or Stanton Heights for example, that happens to pull to a school with a not so great reputation, there is always the city magnet program or parochial schools. If you feel that the suburbs a re a must, both Ross and Shaler Townships are much closer then then those listen above.

[right-here-i-say]

The minute you would see Oakland is the minute you would say "I'm not living there."