Housing crisis in Pittsburgh? Dont think so (Lebanon, Beaver Falls: house, buying)

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by jay5835

IThere's only one thing I don't like about it. Can anyone guess what it is?

The street is somewhat busy?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Isn't Mme. Eschaton an architect? Couldn't you bring her over for a stealth visit--tell her you're watering plants for someone at work, and ask her to come with? How could someone -- especially someone who purports to love houses -- not love this one?

My wife's parents live in the South Hills, and are both entering their 70s. She feels like it's a requirement our next house is at least a marginally shorter drive to them than Lawrenceville. She's marginally interested in some houses in the lower Northside (she wants to see one now actually) but she has no interest in anything in Brighton Heights or Observatory Hill.

Sadly, the only neighborhoods with similar sort of big beautiful historic houses south of the Mon are all blighted to severely declining now (e.g., Knoxville, Mount Oliver, and parts of Carrick).

Originally Posted by jay5835

There's only one thing I don't like about it. Can anyone guess what it is?

The only big flaw I see is they painted the wood trim in the living room.

[Evergrey]

I have no interest in the likes of Westwood or Lincoln Place.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by eschaton

My wife's parents live in the South Hills, and are both entering their 70s. She feels like it's a requirement our next house is at least a marginally shorter drive to them than Lawrenceville. She's marginally interested in some houses in the lower Northside (she wants to see one now actually) but she has no interest in anything in Brighton Heights or Observatory Hill.

Sadly, the only neighborhoods with similar sort of big beautiful historic houses south of the Mon are all blighted to severely declining now (e.g., Knoxville, Mount Oliver, and parts of Carrick).



The only big flaw I see is they painted the wood trim in the living room.

Forgive me, because as a newcomer, I'm still geographically challenged, but isn't Crafton not far from the South Hills? Lots of big beautiful houses here. I just posted a listing for one near me earlier in this thread. You could make a lowball offer and see what happens.

You have young kids, right? My next door neighbors just had their first baby, there's a family with five kids ranging in age from four to early teens across the street, another four year old a few doors up, and a young teen next door to me on the other side. And that's just my end of the block!

I've become a cheerleader for this town.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

I have no interest in the likes of Westwood or Lincoln Place.

You don't like this? a block away from a city park, short walk down to the shopping center and the Antney Ice Cream parlor and still just a short trip into the city.


1917 Kearns Avenue, Pittsburgh PA - Trulia

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

You don't like this? a block away from a city park, short walk down to the shopping center and the Antney Ice Cream parlor and still just a short trip into the city.


1917 Kearns Avenue, Pittsburgh PA - Trulia

OMG, I had no idea that was the name of that neighborhood! Now that I think of it, there are some banners on Noblestown Rd promoting Westwood. I live so close by. For people who prefer newer than the 1900 era housing stock that's available in Crafton, this area would be perfect. Antney's alone is reason to live there. It's plenty hilly so you can burn off the calories walking home.

[JimboPGH]

A few more places within city limits (or just outside) that appear to be in pretty good shape in the 60-90K range:

- A cape cod in Beechview that I believe is under agreement now, but HOLY HELL LOOK AT THAT KITCHEN!

- Classic little Pittsburgh house in Bellevue that looks like it could stand some kitchen work, but is otherwise lovely.

- Similar looking place in Brookline, on the Blvd, between Memorial Park the business district.

- Interesting mid-century place in shamefully under-appreciated Sugar Top.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I can't say this Spring Garden house is incredible overall, but the stairwell alone just about cancels the rest out.

Those are cool looking stairs!

I like the dream house in Brighton Heights, too. What doesn't Jay like? Hmmmm.... my guess is that plaster cupid staring down from the ceiling moulding. Can't decide if he has character or is a little creepy. But the rest of the house is so cool I would be able to handle Cupie. Or maybe put a paper bag on his head so I wouldn't see those eyes staring out at me through the dark when I get up for my pre dawn runs.

[zman63]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Looking over the real estate listings online, there are more than 500 homes priced under 100 large.

Only a few are listed in truly distressed areas like Hazelwood or Homewood Brushton, most are in regular working stiff areas which are perfectly safe like Westwood or Lincoln Place. The number goes up higher if you include neighboring, close suburban communities.

Of course, if you turn your nose up at mid-20th century architecture, areas with strip malls and Eat n Park instead of boutiques and fancy eateries attracting the young professional crowd, your pickings will be a lot slimmer.

There really isn't a housing crisis, just a shortage of properties in hot locations popularly priced and affordable for less affluent folks in the community.

If you're cool with a short drive into the city, you can drive from even the "far" areas of the city like Summer Hill or Oakwood to town in 10 minutes if you want to go a restaurant or club.

I would add to that, the areas you speak of do not have 'character' like some of the cheerleaders say on this board when they denounce other cities growing rapidly. Maybe it is just me but there are a lot of inner city neighborhoods that do not have character. Banksville, summer hill, westwood and lincoln place are some of them. In addition, most of the new housing thats built has no character just like the suburbs the cheerleaders hate.

[okaydorothy]

OMG I need to stop reading this thread ; I am so so so tempted to just buy one.