Priced out (Pittsburgh, Lebanon, Sewickley: houses, transfer, neighborhood)

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

What's your solution(s) to fix this city's horrific infrastructure, then, if not for tax increases? The money tree?

To have people like you pay their fair share would be a good start.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

To have people like you pay their fair share would be a good start.

Where did I say I was a tax evader? I said some of my income isn't taxable, and that was established via court proceedings my employer engaged within in the past on behalf of other colleagues.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

What's your solution(s) to fix this city's horrific infrastructure, then, if not for tax increases? The money tree?

There is a lot of waste in the city budget, and a lot of places where things could be trimmed.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Where did I say I was a tax evader? I said some of my income isn't taxable, and that was established via court proceedings my employer engaged within in the past on behalf of other colleagues.

I'm just jaggin ya. Your personal business is of no concern of mine.

But a little razzin' after your constant call for tax raises in this predicament is totally valid.

[ebyrnes]

Good grief. I live (a 125 lb female) in Brightwood, alone most of the time. No problems. Use some common sense, and you will find that you are safe in most parts of Pittsburgh.

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

The Northside is becoming quickly gentrified. One street is good, the next a crack den. South Hilltop and West End, no thanks. I want to be safe. That is the problem. No decent neighborhoods that are affordable.

[mountainlove]

Originally Posted by doo dah

I sincerely hope not down a hillside.

No silly, I didn't throw them down a hillside...as I'm driving across the West End Bridge I just throw them out the rear tailgate and into the river so nobody sees the trash (insert sarcastic emoticon here).

In all seriousness, people who throw out their trash in public are the worst. Have spent way too much time cleaning up after people like that in our area.

There are a few effective and economical ways to get rid of debris. As others mentioned, you can put small amounts of debris in the contractor style trash bags. Waste Management has a weight limit to the trash so you just partially fill up bags with debris like plaster. I took all of my wood lath and bundled it up and put out a curb alert to give it away on Craigslist. When all else fails, I stop by the Environmental landfill up in Reserve Township to get rid of my debris.

Happy DIY'ing everyone!

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I would say Troy Hill is both decent and affordable, although the housing stock on the market at any given time is quite limited (and what's available often needs significant work). Although they're less desirable than Troy Hill (or at least much less walkable) less walkable) you can find okay houses in Spring Hill, Spring Garden, and Fineview from time to time. And there are areas of Brighton Heights and Observatory Hill which are pretty damn affordable, although the larger house sizes in much of the neighborhood means there aren't quite as many "entry level" houses.

in the south, Beechview and Brookline still have many sub-$100K houses, and moderate (for Beechview) to low (for Brookline) crime rates. Cheap houses can be had in Overbrook, although I don't know that area as well, so I can't say anything about the desirability. In the West End, virtually every neighborhood except for Sheraden and Elliott is not a ghetto, and they're all pretty affordable, with parts of Oakwood and Westwood being pretty nice in terms of residential streets. Nothing approaching a walkable business district, of course though.

Not sure which Troy Hill you are referring to.

Teen shot to death in Troy Hill - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[steindle]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Not sure which Troy Hill you are referring to.

Teen shot to death in Troy Hill - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

One news story -- great point.

Better stay out of these areas too:
Man convicted of Shadyside murder - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Drug addict guilty in Squirrel Hill furrier's beating death - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
White supremacist admits killing girlfriend - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mt. Lebanon trio seeking new trial in killing - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

... too dangerous. I saw it in a news story with no other context.

[eschaton]

This house is a great example of why if it wasn't for family concerns, I'd look north. You can still get amazingly awesome houses for well under $200,000 in Observatory Hill and Brighton Heights.

I think I like this one even better, but it's not brand new on the MLS.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by eschaton

This house is a great example of why if it wasn't for family concerns, I'd look north. You can still get amazingly awesome houses for well under $200,000 in Observatory Hill and Brighton Heights.

I think I like this one even better, but it's not brand new on the MLS.

Both are very nice. I wish you guys would reconsider Brookline. Very safe, walkable neighborhood with a good retail area. If memory serves, it's not too far a drive to your wife's family - aren't they in the south? I hear schools are good since you'd probably not want to battle traffic to your daughter's school. Even if you did, most of her friends would live closer to the school. It's no fun having to drive a long way to get to your kid's activities, playdates, friend's birthday parties… Living near your kid's school makes a lot of sense. Just my 2 cents.