Avalon or Bellevue Good Neighborhoods with pubic transportation? (Pittsburgh, Dormont: apartments, hotels)

[tramg]

We are looking for a small home or apartment close to the city of Pittsburgh that is safe and affordable, without that "city" feeling - preferably within 30 minute travel time. Children are grown, so we do not need to worry about the surrounding schools.

I have read about Avalon and Bellevue - seems there are no tunnels to go through and it would be a straight shot into the city. We both drive, but at times might want to take public transportation. Anyone familiar with these areas? Have visited Pittsburgh several times and have stayed in hotels mostly south, like Coraopolis and Dormont areas.

Anyone have any experience with the Avalon area or can you recommend another neighborhood that would fit our needs? Would really appreciate your thoughts! Thanks!

[guy2073]

I am never a fan of avalon because of the air quality, it is still a nice area. There was a mention here about swisshelm park. It is the other side of town, but still nice. Also anywhere along the t line castle shannon, bethel park, mt lebanon has alot of apartments.

[villageidiot1]

Just curious what pubic areas you're trying to get to?

Have visited Pittsburgh several times and have stayed in hotels mostly south,
like Coraopolis and Dormont areas.

Are you sure you stayed in a hotel in Dormont? I can't remember any in the past 35 years unless you're referring to the two on Banksville Road, especially the old Redwood Inn at the bottom of Potomac.

[ferraris]

Avalon is a little more suburban feeling than Bellevue. Bellevue is technically a suburb, but it's actually quite walkable -- it may even be too urban for your tastes; have you ever visited Bellevue? Also you should know that Bellevue is a dry town, which is a deal breaker for some people.

Public transit from both of those areas is only going to get you through the North Side of Pittsburgh and to Downtown Pittsburgh unless you transfer to another route downtown. I'd expect about 30 to 40 minutes travel time depending where you lived exactly.

You might want to check out Brighton Heights, which is the city neighborhood right next to Bellevue. It's less urban than Bellevue and you get more house for your buck since it feeds to Pittsburgh Public. Brighton Heights has three bus routes and it would be about 20 to 30 minutes to get to Downtown by bus; 10 minutes by car.

[tramg]

Thanks for your reply and suggestions! Just one question - you mentioned the air quality in Avalon... can you please be more specific? Thanks!

[tramg]

Thanks for your response! The public areas I would visit via public transportation would be places like PNC Park and downtown - that's why I was asking about the buses and the T. What areas around the city would be best to live in as far as easy access to PNC Park and downtown? Thanks!

[grep]

GASP sues Neville Island coke plant over air pollution concerns | TribLIVE

Right across the river

[Buckeye Burgher]

Originally Posted by ferraris

You might want to check out Brighton Heights, which is the city neighborhood right next to Bellevue. It's less urban than Bellevue and you get more house for your buck since it feeds to Pittsburgh Public. Brighton Heights has three bus routes and it would be about 20 to 30 minutes to get to Downtown by bus; 10 minutes by car.

I've had family members who lived in Brighton Heights and worked downtown. All were quite happy
with the arrangement up until the time their kids progressed out of the lower grades.

On 9-11-01 when downtown traffic was a snarled mess one of them even walked home.
It was doable.

[guy2073]

I have posted before about the air in avalon, my step son lived there, his asthma was very bad. Once he moved with me to the south hills no problemds in 7 years. The dr at childrens said that area is real bad

[tramg]

Thanks so much for your reply - it was very helpful! I have not visited Bellevue - thanks for the suggestion to do so... no problem for me that it is a dry town, so not a deal breaker. The reason I was thinking of these areas is because there are no tunnels to go through to get to the city - hope I am right! It seems to me that traffic to the east of the Squirrel tunnel is crazy going into the city (it's always backed up) and we have come into the city from the south and traffic is backed up terribly, especially around rush hour.