Where is the Ghetto? (Pittsburgh, Liberty: credit, foreclosure, income)

[MissShona]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

I agree with other posters when talking about ghettos in Pittsburgh/Allegheny County. In the truest sense, I do not believe that gangs have the strong presence in this area that you might see in other larger cities around the country. We do have the potential, however, in certain regions that have significant poverty, rundown housing, higher crime, and an illicit drug presence. Braddock, Wilkinsburg, Clairton, Mount Oliver and sections of the North Side are the first to come to mind.

Clairton? Do you know how far Clairton is from Pittsburgh (not mileage-wise...but driving-route-wise)? True it's not as far as Greensburg, but I've lived in Clairton for 21 years -- and no one who comes from outside of Clairton enjoys driving from here to the city. Cab fares to out here are $60; the bus takes 1 hour down Rt. 51.

I'm sorry...I just don't understand why Clairton comes up as a "bad area of Pittsburgh" because no one would find their way all the way out here anyway.

[guylocke]

I do not believe that gangs have the strong presence in this area that you might see in other larger cities around the country.

This is definitely true. Pittsburgh almost has a non-existant gang presence. I've told this story before so some of the veteran posters may recognize it but I'll tell it again because it's cute.

When Pittsburgh Mills first opened it had Lucky Strike lanes (a company out of California). If you don't remember, it was an over-priced, up-scale, adult bowling alley. My boyfriend and I visited on the first day it opened and there was a big poster outside that gave you the ground rules.

They were all normal, like "no hats" "no t-shirts" "no visible midriff" "no ripped jeans"

Fine.

But then one said something like, "no red or blue color schemes"

My boyfriend and I looked at each other and were dumbfounded, "what does this mean???"

We asked the manager and he laughed. He said, "I can't believe how many people have asked that, you folks from Pittsburgh have no concept of that phrase, meanwhile anyone in California would know exactly what it means. Trust me, your city doesn't have to worry about that one."

LOL.

We felt dumb.

[MisterB1974]

Here's the list of ghettoes in the 'Burgh:

1) Hill District (A Watered down version of Harlem)
2) Garfield
3) Larimer
4) Manchester
5) Homewood
6) Lincoln
7) Wilkinsburg (parts of it)---Not part of Pittsburgh proper
8) Braddock---'' "
9) Beltzhoover
10) Whitaker--- Not part of Pittsburgh proper

[sapling]

From my very limited experience living in Pittsburgh (1 year as a grad student):

Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are nice areas. I lived near Highland at Howe, and would feel safe walking a block or two from my car to my apartment at 2 or 3 in the morning, alone.

East Liberty is the one area I'm familiar with that has a "bad" reputation. In that, there is a lot of poverty there, which often leads to crime. This is word of mouth as I did not spend any time there.

Good luck, I was actually pleasantly surprised when I moved to Pittsburgh...

[zip95]

Originally Posted by thomasburkejr

I know someone may read this and say "that is racist!" and I agree it is. I have experienced a more pleasant, inviting experience in a white neighborhood than in a black/hispanic one.

Not to worry, here at city-data/pittsburgh we welcome and encourage racism of all kinds.

No matter how illogical or uneducated your opinion is, you'll find plenty of people to agree with you here.

[guylocke]

No matter how illogical or uneducated your opinion is, you'll find plenty of people to agree with you here.

I actually applaud his honesty. It's not truly racism. You have obviously experienced living in both a white neighborhood and a black/hispanic one.

That is how we make good decisions in life, through our experiences.

You personally have found a more pleasant and inviting experience in white neighborhoods. So I think you're very smart in pursuing an area you'll be the happiest.

Anything less would be silly, imo.

I chose to wear silver jewerly because in my experience, I get more compliments on it, I think it looks nicer on me, and it matches my skin tone better than gold. I'm not discriminating against gold, though. LOL.

[Agbor]

Basically he wants to get away from that "element"...Iam assuming the white neighborhood is middle to upper-middle class he feels most welcome in...this is
more of a class thing than race thing..It becomes a race thing when people ASSUME
ALL blacks/latinos are poor in the ghetto...and ALL white people are middle class...

poor white neighborhoods and middle-class to upper-middle class black or mixed areas are invisible and left out of the discussion...some people may dress hip-hop but
are making 4.0s in college...just because someone wants to live among his own culture
dosen't mean he or she is racist..from what I hear..Boston isn't the most open minded place either..my 2 cents..

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by sapling

East Liberty is the one area I'm familiar with that has a "bad" reputation. In that, there is a lot of poverty there, which often leads to crime. This is word of mouth as I did not spend any time there.

In my year and a few months here, as run down as East Liberty is, I would say fewer of the more violent crimes that have occured in 2007 occured in East Liberty. Thats not to say its an undesirable area. I have never seen so much trash blowing around on streets and sidewalks as I have in East Liberty. From what I'm told, East Liberty used to be a major shopping area in the city. It's obvious that it is very popular with lower income families and you can see many signs of homes boarded up, probably because of drug activity or just homes being let go to unlivable standards.

[Agbor]

I think the news media paints a picture of a neighborhood by over-reporting crime or
under-reporting crime depending on the neighborhood...I would suspect in areas where
news people live crime would be under-reported(unless by a rival station)...If you have never lived in such and such neighborhood then your perception of that neighborhood
is going to be that what is seen on the news..

As far as East Lib. I think they are trying to bring it back..Waldgreen's,Border's, Whole Foods,Trader Joes..which weren't there before..now when I go there I watch my back
in the daytime and would not take my chances at night..and thats based on the news
and heresay mostly..

To me, each neighborhood gives off a "vibe"..the worst "vibe" I get is on the Northside..by AGH and East Ohio street..for some reason,the Hill doesen't bother me..but
5th avenue behind the Civic Arena going toward Oakland is shakey though..

[annelotte]

Moving to Pittsburgh you will find that there is a lot less diversity than most of the rest of the US. There is virtually no hispanic population to speak of. The dangerous "ghetto" areas I would stay away from are parts of Oakland, Wilkinsburg, and The Hill district over by Mercy Hospital. Pittsburgh has poor areas to be sure, but for the most part they are blue-collar, not dangerous.

If you are looking for an urban area I'd go with Shady Side, Squirrel Hill, the South Side, and the North shore near the stadiums. I used to live near Greentree and it is a little more suburban than these.

I think you'll find that the best indicator is how it feels when you're actually there in the area, walking the streets. I moved south from Pittsburgh but I miss it dearly. It's a wonderful, safe city with friendly, down to earth people.