What's this city coming to? (Washington, Dormont: credit, cheap house, safe area)

[jea6321]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

That was 4+ years ago. A LOT has changed in 4+ years. Pittsburgh is revitalized trendy. The twentysomethings and others like myself don't buy houses, they rent. Southside is not "in".

Rent prices have remained very stable in southside and are actually considerably higher than lawrenceville. This should tell anyone that there are a lot of people who want to live there. New construction not being factored in here as they are pretty comparable rent wise in both areas.

not saying that there is a trend toward other areas, but 10 years ago pretty much no other neighborhoods had the type of draw that the southside had. Although the sales prices have seemed to decline a bit ( again not talking new construction) there has been no decline in people living in the area.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

The Southside would be the best place to live in the city if it wasn't Bromageddon Thursday - Saturday in my opinion. You have all the amenities everyone craves all in one walkable space. Unfortunately the appeal of living down there is tainted due to the insanity that occurs on a weekly basis.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Which can be dangerous. Look at the Southside. When I first came here the talk was all Carson, Carson, Carson. Now I don't know anyone who wants to live there. The current buzz is the Northside.

You have a really bad history of making gross stereotypes based upon very limited information. As others have said, while prices have dropped back a bit in South Side, they are still among the highest in the city, so it's not like it has had a total collapse.

Originally Posted by JimboPGH

I dunno, I've found it does come in handy when we're having a large gathering and we can direct the guys to pee in the basement, which helps keep the actual bathroom traffic from getting backed up.

Also, it's a lovely convenience when I'm in the middle of loading the washer and realize I really have to pee.

I said all but useless, not useless.

Originally Posted by Der Schwabe

Some would call it a market correction. Not unlike what L-ville will eventually experience. There is ultimately a limit to the market for these row houses and as people age or grow out of them, the market will become "heavy" with supply.

IMHO South Side houses have a few issues that Lawrenceville houses do not, at least if we're discounting the new construction.

1. South Side's housing stock was never as good. The neighborhood was about half frame rowhouses to begin with. And while there are scattered cases of semi-grand rowhouses in South Side, it's nothing like Lawrenceville were there's entire streets of larger-size houses.

2. For whatever reason, South Side is just a lot more remuddled than Lawrenceville. Not that Lawrenceville looks good compared to the North Side or anything, but on a lot of blocks in the South Side you can't find a single house with an intact facade.

3. South Side was just built more structurally dense than Lawrenceville. Probably half or more of Lawrenceville's housing stock has alley access, which means off-street parking is a possibility for many. In contrast, alleys like Larkins Way in the South Side are almost completely crammed with alley housing.

South Side's real estate prices remain higher I think for two reasons - a manifestly better business district, and more new construction, which will of course command a significant premium. But in another 20 years I'd be shocked if Lawrenceville wasn't a substantively more expensive neighborhood, since gentrification will fill in the gaps in Butler Street and result in new construction townhouses by the dozens down by the river.

Come to think of it, I wonder if South Side's market is being hurt by having new construction apartments coming on the market so much as well. You don't need to live in an old mill house with all the character ripped out of it any longer unless you really want to (or can't afford anything better) because there are choices available for nearly any budget.

[jea6321]

Originally Posted by eschaton

South Side's real estate prices remain higher I think for two reasons - a manifestly better business district, and more new construction, which will of course command a significant premium. But in another 20 years I'd be shocked if Lawrenceville wasn't a substantively more expensive neighborhood, since gentrification will fill in the gaps in Butler Street and result in new construction townhouses by the dozens down by the river.

Come to think of it, I wonder if South Side's market is being hurt by having new construction apartments coming on the market so much as well. You don't need to live in an old mill house with all the character ripped out of it any longer unless you really want to (or can't afford anything better) because there are choices available for nearly any budget.

the rental price in s side will always remain strong due to the proximity of both pitt and duquesne. Lots of students live in the houses you mention. Or lower income young adults that want to live in the area.

for sales prices I absolutely agree with you. Lawrenceville will become more expensive and I think it will pass by s side in more like 2-3 years.

[ferraris]

These high prices in Lawrenceville and elsewhere make me optimistic for the rest of the city. There'd be almost no hope for revitalization in most of the city if the few trendy areas were still at bargain basement prices.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by ForYourLungsOnly

jeebus...Larryville ain't THAT exciting.

I don't currently live in Lawrenceville...Are you kidding? I would LOVE to live in Lawerenceville! I can't bear the thought, though, that if / when I EVER buy a freaking house, it will probably be in one of the western neighborhoods. I will just not have money or desire to spend close to $200k on a rowhome, and I will never have time to buy/live/fixer up one that is cheap but in disrepair.

Yes, Lawrenceville is fun, and fully functional! I could envision a life there for 15 years or so.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

I would LOVE to live in Lawerenceville! I can't bear the thought, though, that if / when I EVER buy a freaking house, it will probably be in one of the western neighborhoods.

Western neighborhoods rock! Just attended our neighborhood Christmas party where we all commended each other on our brilliance in buying awesome houses for about half what you'd pay in the trendy eastern 'hoods. Alcohol was involved.

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by Goodjules

Western neighborhoods rock! Just attended our neighborhood Christmas party where we all commended each other on our brilliance in buying awesome houses for about half what you'd pay in the trendy eastern 'hoods. Alcohol was involved.

Friday night was a Brookline/Beechview resident party at my house and we had the exact same conversation. Although I believe it is still the truth when discussing it the next day, although a half dozen sazeracs really helped get the conversation flowing....

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

Friday night was a Brookline/Beechview resident party at my house and we had the exact same conversation. Although I believe it is still the truth when discussing it the next day, although a half dozen sazeracs really helped get the conversation flowing....

I had to google Sazerac

[Evergrey]

I had to google Brookline/Beechview.