Having a "REAL" hard time finding an area to live (Pittsburgh: 2015, new home)

[Copanut]

Try Bradford Woods.

[szug-bot]

You might have seen the busier areas of the city. There ARE neighborhoods where parking is not really an issue, but they aren't totally visible (compared to Lawrenceville, etc). What comes to mind is Westwood. That neighborhood is in the city, so to avoid taxes (one of your concerns), closeby Crafton Borough also might be an option.

Westwood I like very much. There are amenities within a short walk and/or drive. The housing stock is what I prefer - mid-century ranch style (not popular with some people, but OK). I've looked for a home there for a while, so I do know there are many very tidy, well-kept streets (if that is an indication of the neighbors).


Crafton Borough is a mix - "character" homes, but houses of all shapes and sizes. I doubt on this board there has been one dissenting voice about Crafton. (Do not confuse Crafton with Crafton Heights, a nearby city neighborhood).

Both these neighborhoods come alive in the warmer months with festivals, street presence, and so on.

I think you might look in that area. Where is your job located? From Crafton and Westwood to the more central areas of the City is not a bad bus ride or commute.

No offense, but you said you are open-minded (EVERYONE says that, meaning they agree to the status quo), and adaptable. From your post, it sounds like you are a little wary of change. It's understood - as much as I need a change (ie NO MORE RENTING FROM @#$%), I have been reluctant to buy a house. So, you've come to the right place for opinions! But BE open-minded! No place is perfect at a first impression.

Good luck! We hope your family likes it here.

[galvestonlindy]

Let me know what you find. We are in the same situation with a 10 and 7 year old. Moving from Houston Texas where the housing market is attractive.

[okaydorothy]

Try South Fayette schools ; Bridgeville, McDonald and Oakdale. You should definitely be able to get something in your price range either new or old in those areas. Schools are really great.

[bradjl2009]

Maybe you shouldn't even move here. It soundds like all you're going to do is complain about this area.

[eschaton]

One thing to keep in mind for the Pittsburgh area is since the economy sucked from roughly 1980 to a few years ago, there's relatively little new construction suburbia. I mean, it exists of course (mostly in areas like Cranberry, Peters, South Fayette, etc) but with a roughly static metro-wide population it more snatched away the upper-middle class from the first ring suburbs than anything. Normal middle-class people had plentiful affordable housing options in dated (mid-century or earlier) neighborhoods, and liked it just fine.

My own tastes run more towards historic than contemporary, and I couldn't care less about big yards or off-street parking. Still, if I go onto zillow, look for 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths with over 4,000 square feet of yard between $300K-$400K built after 1979, I see nearly 200 in the region. I find it hard to believe you can't find a single one which would meet your needs.

I do agree in terms of aesthetics Upper Saint Clair leaves a lot to be desired though. It's really marketed almost entirely on the strength of its school district (which is routinely the top performer in the region), which means it doesn't need to have the charm that somewhere like Mount Lebanon or Sewickley have to warrant high prices.

[ebyrnes]

How about Bellevue? Lovely old homes, decent schools, cute and functional business district, close to the city.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Maybe you shouldn't even move here. It soundds like all you're going to do is complain about this area.

Kind of what I was thinking. If you can work at home, why make it here.

[safak]

Originally Posted by eschaton

One thing to keep in mind for the Pittsburgh area is since the economy sucked from roughly 1980 to a few years ago, there's relatively little new construction suburbia.

I really only know the east suburbs well. We are the forgotten, unimportant direction from the city.
And there is a boatload of newer contstruction Norwin, Franklin, Hempfield, and Penn Trafford so i can only assume the more popular suburbs are the same way if not more.

[DoubleStraps]

Maybe try Sewickley? Ben Avon?