Job in West Mifflin, but where to live?? (Baldwin, Whitehall: rent, houses)

[uhslax32]

I have been reading all the threads about people relocating to PIttsburgh and I'm hoping for some help

My fiance just got a job in West Mifflin and we will be moving in May. We are in our mid-twenties and want to buy, not rent. We are looking to live within 30 minutes of West Mifflin and want to be mindful of taxes, community amenities, schools, and crime/quality of life. He will also be taking grad classes in the city eventually, so we want to consider that, but it's not our first priority.

We are open to any help or suggestions anyone may have. Right now we are a little overwhelmed and have heard conflicting reports about different areas, so I'm looking for some inside info.

Thanks!!!!!!1

[guylocke]

I would work in West Mifflin but wouldn't live there. That's my first piece of advice. hehe.

[Pittgal]

Look into the Pleasant Hills / Jefferson area. Very close to West Mifflin and has what you are looking for.

And yes, agreeing wiht Guylocke...I wouldn't live in WM either!

[guylocke]

Pleasant Hills / Jefferson was a great suggestion Pittgal! Even Forest Hills may not be a bad place to look, it's just a hop and a skip from West Mifflin.

[uhslax32]

Thanks so much! Even these few posts have been really helpful. I looked at Pleasant Hills before, but not Jefferson or Forest Hills. I like older homes, because they have some charm and these areas have those.

[MissShona]

What's wrong with West Mifflin? It's a huge borough (I think it's a borough) and there are some very nice areas. Plus the high school is gorgeous and the academics aren't bad (they offer a music technology program with a recording studio on site...that's pretty cool). I have quite a few friends who grew up in West Mifflin and it just seems like All-American suburbia for the most part.

Although I guess if you were upper-middle class, you would opt for a "ritzier" area

[SGT_Chip]

Originally Posted by MissShona

What's wrong with West Mifflin...

There's nothing wrong with WM. I've lived there for over 10 years and I love it. It's reasonably safe (sure you can find trouble if you look hard enough, but you can find trouble in any of the other areas mentioned). The taxes and the cost of housing is very reasonable. Where I live is 20 min from downtown (rush hour commute) and 2 miles from the Waterfront complex. The school system is good. And if you like sturdy old houses, mine was built in 1927 -- very sturdy indeed with lots of charm.

Don't sell yourself short. West Mifflin is as good as any other community in the area.

[2020eyesight]

Originally Posted by uhslax32

I have been reading all the threads about people relocating to PIttsburgh and I'm hoping for some help

My fiance just got a job in West Mifflin and we will be moving in May. We are in our mid-twenties and want to buy, not rent. We are looking to live within 30 minutes of West Mifflin and want to be mindful of taxes, community amenities, schools, and crime/quality of life. He will also be taking grad classes in the city eventually, so we want to consider that, but it's not our first priority.

We are open to any help or suggestions anyone may have. Right now we are a little overwhelmed and have heard conflicting reports about different areas, so I'm looking for some inside info.

Thanks!!!!!!1

West Mifflin provided my family a wonderful work environment for 10+ years. The surrounding communities "South Hills" are packed with wonderful people who almost all pay more taxes than they should! I sold my home in the South Hills due to taxes and inflated utilities. I highly suggest you rent for the first year or two before you decide to move into that area. Baldwin, Brentwood, and Whitehall surround the majority of West Mifflin and residents are finding it difficult unloading their homes close to market value.

[Pitman]

I do deliveries in all of the South Hills. so i have been through most every neighborhood hundreds of times. If you want the nicer area with older brick or stone homes and good schools check out Pleasant Hills or Whitehall. Brentwood or the southern half of West Mifflin could be options with less expensive housing but would be a step down in schools and area but still nice enough.

[shsh38]

I agree with Pitman that Whitehall is a nice place with less expensive homes than some other southern suburbs. Of course, Whitehall & Baldwin almost cannot be considered suburbs anymore; they've become extensions of the city. Nice neighborhoods, though. And I agree that West Mifflin itself has very nice sections. When it comes to neighborhoods, there are only a few that can be characterized as "very bad" or "very good." One is the ghetto and the other is the High Priced Spread. The rest are, for the most part, a mixed bag that needs to be investigated...a good realtor would be a boon to you. Too bad I'm not one! LOL