Moving to Pittsburgh, House hunting (Munhall, Lincoln: sale, appliances, closing)

[adele1021]

I love Penn Hills but you have to know where to live in Penn Hills. I do not think people realize that PH is larger than the city of Pittsburgh. Saying Pittsburgh is bad because of the Hill District is bad but people that live in Squirrel Hill do not live in the Hill District. Because of the size of PH that is the comparison of the different areas in PH. Ask someone that lives on 4 acres of property and home value of 600 thou if PH is bad.

I basically did what Guy did but many, many yrs ago when the Steel industry went overseas. I picked up properties for less that 20 thou and are now going for over 100 thou. Sold some and kept some for rentals.

If the OP can find a good agent Penn Hills is a good bang for your buck and can get a good fixer in her price range that could get them close to their profession. Unlike other cities Pittsburgh jobs are not geared toward the city but in areas away from the city.

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by adele1021

I love Penn Hills but you have to know where to live in Penn Hills. I do not think people realize that PH is larger than the city of Pittsburgh. Saying Pittsburgh is bad because of the Hill District is bad but people that live in Squirrel Hill do not live in the Hill District. Because of the size of PH that is the comparison of the different areas in PH. Ask someone that lives on 4 acres of property and home value of 600 thou if PH is bad.

I basically did what Guy did but many, many yrs ago when the Steel industry went overseas. I picked up properties for less that 20 thou and are now going for over 100 thou. Sold some and kept some for rentals.

If the OP can find a good agent Penn Hills is a good bang for your buck and can get a good fixer in her price range that could get them close to their profession. Unlike other cities Pittsburgh jobs are not geared toward the city but in areas away from the city.

I don’t think they realize it, because it is not true. Penn Hills is 19.3 square miles while the City of Pittsburgh is 58.3 square miles.

[guy2073]

I have seen the Penn hills comment made a few times on here, but all you have to do is look at a map.

[PghYinzer]

Originally Posted by adele1021

I love Penn Hills but you have to know where to live in Penn Hills. I do not think people realize that PH is larger than the city of Pittsburgh. Saying Pittsburgh is bad because of the Hill District is bad but people that live in Squirrel Hill do not live in the Hill District. Because of the size of PH that is the comparison of the different areas in PH. Ask someone that lives on 4 acres of property and home value of 600 thou if PH is bad.

I basically did what Guy did but many, many yrs ago when the Steel industry went overseas. I picked up properties for less that 20 thou and are now going for over 100 thou. Sold some and kept some for rentals.

If the OP can find a good agent Penn Hills is a good bang for your buck and can get a good fixer in her price range that could get them close to their profession. Unlike other cities Pittsburgh jobs are not geared toward the city but in areas away from the city.

I would also like to point out that Pittsburgh’s population grows by approximately 41% during the daytime due to commuters coming in for work. It actually ranks pretty high in terms of daytime population growth.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I would also like to point out that Pittsburgh’s population grows by approximately 41% during the daytime due to commuters coming in for work. It actually ranks pretty high in terms of daytime population growth.

It's also within the top 10 downtown's in the country in terms of job concentration per square mile. IIRC, number six. So it's totally untrue to say that Pittsburgh is less geared towards jobs in the city than other metros, it's more the case here.

That said, the OP is a social worker. That isn't the sort of work which is concentrated in downtown business districts. Honestly being in one of the eastern suburbs would probably provide some of the best commute options, because it's well-located to a variety of lower-income areas.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by adele1021

I love Penn Hills but you have to know where to live in Penn Hills. I do not think people realize that PH is larger than the city of Pittsburgh. Saying Pittsburgh is bad because of the Hill District is bad but people that live in Squirrel Hill do not live in the Hill District. Because of the size of PH that is the comparison of the different areas in PH. Ask someone that lives on 4 acres of property and home value of 600 thou if PH is bad.

I basically did what Guy did but many, many yrs ago when the Steel industry went overseas. I picked up properties for less that 20 thou and are now going for over 100 thou. Sold some and kept some for rentals.

If the OP can find a good agent Penn Hills is a good bang for your buck and can get a good fixer in her price range that could get them close to their profession. Unlike other cities Pittsburgh jobs are not geared toward the city but in areas away from the city.

I work with a general contractor who specializes in higher end remodels. He recently completed a project in one of the nicer parts of Penn Hills. A basement converted into a large living area with custom built in cabinetry, gas insert fireplace with a custom wood mantle and stacked stone tile surround, wet bar with two beer/wine friges, quartz counters, custom millwork, stone tile backsplash, custom shelving and wood ceiling, recessed lighting... People don't spend that kind of money on their home if they think their neighborhood is in decline. There are nice, stable areas in Penn Hills. That said, it's not Shadyside, but don't believe those who tell you to avoid it at all costs.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by Goodjules

I work with a general contractor who specializes in higher end remodels. He recently completed a project in one of the nicer parts of Penn Hills. A basement converted into a large living area with custom built in cabinetry, gas insert fireplace with a custom wood mantle and stacked stone tile surround, wet bar with two beer/wine friges, quartz counters, custom millwork, stone tile backsplash, custom shelving and wood ceiling, recessed lighting... People don't spend that kind of money on their home if they think their neighborhood is in decline. There are nice, stable areas in Penn Hills. That said, it's not Shadyside, but don't believe those who tell you to avoid it at all costs.

People do spend that type of money on houses in declining neighborhoods, I see and do it all the time. That being said, there are nice areas of Penn hills, but with an $80,000 budget I don't know if you can get a home in one of those areas.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by guy2073

People do spend that type of money on houses in declining neighborhoods, I see and do it all the time. That being said, there are nice areas of Penn hills, but with an $80,000 budget I don't know if you can get a home in one of those areas.

I don't know much about home prices in Penn Hills. I do know a young couple who have been looking at foreclosures and short sales in the $65k range in Penn Hills. The homes are on decent streets in areas they consider safe. But as far as whether or not those neighborhoods are in decline, I don't know. I did drive by two of the houses they're considering and the other houses on their respective blocks were well maintained. It seems like you could find something decent in Penn Hills for $80k. But, you and others on the forum know the area much better than I do and would know which parts are more likely to hold their value over time.

[NH_Sweettooth]

I've been working with an agent from Berkshire Hathaway because I'm also looking for homes in that area. His name is Paul Murray and he's been a wonderful person to work with so far.

I have friends that just purchased a home in Verona last year and it's a really lovely neighborhood. Oakmont is also nice.

If you want to talk to Paul you can call 412.219.2060

He set up a search of their available properties so I can check out what they have new on the market, within my price range, and see what amenities the house comes with. You can browse through, narrow down what you want, and then he can take you out to view houses.

[guy2073]

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