A couple of upcoming Pitt grads looking for a neighborhood to call their own!

[velcro21]

I mentioned Greentree/Beechview as the commute through the Ft. Pitt Tunnel is not bad at all from Banksville Rd. or just going down the hill. Once you get through the tunnel, it is a wide open drive to Monroeville. As someone else mentioned, what I was thinking when I mentioned Southside, was more of the South Side Works area. Much less crazy in terms of the bar scene stuff. Mt. Washington would be a good option for you although it can be pricey if you are in the nicer areas.
Don't completely discount parts of the South Hills. I live in Whitehall and commute to Wilkinsburg each morning--just a few minutes from Monroeville. My commute is 25 minutes and I don't go through any tunnels.
I used to commute to a job in Robinson from Mt. Lebanon in 25 minutes. You just have to be in the right areas and take some time to explore all of the back roads and alternate routes.

[subdivisions]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

I live in Beechview, and while it does have an older population, there are also a lot of younger people and professionals moving in. There's a lot of potential in the neighborhood, and I really think it's going to take off, but it won't unless people move in and help it grow. It's also where many Hispanic immigrants to the city moved. Any questions, let me know.

Sorry, didn't mean to insult your neighborhood. It just wasn't for us. I did see a lot of potential there, though, and certainly the prices are right for young couples!

[BrianTH]

I'm thinking Squirrel Hill is looking like the best bet. As others noted, it has a sizeable grad (and some undergrad) student population as a result of its proximity to Pitt and CMU and the convenient bus routes to Oakland. So Squirrel Hill really is not just a young family place (although it is also that), while at the same time not being so college-dominated as Oakland. And it basically fits all the original requirments as well.

Shadyside and Regent Square would be equally good except from a commuting perspective (Shadyside because it takes a bit longer to get to the Parkway, and Regent Square because it is on the wrong side of the Squirrel Hill tunnel). So if I were you, I'd look in all those areas, with a preference for Squirrel Hill but being open to something in Shadyside or Regent Square if it looked really great.

[fleetiebelle]

Sorry, didn't mean to insult your neighborhood. It just wasn't for us.

Oh, no worries. Just trying to give a well-rounded perspective and all that.

And as far as commuting goes, I go up and over Mt. Washington rather than get in the Ft Pitt/Liberty Tubes mess. It might not be a shorter route, but at least you stay moving.