New start in Mckeesport?? (Pittsburgh, Carnegie: crime, house, neighborhoods)

[meloman3]

Good afternoon everyone, I'm from brooklyn, NY and in the process of moving to Pittsburgh. I wanted to start in McKeesport due low housing price and hoping to invest in a property. Ive read some threads on the area and some are good and bad, the house I'm choosing to stay at is on Manor ave (a block from the Little theater) and wanted to know how is that part of McKeesport? Prices in NY are getting ridiculous and its time to get out. Any info would be great and Thanks.

[guy2073]

I think that is a better area in McKeesport,they are building a new school down the street. Preservation pioneer would have a better understanding of that area if you can message him. I had worked in that area alot but that was a few years ago.

[meloman3]

Thanks Guy2073, I'll pm him now

[PreservationPioneer]

Hi there! I live in McKeesport and love my city. I would be glad to show you around when you visit. McKeesport has a lot of problems and Pittsburghers tend to look down on the city. It is a depressed place, and we have crime problems and many vacant homes, however we have awesome property development opportunities at rock bottom prices, many city amenities, and gorgeous historic homes and buildings. McKeesport isn't for the faint of heart, but if you are interested in rolling up your sleeves and working to improve a fascinating historic river city, do plan a visit. There is much to explore. Some neighborhoods are stable. The house you are considering is in the Library District, which is one of McKeesport's better neighborhoods. Before you make a decision, let me show you around. I volunteer with the McKeesport Preservation Society, and we are trying to find new owners for several Victorian mansions that are endangered by long term abandonment and neglect. 559 Shaw and 610 Shaw (once Millionaire's Row) are currently available. 559 Shaw is a turn of the century brick mansion with solid bones that will need complete renovation. The asking price is only $8,700. There are many more.

[Uptown kid]

One thing to know about the Library District is that yes it's a safe, quiet, stable community oriented area; however, it's surrounded by other 7th Ward neighborhoods that are notably not so nice... Carnegie St & the corresponding blocks of Library & Manor are fine. But once you cross Union Ave your in a different reality. Lee St/ Library St/ Manor Ave @ Beech Street/ Union Ave is not the area to frequent after dark alone. The Libary District is surrounded by McKee City Blood gangs which are active on Bailie Avenue (including the near by 1400blk) & in "UpTown" (across Versaillies Ave in 6th Ward). Most people who live there probably don't fear crime too much, but if your seriously looking into the property in question then I hope you have streets smarts... Perhaps drive around Versailles, Union, Flagger, Coursin, Centenial, Beech & Bailie during a warm evening to get a vibe of near by 7th Ward. Living around that area would quickly teach you street smarts if you didn't have them already.

I would move there without hesitation if I had to live in McKeesport... I'm just saying don't be surprised if there's a homicide at the other end of the street or two streets over.

[Uptown kid]

But if your from Brooklyn perhaps City neighborhoods like Uptown aka the Bluff, South Oakland, Bloomfield, Polish Hill, Lower Hill, Greenfield or Duetschtown would appeal to you more than an area in the Mon Valley.

[meloman3]

Thanks for replies