bi-racial family wants to live in Pittsburgh (Philadelphia, York: mortgage, relocation)

[MountainLovin' Mom]

My husband works for Immigration. We currently live in San Diego and I have been begging him to move us out of here for years. He is black... I'm white... we have 2 great boys, 13 and 11. We live in a predominately white upper middle class community, and my kids have lots of nice friends here.

Now job opportunities are opening up all over the country for my husband (I'm a teacher). I have spent hours researching different cities in various parts of the country, and I have found Pittsburgh to be at the top of the list. It appears this city just might be the BEST place for us to make our home. We are looking for GREAT schools, reasonable cost of living (the mortgage here is killing us...), lots of sports and a decent climate.

Could someone please recommend a neighborhood that might be a good fit? I've looked at property on realtor.com, but I'm not sure which areas to look at, stay away from, etc.

I have a high school friend who lives in Glenshaw (we grew up in Texas). It would be nice to live near her if that will work. BTW, we'd like a large lot... maybe even 2-5 acres if possible. We have 4 dogs and love to be outside.

So... what do you all think?? Could Pittsburgh be right for us??

THANKS in advance for your time!

[MissShona]

I am [fully...for the respect of local definitions] Black and I only have direct personal experiences with a few "very upper-class" areas of Pittsburgh (Upper Saint Clair, Shadyside {some circles}, and parts of Moon Township specifically). However in my experience, the upper-classes of Pittsburgh have limited contact with Black people and other minorities (Asians are the exception). But I personally do not consider overt racism to be a problem. However general ignorance is. But then again, that's in many pockets of the Western Pennsylvania psyche...not just the upper-class segments.

Not that I am ashamed of where I come from at all. I prefer the genuine, naive attitudes in this area to the two-faced racism of New England; the stereotypes and double-standards of New York, Miami & L.A. or the racial clannishness of the South. However, I tell people who are new or unfamiliar to Pittsburgh -- if you are into that "people-of-color" bonding, it will be hard to find here. It's better than it was 20 years ago; but still, from a standpoint of getting organized and coming together...minorities in Pittsburgh lag behind other metro areas.

I'm glad to see you are thinking about coming here though. It is great to see more of an influx of diversity into the region for sure!

[MountainLovin' Mom]

Thanks, MissShona!
I am very excited about the possibility of making Pittsburgh our new home. I've spent hours researching the area as well as others all over the country. Would you recommend the neighborhoods you mentioned for my family? Are there any others you could recommend? Remember we have two tween boys who will be finishing middle and entering high school. Great schools are at the top of our priority list!

Thanks again!

[Pghtebbie]

You may have trouble finding that much land in the direct suburban areas of Pgh. But I may be wrong (and am sure someone will be along soon to correct me if I am ) You may have to go out at least a half to an hour outside city limits. I am thinking Westmoreland County, Butler co, etc.

Another thing you may want to consider is your job. I am not a teacher, but from being on the board a while, it is the general consensus that teaching jobs are in VERY short supply around here. But, way out in the boonies it may not be as bad. On that note however, with your cost of living here, compared to San Diego, you may not even have to work!

GL in your search, and welcome to the Burgh!

Edited to add: alright, did my own search on realtor.com, and yes, houses do exist in the area with that much land. Mostly in Fox Chapel (great area, GREAT school district) but you are going to pay for it. Those prices may seem like a steal coming from San Diego, but they are considered high for this area. But Fox Chapel is considered THE neighborhood for the upper crust. Others were in Upper St Clair, another upper crust area. There were only a few listings under $500,000. If that is below your budget, you are good to go!

2nd edit- but please note those upper crust areas are 93% white, the other 4% being Asian. As are the school districts. Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania (PA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news Just food for thought...

[Mr. Mon]

First off, I'd like to thank MsShona for the very honest assessment of race relations in Pittsburgh.

Now as to the original question, your best chances for what you're looking for, close to Glenshaw, would likely be in either Shaler, or perhaps Fox Chapel. Another possibility could be in one of the Ohio Valley Towns such as Ben Avon, Avalon, or Sewickley, are all very nice and have at least a few African-American residents.

[m4mica]

Let's see, you live in a upper middle class community, you're a teacher, school district is important, you'd like acreage and the outdoors. You didn't say where you thought your husband would work, certainly not much demand for immigration in Pittsburgh

Honestly, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but Glenshaw is not exactly the garden spot of the region. I would suggest Cranberry area, or areas around it (Seven Fields, Mars, Zelienople). Relative to Pittsburgh I would consider them middle or upper-middle class communities. From Cranberry you could reach a ton of school districts depending on where you get a job. Seven Fields is really dense and there are no multi-acre lots there, but a little further north (Zelienople), east (Mars), northeast (Saxonburg / S. Butler) you can easily find homes on acreage.

All of them have above average school districts.

Be careful about 'decent climate'. Pittsburgh is NOT San Diego or Texas. My view of the seasons are:
summer is beautiful (lots of county and state parks nearby);
fall is nice (Steelers, quick drive to pumpkin patches, Steelers, hayrides, Steelers, etc.);
WinterPart1 - means white christmas and playoff football
WinterPart2 - once football season is over it's a long, dreary month or two until...
Spring - the first year I lived here i swear it rained every single day for 2 straight months in the spring

Best of luck.

Oh yeah, saw your tag was 'Mountain Lovin Mom'. Pittsburgh is probably the hilliest city you'll ever see, other than San Francisco. Seriously.

[MountainLovin' Mom]

Thanks, all of you... this is really helpful info. I understand what you mean about Immigration in Pittsburgh, but seriously they are opening offices all over the country now, hiring Immigration Enforcement Agents and Deportation Officers. My husband is a senior IEA and is qualified to apply for either position. There are openings in Allenwood, Leesport, York, Dingmans Ferry, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and White Deer... and that's just in PA!

I have to share with you that I am terrified about moving out of CA. I have known many people and read many posts from people who have moved away only to regret it and either move back or wish they could. I've never felt like this was home, but now that my kids are growing up here... I just don't want to make a move that will be a detriment to my children and their future. I only have them for a few more years. Does that make sense??

Anyway... I REALLY appreciate you guys taking the time to respond to my request. You're all A-OK in my book ... ! Maybe we'll be neighbors someday!

One more thing ... it appears that Pittsburgh offers excellent schools. The schools here... uhh... not so good AND teachers are being laid off right and left these days! A good education for my kids is at the top of the priority list... so if it's rainy/nasty weather... well, that's a small price to pay. I've got to do all I can to be sure my kids are in the best schools possible. Even if it means giving up some sunshine... what do you all think of that!!?? (I'm sure it's obvious that I'm really struggling with this decision, but after all, it IS in God's hands... my husband DOES have to get the job first anyway!! If he doesn't get picked, we don't move... end of story!)

Thanks for listening (reading),
Confused in Cali

[gameguy56]

Originally Posted by MountainLovin' Mom

One more thing ... it appears that Pittsburgh offers excellent schools. The schools here... uhh... not so good AND teachers are being laid off right and left these days! A good education for my kids is at the top of the priority list... so if it's rainy/nasty weather... well, that's a small price to pay. I've got to do all I can to be sure my kids are in the best schools possible. Even if it means giving up some sunshine... what do you all think of that!!?? (I'm sure it's obvious that I'm really struggling with this decision, but after all, it IS in God's hands... my husband DOES have to get the job first anyway!! If he doesn't get picked, we don't move... end of story!)

Thanks for listening (reading),
Confused in Cali

The city schools aren't very good (with the exception of Allderdice), but there are many truly excellent schools in the area. PA has one of the highest average teacher salaries in the nation, so we attract some of the best candidates from around the country.

America's Top Public High Schools | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com Type 'PA' into the search box and click search.

Schools from that list in the Pittsburgh area include Allderdice, Mount Lebanon, Fox Chapel, Peters Township, Hampton, and Quaker Valley. Some of the best school districts in the nation.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by MissShona

I am [fully...for the respect of local definitions] Black and I only have direct personal experiences with a few "very upper-class" areas of Pittsburgh (Upper Saint Clair, Shadyside {some circles}, and parts of Moon Township specifically). However in my experience, the upper-classes of Pittsburgh have limited contact with Black people and other minorities (Asians are the exception). But I personally do not consider overt racism to be a problem. However general ignorance is. But then again, that's in many pockets of the Western Pennsylvania psyche...not just the upper-class segments.

Racism doesn't work like this at all. It may appear like that if you're looking at it from the bottom up, but that's not really what's going on.

As a general rule of thumb, racism will decrease as income increases. This is because people with money tend to be smarter and/or better educated. At a minimum, these accomplished people have come into contact with the upper echelons of black culture (at least in college). It takes a certain level of stupidity to not understand the difference between Dr. Watkins and Cousin Pookie from round-the-way.

The truth is that the accomplished want nothing to do with ghetto people having ghetto accents and ghetto culture. They also want nothing to do with uneducated red necks who say younz. I promise you that if you can pull down a quarter million a year you won't have many problems in any upper-class community anywhere.

However, lower-middle to upper-middle class communities are a different story. Here exposure is the usual determining factor, with diverse communites tending to be more accepting.

[Windwalker]

San Diego to Pittsburgh, huh? You might need a passport!

All the schools listed above are good ones. As a teacher, you'll have a hard time breaking into the club here. Many moving in don't get a full-time job for years.

I'd also recommend the creative and performing arts high school in the city for both Jr. and Sr. high kids if your kids are creative at all. (Rogers/CAPA) They'll have to audition or provide a portfolio of work in order to get in and you'll have to live in the city limits, but it's a great school. Classes are small with artists teaching master classes. And academics are accelerated because students have 2-3 hrs. in their art major each day. Friendship/Shady Side/Squirrel Hill/Highland Park are great areas in the City. The city pays for city bus passes for high school CAPA students to take to school, and my teens have enjoyed going all over the city with their friends, attending lectures, going to restaurants with their friends, seeing art, etc. The east end of Pittsburgh has been a great place for my teens.

There are lots of interracial couples here. The problems between races are economic classism as much as anything else. Part of that is a historical problem. Not to say racism doesn't exist! It does among some, but other poster nailed it wiht regard to class.

Our housing prices are ridiculously low, but our real estate and school taxes are added onto mortgage payment. Our taxes are 40% of our mortgage payment each month--just so you aren't surprised by that.

Hope things work out for you!