Working in West Mifflin, but where to live? (Homestead, Braddock: rent , housing)

[steeeeevo]

Hi all! I have been looking through this forum and have found some good info, but I have not seen my exact question answered.

I will be working in West Mifflin, and I would like to live more in the city. It will be important for me to be in a more city type area, and I hear Shadyside and Oakland would fit that. I would like to be able to walk to the store and walk to get some dinner or a drink. I don't want to be stuck in suburbia. I don't want to have to rely on a car to get everywhere. Also, I would like to live within about 20 minutes of West Mifflin.

Also, I am having trouble getting a clear statement on crime in the city. Some will say that it is bad, some will say that it is nonexistant. Just wondering if I could get a clearer picture of the crime in the areas I am looking at.

I have also been wondering about some other areas such as Homestead and Braddock. I read what this forum says on Braddock, and I am looking for some new information.

In short, I want to live in an area with some character. A fun place for a 25 year old to live that is both quiet and lively. Quite a paradox, I know.

Thanks in advance for all the help!

[targetsdad]

At 25 - South Side and Shadyside is where the action is. Both are within 20 minute drive of West Mifflin.

South Side is a little bit more urban (mostly row houses) then Shadyside, but the rent there is a little less expensive. Shadyside is probably 5 minutes closer to West Mifflin. Both have a lot of bars, resteraunts, coffee shops, shopping etc. that are easy to walk to.

South Side gets a bigger influx of the bar scene on weekends - so Shadyside would be the option that is more quiet.

Squirrel Hill would also be an option. Its the neighborhood next to Shadyside - a little more quite and a little closer to West Mifflin then Shadyside.

Oakland is mainly college age residents - so I would suggest not looking there.

Good luck.

[Geeo]

I would also second Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and South Side. All three offer a good mix of people, walkable streets, restaurants, bars, shopping, and general people-watching. I've lived in the area for 25 years, and crime has not been an issue. Just be aware of your surroundings, as you should be in any city (or suburb, these days).

[Pitman]

I would argue that South Side is closer drive to West Mifflin than Shadyside. Take Carson Street to the 885 Cloverleaf in Hays and take 885 Into WM. It's a straight shot with fast moving traffic. Shadyside is going to be more expensive with more of a yuppie, professional crowd and a smaller business district. More upscale shops and restaurants. South Side while becoming more attractive to younger professionals and having increasingly more expensive housing as of late will be cheaper to live in than Shadyside. South Side has a larger more walkable, urban business district. I would say there is more action on the weekends than Shadyside but more of a early twentysomething shot-n-beer type crowd. Can get quite busy and hard to park on Fridays and Saturdays. Squirrel Hill is nice for shops and restaurants but less of a weekend bar scene. The club scene is more in Strip District/Downtown area but not too many people actually live there. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. Heck you might like want to look at Bloomfield or Lawrenceville too.

[tyrell]

West mifflin is very boring every day is like a weekend,i would agree with the other people try shadyside or oakland