Young new family need HELP searching for HOME in Pittsburgh (Bethel Park: rentals, condos)

[miriam t]

Hello All,

We a young family with our first baby due this summer, and are moving to Pittsburgh by June as I am starting my residency at Allegheny general. My husband has just started looking for jobs.

We are looking for single-family houses or townhouses within 20-30 mins of the hospital and in a nice family neighborhood, with at least 3br and 2 baths, as our parents will be coming over for taking care of the baby.
The housing market in Pittsburgh seems to be soo expensive (especially when comparing to Atlanta) and at the same time a lot of older houses, limiting our options again, as we are worried about resale value of houses 4-5 yrs down the lane.

We would really appreciate your help/ suggestion regarding a couple of things:

1. What areas/ communities should we be looking at?
2. Herrs island is very close to AGH, but I have concerns regarding how its in winter and do you have floods?
3. How bad is the commute if we were to live by Mt. Lebanon or Bethel Park? Do we have to always use tunnels? How bad is driving during winter?
4. If we are looking for renting options can you please suggest good rental management to reach out to as I have not had much luck on Zillow.
5. Also, it would nice to learn more on which maternity hospitals are most rated and why?

Thank you in advance.

[SteelCityRising]

Hello Miriam, and welcome in advance to Pittsburgh!

Herr's Island (Washington's Landing) does not flood and would be a very convenient location for AGH (River Avenue will get you most of the way there and is not a busy road, as it parallels Route 28).

I would not want to commute from Mt. Lebanon to AGH daily, but I'm sure many do that commute. I'd be looking at Ross Township, Ohio Township, and maybe Reserve Township or Shaler Township as closer-in suburbs in the "North Hills" that would offer a reasonable commute to AGH, good schools, and safety. UPMC Magee Hospital in our Oakland neighborhood is the Rolls-Royce of local maternity hospitals.

[fleetiebelle]

And if you're coming from Atlanta, you need to adjust your idea of "new" housing stock. Pittsburgh isn't a new city, like what you're used to in the south--many of the available homes are going to be older, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they're run down or won't sell in a few years, especially if you're looking in the desirable North Hills suburbs.

[Knepper3]

Yes welcome, I think those are all good suggestions. Depending on what you are looking for Crafton/Greentree areas are also not a bad commute. Again not much new construction unless you get outside the city more. My Aunt was a nurse at AGH forever and recently returned, she lives over in Crafton area. Also depends on what price ranges if buying on which might be a better fit. Rentals are hard, most people I hear are getting them from craigslist or zillow or rent.com. Harder to find rentals.

[guy2073]

I think you will be better off looking in the northern suburbs, there are better people than me to give you advice on that area. I did do work in reserve township and the area was really nice.

[robrobrob]

In addition to the communities along north along 279 or 79, I also think that living along 28 will provide you with a reasonable commute.



You really need to give us a budget before we comment further.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

In addition to the communities along north along 279 or 79, I also think that living along 28 will provide you with a reasonable commute.



You really need to give us a budget before we comment further.

guessing pretty large if they are looking at herrs island.

based on this, i would recommend the new highland plan in ross and ohio township. seems to like that style

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by Paul2421

guessing pretty large if they are looking at herrs island.

based on this, i would recommend the new highland plan in ross and ohio township. seems to like that style

I never checked prices of condos on herrs island but i worked on 2 pgh steelers homes there, i am guessing it is expensive.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by guy2073

I never checked prices of condos on herrs island but i worked on 2 pgh steelers homes there, i am guessing it is expensive.

Yes. Generally $500,000+. Occasionally a home will list for $1,000,000+.

[gg]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Yes. Generally $500,000+. Occasionally a home will list for $1,000,000+.

If people only knew how CHEAP that island was when it was new construction!!!! Now? Not so much. lol