Edgewood? Swissvale? (Pittsburgh, Forest Hills, North Braddock: sales, rentals, how much)

[tmorrisn]

I've never been to that part of Edgewood/Swissvale - all I can tell you is that the parts to the west are quite nice. I've only been as far east as Westmoreland, and everything over there (between Edgewood Ave and Westmoreland) is nice. It does seem to get less nice (smaller houses, less well-cared for) as you go south toward Braddock though. I think we looked at a house on Lehigh St which was nice. We have friends that just moved to Farkas Place and that's a nice area (although judging from Braddock it seems shady).

I think it'll probably be fine, but you should check it out at night if you're concerned.

[MAGGI]

Thanks! Our apartment search still goes on and we have driven ourselves near crazy looking for a good one!! Will keep these points in mind.

[Scientist Mom]

I don't know where Milligan Way is but I have been down Smokey Wood Drive to get to our day care on Mckelvey Rd Ext a number of times and passed many apartments. It seems like it should be a nice safe area.

[rocafeller05]

Can someone explain to me where Edgewood is... as in a real estate speaking location? When I type in Edgewood, Pa it says its not available. What should I use to see Edgewood listings?
Thanks in advance

[PeterRabbit]

I think the zip code is Pittsburgh 15218. That zip also covers parts of Swissvale and Regent Square. Edgewood is next door to Wilkinsburg, Pittsburgh 15221 which might also cover a part of Edgewood.

Edgewood is the most desirable in the area so real estate agents would normally say Edgewood instead of Pittsburgh. It seems unusual that you can't find Edgewood listings. Try a site like Howard Hanna.

[rocafeller05]

Thanks PeterRabbit? Any other town suggestions that are the same distance to "downtown" with the same housing prices, good schools etc? When I search the threads it leaves one mind to spin. lol.
Thanks in advance.

[PeterRabbit]

Forest Hills (zip is Pittsburgh 15221 and maybe others) is close to and similar to Edgewood. They both have the Woodland Hills school system which is a major negative. Forest Hills is hilly. Wilkins Township is a bit farther out but near the parkway and borders Monroeville. Same bad school system but a real nice and well managed community. Prices in Churchill have been dragged down due to the same undesirable school system. You might find your best home buy here and it has a parkway entrance. It's close to Monroeville which is the major business district in the east. It's also not very far from Edgewood. Blackridge is real nice but avoid it because it is part of Wilkinsburg with maybe the worst school system in the state.

A desirable town not near there yet close to downtown is Aspinwall (Pittsburgh 15238 and maybe 15215, Sharpsburg is not the same, yet it's ok for what is is). It has the Fox Chapel school system (so does Sharpsburg I believe) which is a major positive. Yards are generally quite small. I think it is similar to Edgewood. It has a small business and restaurant area and a decent size strip mall nearby. Traffic isn't as bad on that side of the river and you can be downtown or at the stadiums in ten minutes sans rush hour traffic. Cheswick would be another consideration with same good school system.

Why don't you say what you're looking for specifically since you don't seem very familiar with the area?

[rocafeller05]

Fair enough Peter rabbit... Here is what Im looking for...excellant schools, a neighborhood where kids play in the streets without worry, a drive to center city in 35 mins. or less or a train ride up to 45 mins. A 1/3 acre of ground min. and want to keep the cost at $275,000 tops. What would be your top 5 picks?
Thanks for your input and help.

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

Forest Hills (zip is Pittsburgh 15221 and maybe others) is close to and similar to Edgewood. They both have the Woodland Hills school system which is a major negative. Forest Hills is hilly. Wilkins Township is a bit farther out but near the parkway and borders Monroeville. Same bad school system but a real nice and well managed community. Prices in Churchill have been dragged down due to the same undesirable school system. You might find your best home buy here and it has a parkway entrance. It's close to Monroeville which is the major business district in the east. It's also not very far from Edgewood. Blackridge is real nice but avoid it because it is part of Wilkinsburg with maybe the worst school system in the state.

A desirable town not near there yet close to downtown is Aspinwall (Pittsburgh 15238 and maybe 15215, Sharpsburg is not the same, yet it's ok for what is is). It has the Fox Chapel school system (so does Sharpsburg I believe) which is a major positive. Yards are generally quite small. I think it is similar to Edgewood. It has a small business and restaurant area and a decent size strip mall nearby. Traffic isn't as bad on that side of the river and you can be downtown or at the stadiums in ten minutes sans rush hour traffic. Cheswick would be another consideration with same good school system.

Why don't you say what you're looking for specifically since you don't seem very familiar with the area?

[Pam_rvl]

BrianTH has been a great resource as I've put my move to PGH into motion. I was in town last weekend and nearly offered on a beautiful home in Regent Square, but choked when the agent calculated what my taxes could be if I were reassessed! Yup, I was looking in Wilkinsburg. Since I plan to stay put for about 30 years this time, the likelihood of being reassessed at some point is a given. I would have paid more in taxes than I do in Montgomery Co, MD for a house worth $100K less! No thanks, Wilkinsburg. So this weekend I'm looking at alternatives. But I do love Regent Square.

[tmorrisn]

Yeah, it's easy to fall into the Wilkinsburg trap b/c there are some nice houses in the part that borders Regent Square.
For the OP - I would suggest looking further north or south as opposed to the east end. I think there was a thread with great schools. I'm childless so I don't know much about the schools.
I would suggest something up 279 (North Hills, Wexford) or up 28 (maybe Shaler or O'Hara) or maybe in the South Hills (Mt. Lebanon)?