North Hills vs. South Hills (Pittsburgh, Penn Hills: mortgage, credit, lender)

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

Steelters115,

Don't take this the wrong way, but you are a typical Pittsburgher! I know so many people that rarely venture outside of their neighborhoods. Oh, they may even work downtown, but God forbid they cross a river or go over a bridge. I know, I was like that until I started working with a company that sends me all over the 5 county area.

As to the OP, I've lived in both the North and the South over the years and liked both.

If you looking for a great education and more of a urban feel, I would go for Mt.Lebanon. Had a great time living there, get a good bang for your buck when it comes to taxes. If you work downtown 9-5 the T is the only way to go. Plus, depending on where you live you are within walking distance to some good restaurants and bars. Dormont was fun too, back when the South Hills Theater was open I saw some great concerts. However, if your job calls for you to DRIVE downtown, I'd look at the North, the traffic is nuts.

Currently living in that diverse area known as McCandless where we have a wide variety of white people. Again, a good school system and while I wish the taxes were lower, this area is well maintained.

I think your real estate dollar will go farther in the North, it's more suburban in nature, but the lots are generally bigger than what you'll find in the South.

My two cents.

Double secret probation....

Anyhow -- I've been to a lot more places than I know of, but I tend to think it's all Pittsburgh. I've been to Shadyside, my sainted Aunt who got me into genealogy lived on Mt Washington, a friend lived in Canonsburg for some time, I spent some time at Pitt *just visiting* (I went to PSU) hubby was from Beaver and we used to head into town that way (that's West?), Greentree....

But I never thought of them as anything but Pittsburgh, I guess. With my lousy directional understanding (I pretty much always know where I am, but try to explain a compass and east west north south concepts and it makes me cry -- but I rarely get lost and can point exactly where other places are)

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Double secret probation....

Anyhow -- I've been to a lot more places than I know of, but I tend to think it's all Pittsburgh. I've been to Shadyside, my sainted Aunt who got me into genealogy lived on Mt Washington, a friend lived in Canonsburg for some time, I spent some time at Pitt *just visiting* (I went to PSU) hubby was from Beaver and we used to head into town that way (that's West?), Greentree....

But I never thought of them as anything but Pittsburgh, I guess. With my lousy directional understanding (I pretty much always know where I am, but try to explain a compass and east west north south concepts and it makes me cry -- but I rarely get lost and can point exactly where other places are)

Well, you've been around! Like every city, Pittsburgh has its people who've never ventured very far. I often get a blank stare from people out here in CO who say they are from Pittsburgh when I say me, too, from Beaver Falls. Of course, until I was a visitng nurse on the South Side, I didn't know much about the south area.

Yes, Beaver is west. North-west, to be exact.

[jcsinpgh]

Heh. I grew up in Pittsburgh, was gone for about 10 years (NJ and CA), and then moved back, and I knew I'd really assimilated back into the Pittsburgh mindset when a waitress in Aspinwall asked me "So, are you from around here?" and I said "Oh, no... I live in Squirrel Hill." That's what, all of ten minutes away?

To give my thoughts on the original question, the southern suburbs have always seemed more Pittsburghy to me, and the northern suburbs, where I grew up, seemed more generically suburban. However, the northern suburbs I'm more familiar with are further-out ones like McCandless, Franklin Park, Cranberry, et cetera, and the southern suburbs are more inner-ring suburbs like Baldwin and Brentwood. So I may be comparing apples and oranges here.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Well, you've been around! Like every city, Pittsburgh has its people who've never ventured very far. I often get a blank stare from people out here in CO who say they are from Pittsburgh when I say me, too, from Beaver Falls. Of course, until I was a visitng nurse on the South Side, I didn't know much about the south area.

Yes, Beaver is west. North-west, to be exact.

By the way, logged some time in Beaver Falls. Friend getting married just HAD to go to Mary's Bridals and Formals. Several times. And for some reason I had to drive her every time. And Brent's first job was at the Beaver Falls Household Finance Company.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

By the way, logged some time in Beaver Falls. Friend getting married just HAD to go to Mary's Bridals and Formals. Several times. And for some reason I had to drive her every time. And Brent's first job was at the Beaver Falls Household Finance Company.

Small world! I got my prom dress and wedding dress at Mary's!

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by Steelers115

I grew up in the North hills, and i now live in cranberry. My family is orig. from Bellevue, leetsdale, and ambridge...so pretty much i dont venture to the south hills very often. I cant say good or bad about the south hills because i know nothing about it.

Heres why i like north of the city though....

Easy access to Pittsburgh, lots of things to do, Ross park mall is doing a lot to make it more upscale and nice, and there is a lot of really nice areas.

I seen some people talking about wealthy areas and which one is most expensive. I will say this NOTHING compares to Sewickley Heights...not fox chapel, not Mt. Lebo....hell imo not even beverly hills (well maybe more expensive but as far as big gorgeous houses sewickley heights has them beat). It has estates, and mansions that have been around since my grandparents were little, and the land that goes with them homes is amazing. Most of them houses have yards (if thats what you want to call them) that are the size of a small county. There is also castles up there...there is a few old stone ones from the early 1900s that are just amazing. I have a friend who has a friend who was in the one, and said the whole inside was done up with a mid evil theme...knights, and red carpets. I often take rides to sewickley heights just to look at the houses, back in HS i would sometimes run into my friends unplanned doing the same thing as me lol.

There is a brand new castle that looks like a city skyline. It is the largest home i have ever seen in my life im going to post up a link with pictures. I have heard from a few people that it is the largest home in america. It is like nothing ive ever seen before. 5 or 6 storys, steaples, all stone, all the glass was custom made and imported from italy, and now they have the yard done... the gate to the driveway is probley worth more than everything i own. Water fountains, a lot of extras..its done up very nice.

Ok heres the link to the picture...keep in mind this is from before it was done, so the yard and gates and all that arent put in yet.

http://www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/R...r&MuniCode=883

I agree. Sewickley Heights is where most of the athletes live and I think it has the highest real estate property average along with the highest income average. I think the castle picture you posted is gorgeous!!!!! I ceratinly wouldn't say "no" to livning there!

[PeterRabbit]

^^^ Fox Chapel is ahead by a nose.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

^^^ Fox Chapel is ahead by a nose.

Who's? HAa ha ha. Just kidding.

[Awesomo.2000]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Well, you've been around! Like every city, Pittsburgh has its people who've never ventured very far. I often get a blank stare from people out here in CO who say they are from Pittsburgh when I say me, too, from Beaver Falls. Of course, until I was a visitng nurse on the South Side, I didn't know much about the south area.

Yes, Beaver is west. North-west, to be exact.

Beaver falls is 40 miles outside of Pittsburgh. That isn't exactly Pittsburgh. That is about the same as New Alexandria. It isn't a suprise that somebody from Pittsburgh may not have been there.

[lifepgh2op]

Originally Posted by Awesomo.2000

Beaver falls is 40 miles outside of Pittsburgh. That isn't exactly Pittsburgh. That is about the same as New Alexandria. It isn't a suprise that somebody from Pittsburgh may not have been there.

Well yes, you can't expect people to visit every town in the metro but it is (or was) a big part of the Pittsburgh metro...you would think they would have at least heard of it?