Looking for a cool part of the city to possibly live longer term (Pittsburgh: real estate market, crime)

[donnyfontaine]

I'm from the Pittsburgh area, and looking to buy a house (s/o to Pittsburgh for having a semi-stable real estate market, mostly). I know a decent bit about some neighborhoods, but obviously have my biases and want to make sure I'm not missing anything. (For the record, just turned 30, no kids yet, want a school district that's at least decent if for no other reason than long term viability. Not super rich or anything, but don't want to rule out any neighborhoods yet just because of $$)

Where I've lived:
- I'm from Cranberry, which is just way too commercial for me now, and I don't like the vibe of "perfect freeway exit on the way to a soccer tournament"
- Spent a few years in LA (which was near perfect) but I consider that irrelevant to this
- I lived in Oakland for college, which was great but hate how chaotic it is now
- Lived in Old City in Philly for less than a year, literally hated it. Chaotic, angry, overwhelming to a degree. Hard pass
- I had a house on the North Side (Allegheny west), which I sold when I moved to Philly for work. It was nice, but I absolutely need a garage with a new house, and didn't like how frequently there were shootings within a mile
- Currently live in East Lib, right by Shadyside. I like it, but again, don't love some of the "chaos", and want to be somewhere much quieter

What I like:
- Somewhere not too hectic, but close to things. Something that's in nature where I can have a yard, but 5 or so minutes from shops and restaurants would be cool
- Need to have a garage (love my car more than most things... lack of garage was why it was so easy to sell my first house after less than 2 years)
- I really dislike claustrophobic streets - those streets where there is parking on both sides, and it's a 2 way street but only 1 car can fit down... that's enough to make me rule out a neighborhood, like Lawrenceville
- Have friends in Lawrenceville, Strip, and some friends closer to Wexford. Also work remote, so just would be nice to be within 20-30 mins of friends, but there's no consistent commute I'll be making (I will be traveling for work every 6 weeks or so, so nowhere unreasonably far from the airport)
- Lower crime - living in philly made me realize I apparently get anxiety in dangerous areas, so somewhere that crime is very low risk would be great
- I love driving, so somewhere that's not an absolute nightmare to drive around

Some weird criteria, I know, but already have some areas in mind and would appreciate any new input!

[szug-bot]

right away i'm thinking carnegie and crafton - the general areas, if not those boroughs specifically - would be strong contendors.

also, Heidelberg or parts of Collier Township that are along Route 50.

i believe those areas are not difficult to drive through/around, have access to interstate options, public parks, small town feel (well, sort of/maybe), and is just a great corner of the metro area, all things considered.

im not sure id call any place in pittsburgh 'chaotic' except for incoming and outgoing at the Squirrel Hill Tunnels, since there are people who believe in excess of 70mph approaching the tunnels will somehow allow them to bend space and time and avoid the traffic ahead.

[gg]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

right away i'm thinking carnegie and crafton - the general areas, if not those boroughs specifically - would be strong contendors.

also, Heidelberg or parts of Collier Township that are along Route 50.

i believe those areas are not difficult to drive through/around, have access to interstate options, public parks, small town feel (well, sort of/maybe), and is just a great corner of the metro area, all things considered.

im not sure id call any place in pittsburgh 'chaotic' except for incoming and outgoing at the Squirrel Hill Tunnels, since there are people who believe in excess of 70mph approaching the tunnels will somehow allow them to bend space and time and avoid the traffic ahead.

Wait, what? I wouldn't recommend anything in those areas at all. That entire region is chaos.

I would look at Aspinwall, Blawnox, Oakmont and areas around there. It is out of the crazy areas, but close to everything. In the city, I would look at Highland Park, Morningside and parts of Point Breeze.

[tyovan4]

Aspinwall and Shaler would be my recommendations.

[gg]

Originally Posted by tyovan4

Aspinwall and Shaler would be my recommendations.

Yeah close, but not crazy. Pittsburgh's city center is now the East End, not downtown. Downtown is toast and a good place for the homeless and drug people. The folks that want to live in a more civilized society will hover around the East End, minus that sketchy areas.

[donnyfontaine]

Originally Posted by gg

Wait, what? I wouldn't recommend anything in those areas at all. That entire region is chaos.

I would look at Aspinwall, Blawnox, Oakmont and areas around there. It is out of the crazy areas, but close to everything. In the city, I would look at Highland Park, Morningside and parts of Point Breeze.

Ok I'm familiar with a lot of these suggestions and they are absolutely ones I've considered. What if I was bent on having at least 1/3 of an acre or so and an actual yard? Most of these areas (Blawnox, Oakmont, HP, Morningside etc.) don't really have much space

[Higherho]

What is your budget? I ask before I start making recommendations.

[donnyfontaine]

Originally Posted by Higherho

What is your budget? I ask before I start making recommendations.

I don't want to rule out any areas yet due to budget so fire away with any suggestions but let's assume under 700k

[gg]

Originally Posted by donnyfontaine

I don't want to rule out any areas yet due to budget so fire away with any suggestions but let's assume under 700k

Oh, in that case. O'Hara, Indiana Twp., Hampton and Shaler come to mind.

I didn't know you wanted some land and had a higher budget. With the $700k max, I would really look at O'Hara first. Lots of doctors live there because of its proximity to Oakland/Hospitals. I don't think there is anything in Fox Chapel for that price, but sometimes there is. Further out and less expensive is West Deer.

[Higherho]

Originally Posted by donnyfontaine

I don't want to rule out any areas yet due to budget so fire away with any suggestions but let's assume under 700k

Mission hills section of Mt Lebanon. You can get lots up to 0.4 to 0.5 acres. Access to the light rail system, very close to a popular mall, and a stone throw away from Downtown Pittsburgh.