Moving to pittsburgh (Bethel Park, Lebanon, Jefferson Hills: gated, apartment complex, rent)

[nbrs]

we are moving to pittsburgh in mid june and we are looking for apartment that has direct transit service to Pittsburgh downtown preferably train service. I have looked on some websites and given that there are so many options it is getting really tough and confusing. We have lived in cities like Atlanta and Phoenix which have got good apartment communities esp Atlanta with gated communities. In Pittsburgh I am seeing apartments in building of 10-15 floors line NYC which I dont like, and the apartments which are like duplex/townhomes in gated community do not have transit services to downtown. So here is my dilemma. Can someone suggest me some good newly built apartments which are not inside tall buildings, have good transit service to downtown and are affordable? I know its perfect combination but Pittsburgh has provides lot of options and I can find that perfect one with your help

[Mugatu]

How far from downtown are you willing to live? I live in the Bethel Park area (10 miles south of the city) and there are plenty of apartments along the "T" line there (The T is Pittsburgh's light rail system and only services areas south of downtown) They are also mostly smaller complexes, and Bethel Park is a very safe area. Off the top of my head I can think of Brightwood Plaza which is across from the Walmart on Library Rd and only 2 blocks from the T station, and Pebble Creek, which is a little further south on Library Rd and directly next to the T line. If you want to live closer to the city, try looking in Mt Lebanon or Dormont. Forrent.com is a good place to start, most complexes will advertise if they are near the "T".

[ExPit]

Originally Posted by nbrs

we are moving to pittsburgh in mid june and we are looking for apartment that has direct transit service to Pittsburgh downtown preferably train service. I have looked on some websites and given that there are so many options it is getting really tough and confusing. We have lived in cities like Atlanta and Phoenix which have got good apartment communities esp Atlanta with gated communities. In Pittsburgh I am seeing apartments in building of 10-15 floors line NYC which I dont like, and the apartments which are like duplex/townhomes in gated community do not have transit services to downtown. So here is my dilemma. Can someone suggest me some good newly built apartments which are not inside tall buildings, have good transit service to downtown and are affordable? I know its perfect combination but Pittsburgh has provides lot of options and I can find that perfect one with your help

If you want more of a city feel go east; Oakland, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill. If you'd prefer something more suburban but still very convenient, go south, along West Liberty Avenue... Dormont, Mt. Lebanon area.

[BrianTH]

I might mention that in addition to the T, Pittsburgh has a dedicated busway system, and living near a busway station can be much like living near a T station from a commuting perspective. There are also several express bus routes Downtown which pick up people in various neighborhoods and then use the busways to go Downtown (which is sorta like having a shuttle bus take you to the nearest train station, except you don't have to transfer since the bus then just becomes the "train").

Anyway, looking along the busways might expand your options. Incidentally, if you can compromise a bit on "newly built" (e.g., to instead "recently renovated"), you will find lots more options, including in many popular neighborhoods served by the busways. For example, Shadyside is a popular neighborhood along the East Busway, and from there it only takes about ten minutes for a bus to get Downtown. But while Shadyside has a lot of attractive contemporary apartments, most of them are in older buildings (including converted houses and mansions).

[nbrs]

Thanks for such promt responses...Can you also suggest some of the apartment complexes in these localities which are good and not like buildings...Appreciate your help!!!

[ExPit]

A place I lived for a year was then called Chatham West Apartments, I think now called Hyland Hills, and it's a sprawling apartment complex in the Green Tree City area. It's very convenient to downtown from either Green Tree or Banksville roads, (5-10 minutes in those days, and I believe that now it's even gated, though I'd be surprised to find out it's price prohibitive. I loved the area then. Easy place to live.

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by ExPit

A place I lived for a year was then called Chatham West Apartments, I think now called Hyland Hills, and it's a sprawling apartment complex in the Green Tree City area. It's very convenient to downtown from either Green Tree or Banksville roads, (5-10 minutes in those days, and I believe that now it's even gated, though I'd be surprised to find out it's price prohibitive. I loved the area then. Easy place to live.

You had no problems with this apt complex? It's getting mostly horrible reviews here: Hyland Hills Apartments Ratings, Reviews, Map, Rents, and other Pittsburgh apartments for rent from ApartmentRatings.com

I recently got a job up in Crafton and need to find a closer apt. The 45 minute drive to the South Hills during rush hour is killing me. Green Tree would be a great location for me.

[ralamantia]

I am from Jefferson Hills. I have not lived in Pittsburgh in 21 years. I have read many emails about a bad area called Lincoln. Are they referring to Lincoln Place? I hope not. It used to be a nice neighborhood that had McBride park. I remember many a church picnic there.

Someone let me know.

[PeterRabbit]

^ The bad Lincoln you are hearing about is in or near Homewood. Lincoln-Lemington area.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by nbrs

Thanks for such promt responses...Can you also suggest some of the apartment complexes in these localities which are good and not like buildings...Appreciate your help!!!

A lot of the best apartment deals in Pittsburgh's historic neighborhoods are in very small buildings or converted houses, as opposed to something like a complex. It can be tough to research those at a remove, however. So, it can be worth checking out some of the big management companies, who operate a number of such properties and have searchable websites. The downside to this approach is you save less money, but at least the better companies tend to keep their apartments updated and in good condition.

For example, my wife was renting a nice apartment in Shadyside from Franklin West when we first met. Here is their website:

Welcome to Franklin West

If you poke around, you will see the various small buildings, houses, and mansions in which they have apartments. Other similar management companies include Walnut Capital, Forbes, and many others.