Seeking input (Pittsburgh, Plum, Lebanon: apartment, rental market, low crime)

[Unicorn hunter]

Hello all! I recently moved here from Ohio, before that lived in Washington state for 40 years. I was actually born in PA, but that was 68 years ago, so ancient history. And I actually grew up and lived in Massachusetts until the age of 19. Now that you know all about me, I would like to get to know some more about my new area; specifically, what area would best fit what I'm looking for. And I'm guessing it won't be easy. Basically, looking for safe, affordable (I know, I blew it already) walkable, with excellent (or at least good) public transit options. Would like at most 40 minutes outside of downtown. Does such a place exist? Looking to rent, not buy. Unless something like an amazing townhouse is available at a fantastic price. Fire away.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Unicorn hunter

Hello all! I recently moved here from Ohio, before that lived in Washington state for 40 years. I was actually born in PA, but that was 68 years ago, so ancient history. And I actually grew up and lived in Massachusetts until the age of 19. Now that you know all about me, I would like to get to know some more about my new area; specifically, what area would best fit what I'm looking for. And I'm guessing it won't be easy. Basically, looking for safe, affordable (I know, I blew it already) walkable, with excellent (or at least good) public transit options. Would like at most 40 minutes outside of downtown. Does such a place exist? Looking to rent, not buy. Unless something like an amazing townhouse is available at a fantastic price. Fire away.

Given your age and your requirements, I'd suggest Mt. Lebanon. You can get a one-bedroom apartment in the apartment district for about $900 a month. Puts you a block away from the business district and two blocks away from the T station (light rail) that takes you directly into downtown.

The East End of Pittsburgh is better when it comes to everything but price, but there you'll be competing with students for rental units, so the prices will be significantly higher (the cheapest in Squirrel hill are about $1,000, and that's the low end of the rental market).

[RetireinPA]

Originally Posted by Unicorn hunter

Hello all! I recently moved here from Ohio, before that lived in Washington state for 40 years. I was actually born in PA, but that was 68 years ago, so ancient history. And I actually grew up and lived in Massachusetts until the age of 19. Now that you know all about me, I would like to get to know some more about my new area; specifically, what area would best fit what I'm looking for. And I'm guessing it won't be easy. Basically, looking for safe, affordable (I know, I blew it already) walkable, with excellent (or at least good) public transit options. Would like at most 40 minutes outside of downtown. Does such a place exist? Looking to rent, not buy. Unless something like an amazing townhouse is available at a fantastic price. Fire away.

I tell everyone the same thing for the same reason I came to the conclusion when I returned as a prodigal son..westmoreland county. distance checked, low tax checked, low crime checked, affordable checked, still get to drive in to do the fun stuff at any time. once you cross the county line on 993/130 at trafford pat service stops, but westmoreland GO picks it up. If I have to travel to the fed bldg in pitt, I usually drive as I have priority parking rights, but I can take the bu-uuu-uuu-uuu-ussss. I am 11-13 miles from downtown depending on how you measure. using the pittsburgh formula (miles times 3 = minutes non rush hour), it meets the time requirement

[gg]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Given your age and your requirements, I'd suggest Mt. Lebanon. You can get a one-bedroom apartment in the apartment district for about $900 a month. Puts you a block away from the business district and two blocks away from the T station (light rail) that takes you directly into downtown.

The East End of Pittsburgh is better when it comes to everything but price, but there you'll be competing with students for rental units, so the prices will be significantly higher (the cheapest in Squirrel hill are about $1,000, and that's the low end of the rental market).

These are good suggestions. The East End for the most part would be Shadyside, Highland Park, East Liberty (parts of it are good), Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, Oakland and North of Forbes to name a few. Lawrenceville and the Strip are good but probably pretty pricey.

Welcome to Pittsburgh.

[SteelCityRising]

I would suggest Dormont, as the rents may even be cheaper than Mt. Lebanon, yet you are even slightly closer by light rail transit to Downtown Pittsburgh. Bellevue is also an option that is very walkable and has good bus service.

[Copanut]

Agree with Dormont, great public transit.

[Unicorn hunter]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Given your age and your requirements, I'd suggest Mt. Lebanon. You can get a one-bedroom apartment in the apartment district for about $900 a month. Puts you a block away from the business district and two blocks away from the T station (light rail) that takes you directly into downtown.

The East End of Pittsburgh is better when it comes to everything but price, but there you'll be competing with students for rental units, so the prices will be significantly higher (the cheapest in Squirrel hill are about $1,000, and that's the low end of the rental market).

Thanks! Will definitely check it out.

[Unicorn hunter]

Originally Posted by gg

These are good suggestions. The East End for the most part would be Shadyside, Highland Park, East Liberty (parts of it are good), Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, Oakland and North of Forbes to name a few. Lawrenceville and the Strip are good but probably pretty pricey.

Welcome to Pittsburgh.

Thank you!

[Unicorn hunter]

Originally Posted by RetireinPA

I tell everyone the same thing for the same reason I came to the conclusion when I returned as a prodigal son..westmoreland county. distance checked, low tax checked, low crime checked, affordable checked, still get to drive in to do the fun stuff at any time. once you cross the county line on 993/130 at trafford pat service stops, but westmoreland GO picks it up. If I have to travel to the fed bldg in pitt, I usually drive as I have priority parking rights, but I can take the bu-uuu-uuu-uuu-ussss. I am 11-13 miles from downtown depending on how you measure. using the pittsburgh formula (miles times 3 = minutes non rush hour), it meets the time requirement

I'm really confused about where I currently am! Technically, I think I'm in Murrysville. Seems I'm either in Plum or Westmoreland? Anyway, where I am there is very little bus service. Only a commuter bus that runs in the early a.m. and afternoon. What is the GO bus? I suspect I am nowhere near it. Thanks for your input anyway!

[gg]

Originally Posted by Unicorn hunter

I'm really confused about where I currently am! Technically, I think I'm in Murrysville. Seems I'm either in Plum or Westmoreland? Anyway, where I am there is very little bus service. Only a commuter bus that runs in the early a.m. and afternoon. What is the GO bus? I suspect I am nowhere near it. Thanks for your input anyway!

I relooked at your first post and really there are plenty of places that you can get downtown fast enough. Even places like Aspinwall, Blawnox, Millvale and Sharpsburg are fine and pretty close in. They are all pretty active and not the cheapest anymore, but not bad either. Brewpubs and all the "in" kind of things are around. All would be closer than Murrysville area and more bus services. If you like to bicycle in cities all the places I mentioned would fit that as well, Blawnox being the hardest to get out of, but the rest are easy and Millvale actually has a trail into the city that is pretty awesome.

Enjoy your search. Always exciting.