Move from West End (Short Pump) Richmond, VA to Pittsburgh, PA (Penn Hills: cul-de-sac, maintenance)

[hendychow]

Hello Everyone,

I am planning to move to Pittsburgh, PA next month and I need suggestions from All of you to get an apartment since I don't know the city yet.
I am looking for 2-3 bedroom apartments with $900 - $1200 price range

My job location will be at RIDC area.
I prefer the area that is similar to the area that I live in now, which is, Short Pump Area (West End) in Richmond,VA.
I lived close by Short Pump Town Center and also not far from big stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, Kohls, Bestbuy. Those stores sit next to each others.

I already started searching the location close by RIDC close to Route 28 like Blawnox, Aspinwall, Ohara, Fox Chapel, Verona but I didn't find may apartments near that area.

I went to Green Tree area last time, but It's too far from RIDC and got caught in Traffic in freeway 278
Nearby downtown area like Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are too pricey for me.

Next time, I am thinking to check North hill area, which is closer to mall, shopping center and store like Walmart, Target, Kohls, etc.

Please suggest.
Thank you very much

[guylocke]

You didn't find apartments in Fox Chapel? I know there are some large apartment complexes that are being built in that area including The Docks.

I would try Oakmont, too. My brother and his wife rent a great little apartment there and it's a very nice town that is not far from the other places you mentioned.

I would definitely try Natrona Heights, too. I have friends that live in a great townhouse complex for rent and I believe there are quite a few such places in the Heights.

Other than that, other towns in that area (nearby Rt 28) and not far from RIDC include Harmar, Cheswick, and Springdale. Good luck!

[BrianTH]

I second the suggestion of Oakmont, and I'd also look at Morningside and Highland Park (both nice residential neighborhoods just across the Highland Park Bridge from the Waterworks shopping area and RIDC).

[hendychow]

Guylocke,

The Docks is very expensive. I am looking for 2-3 bedroom apartments around $900-$1200
Which apartments complex around Fox Chapel besides River Oaks , West Franklin, and The Docks ?
Anybody could give me a name ?
Does anybody know about O'Hara Woods Apartments ?

The apartment in Oakmont is Oakmont Landing 101 Washington Ave # 215, Oakmont, PA ?

Thank You so Much my friend,

Hendy

Originally Posted by guylocke

You didn't find apartments in Fox Chapel? I know there are some large apartment complexes that are being built in that area including The Docks.

I would try Oakmont, too. My brother and his wife rent a great little apartment there and it's a very nice town that is not far from the other places you mentioned.

I would definitely try Natrona Heights, too. I have friends that live in a great townhouse complex for rent and I believe there are quite a few such places in the Heights.

Other than that, other towns in that area (nearby Rt 28) and not far from RIDC include Harmar, Cheswick, and Springdale. Good luck!

[guylocke]

I think 3-bedroom apartments are pretty rare at any price range. There may be less than a handful of them in an entire complex building and many complexes will have none at all.

I know two complexes in Natrona Heights are Stonehenge Apartments and Pacific Highlands.

I sent off a few txt messages to see if I can get the names of a few places. My brother doesn't specifically live in Oakmont Landing, but they do seem nice.

As I wrote this, I remembered I had a friend that lived in a lovely apartment complex in Penn Hills. I wish I could find the name for you. You may want to check out Penn Hills, too, for more options. The building was tucked away in a beautiful wooded area of Penn Hills with great parking and a great lobby from what I remember.

[PeterRabbit]

Oakmont Landing has 2BR apts. starting at $785. It's right beside the river and near the park, also next to Oakmont Yacht Club. They used to host a Regatta every summer and maybe still do. Walk to everything except groceries which are in the small shopping center in the next town over, 1 mile. The link goes to the mgmnt. co. and there's lots of photos.
Franklin West || Oakmont Landing
---
For some reason I thought you had to have a 3 bedroom apt. and since there weren't any I found these houses for rent:

$925 / 3br - House with garage, yard, on Cul-de-sac (Oakmont) Terrace Pl. at Allegheny River Blvd.
Great location and nice street. From the address given you'd be on the corner of the main street and near the bridge. Cross bridge, turn left, straight shot to RIDC in 10 or 15 minutes. Walk to everything except groceries.
House with garage, yard, on Cul-de-sac
---
$900 / 3br - Fox Chapel School District (Blawnox) Orchard at Camberwell
Photos look like a doll house. Not a bad little town, not much to it. Has 2 traffic lights and is a bottleneck. Half mile to shopping center.
Fox Chapel School District
---
$1200 / 3br - Aspinwall house for rent -- Center Ave. at 12th St.
There's great photos. 1/2 mile to shopping center with a Krogers (ours are called Giant Eagle). About 2-3 miles to RIDC. Aspinwall is a desirable community although there isn't much to it.
Aspinwall house for rent (broken link)
---
All these locations are a short drive (7 miles or less?) to Pittsburgh Mills Mall which is huge and has all the stores you mentioned except Target is a stand-alone and much closer. Waterworks Shopping Center is between Blawnox and Aspinwall. It has a Staples, Radio Shack, Ross, chain bookstore, Marshalls, etc., good for getting groceries as there's an even smaller plaza next to it with another supermarket.

[hendychow]

Peter,

Anyone are welcomed to reply to this posting and I really appreciate your suggestion and help.
Now I have 2 BR and BA in short pump area Richmond,VA. The rent is $ 955.
Because I am having a baby, that's why I am thinking to have 3 BR apartment or I just get 2 BR apartment.

I saw some posting on Craigslist that renting a House are cheaper than renting an apartment.
Do you think it's better to rent an apartment or a house ?
What is the advantage and the disadvantage of both ?

I've told by my buddy that renting a house has more hassles than renting renting an apartment, assuming there are problems with maintenance things such as broken pipes, ceilings or kitchen/laundry stuffs.

Thank You,

Hendy

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

Oakmont Landing has 2BR apts. starting at $785. It's right beside the river and near the park, also next to Oakmont Yacht Club. They used to host a Regatta every summer and maybe still do. Walk to everything except groceries which are in the small shopping center in the next town over, 1 mile. The link goes to the mgmnt. co. and there's lots of photos.
Franklin West || Oakmont Landing
---
For some reason I thought you had to have a 3 bedroom apt. and since there weren't any I found these houses for rent:

$925 / 3br - House with garage, yard, on Cul-de-sac (Oakmont) Terrace Pl. at Allegheny River Blvd.
Great location and nice street. From the address given you'd be on the corner of the main street and near the bridge. Cross bridge, turn left, straight shot to RIDC in 10 or 15 minutes. Walk to everything except groceries.
House with garage, yard, on Cul-de-sac
---
$900 / 3br - Fox Chapel School District (Blawnox) Orchard at Camberwell
Photos look like a doll house. Not a bad little town, not much to it. Has 2 traffic lights and is a bottleneck. Half mile to shopping center.
Fox Chapel School District
---
$1200 / 3br - Aspinwall house for rent -- Center Ave. at 12th St.
There's great photos. 1/2 mile to shopping center with a Krogers (ours are called Giant Eagle). About 2-3 miles to RIDC. Aspinwall is a desirable community although there isn't much to it.
Aspinwall house for rent (broken link)
---
All these locations are a short drive (7 miles or less?) to Pittsburgh Mills Mall which is huge and has all the stores you mentioned except Target is a stand-alone and much closer. Waterworks Shopping Center is between Blawnox and Aspinwall. It has a Staples, Radio Shack, Ross, chain bookstore, Marshalls, etc., good for getting groceries as there's an even smaller plaza next to it with another supermarket.

[hendychow]

Anyone are welcomed to reply to this posting and I really appreciate your suggestion and help.
Now I have 2 BR and BA in short pump area Richmond,VA. The rent is $ 955.
Because I am having a baby, that's why I am thinking to have 3 BR apartment or I just get 2 BR apartment.

Is 2 bedroom apartment only allowed up to 4 people ?
What if I have a baby, should I register 5 people including the baby ?

Thanks

Originally Posted by guylocke

I think 3-bedroom apartments are pretty rare at any price range. There may be less than a handful of them in an entire complex building and many complexes will have none at all.

I know two complexes in Natrona Heights are Stonehenge Apartments and Pacific Highlands.

I sent off a few txt messages to see if I can get the names of a few places. My brother doesn't specifically live in Oakmont Landing, but they do seem nice.

As I wrote this, I remembered I had a friend that lived in a lovely apartment complex in Penn Hills. I wish I could find the name for you. You may want to check out Penn Hills, too, for more options. The building was tucked away in a beautiful wooded area of Penn Hills with great parking and a great lobby from what I remember.

[fleetiebelle]

I've told by my buddy that renting a house has more hassles than renting renting an apartment, assuming there are problems with maintenance things such as broken pipes, ceilings or kitchen/laundry stuffs.

Since you're renting, all maintenance is still covered by your landlord. The only thing I can think of that might be different is that for a house you might be asked to do some yardwork as part of your lease.

[BrianTH]

For 3BR, you likely will have a lot more choices in terms of whole houses in many of the neighborhoods we are recommending. And while it is true in theory that you aren't responsible for maintenance, you might inquire about exactly how maintenance gets done before renting.