North Side (Pittsburgh, Franklin Park, Bellevue: apartments, job, home)

[peanut33]

Hey Everyone,
So my boyfriend just found out that he'll be working in Wexford and I'm going to be going to school at the University of Pittsburgh. Before he found out about the job, we were planning to live in Shadyside or Squirrel Hill, but now that would be a pretty far commute to Wexford. I don't know much about any neighborhoods that would be closer to Wexford so I need your help ASAP. My main priority is going to be saftey. I am a young female and need to feel safe by myself. I also need to be able to ride the bus to Oakland and we would like to stay in the city and get that city-living feel if possible rather than living in the suburbs. However, I will take ANY suggestions. We're going to Pittsburgh to look for apartments next week, so any and all advice is welcome! Thanks.

[BrianTH]

Well, the bad news as you know is that Wexford is not all that close to Oakland, so one or both of you is going to have a bit of a commute. The good news, though, is that if you live close to Oakland, at least the commute to Wexford will be a reverse commute, meaning less traffic.

In light of that, I'm actually thinking Shadyside and Squirrel Hill remain viable options. It puts most of the commuting burden on your boyfriend, but I think the additional time for the bus on you anywhere significantly closer to Wexford would be much more than the additional time in the car for him.

[Awesomo.2000]

I live in S. Hill, and work in Wexford. It takes me 20 minutes to get to work. I get on the Parkway east head to Blvd. of the Allies, go up 276, and then exit on 910 at 76. I leave at 6:40, and get to work at 7:00. The dive is easy. No traffic in the morning because it is ALL against traffic.

The only problem is coming home. I run into traffic before S.Hill because off all the damn suburbinites blocking my route home.

I couldn't live in Wexford even if somebody paid me 1,000,000 a year to do it. It is urban sprawl hell. No turning lanes, strip mall galore, only chain stores, and no sidewalks. I had to walk to the car dealer (car needed maintance) to my office. It was impossible. I would rather communte and live in S. Hill. The commute is not bad. If you like the city, DON'T live in Wexford. It is a suburban sprawl hellhole.

[Awesomo.2000]

Also, would like to add. Once Blvd of the Allies opens up through Oakland, my commute home will be much easier. Then I can avoid the traffic on 376, and just go up the Blvd. of the Allies and go into Schenley park, and cross into S. Hill.

It is easy.

[creepsinc]

Observatory Hill, West View, Perrysville. Brighton Heights. Maybe Ross.

[nynjmapa]

Agreed that it should take around 30 minutes to go from the city to Wexford in the morning, so your original points of interest are still manageable per your criteria.

When you have your list trimmed down, make sure that your potential home is serviced by the desired bus route to Oakland. You may want to consider riding the routes when you are out here to get an idea of how long the bus will take and where it drops you off.

Finally, if you choose to live in the city, be aware that your school district tax will be 3% compared to the 1% that you will pay in the northern suburbs such as Ross, West View, Observatory Hill.

Best of luck in your search!

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by nynjmapa

...if you choose to live in the city, be aware that your school district tax will be 3% compared to the 1% that you will pay in the northern suburbs such as Ross, West View, Observatory Hill.

That's true, but Observatory Hill is City of Pittsburgh neighborhood, so if 3% is a concern, rule it out.

[rp71284]

I live in West View and if you're not within walking distance of the Park-N-Ride, it's still a minimum 45 min on the bus to Oakland (when there's no traffic). Right now I-279 is a mess, so that's an hour on a good day. If you take the 500 bus (which goes through Bellevue on its way downtown, then up 5th ave), you're looking at an hour to almost 90 min to Oakland.

The only Northern suburbs that are serviced by PAT during non-rush hours are Bellevue, West View, Allison Park, Avalon, Shadeland, and any areas close to Beaver Ave, Ohio River Blvd or McKnight Rd. Be advised that North Park, Cranberry, Marshall, Wexford, Babcock Blvd, Franklin Park, Thompson Run Rd and northern Perry Hwy only have service during rush hours.

I think if you were to do what other posters suggested, that would be your best bet. The reverse commute is a breeze, trust me. Coming downtown on I-279, there's barely anybody going north in the morning.