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Ok here is a little about us. We are a family of four moving from New Orleans to Pittsburgh. My husband is from Pittsburgh (Carrick area) and is currently active duty military. His time is starting to come to an end and we have decided to move back to the city. Now please remember he has not really been there in 18 years. But we do have plenty of family in the city and I am from Cleveland (I know I know) so it would be closer to my friends who are still up there. Anyway.... We have plane tickets to look around in February during Mardi Gras down here. When we move at the end of the school year my husband will have a year left of military service. I will move to Pittsburgh without him in order to look for a job and establish life for our two children.
However, my son will be starting middle school. Here in New Orleans we are not is a good middle school district and I thought it would be a good time to transition up there. That way he can start a new school with others kids trying to figure out where to go and so forth.
I am going to be looking for a job. Currently I have a college degree and would like to break into a federal job. (long process) Most of the jobs are downtown so I need to be able to use public transportation.
We are looking for the american dream I guess. We have looked online at areas such a Dormont, Mount Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Brentwood, Whitehall and Baldwin. We want to spend under 190,000 for a house. Schools of course are important. I have to have a driveway. Can you recommend any other places? Or tell me what to exclude from my list?
I have read many posts online where you have generously shared your knowledge with others and I am hoping that you will do the same for me. Thank you.
Ok here is a little about us. We are a family of four moving from New Orleans to Pittsburgh. My husband is from Pittsburgh (Carrick area) and is currently active duty military. His time is starting to come to an end and we have decided to move back to the city. Now please remember he has not really been there in 18 years. But we do have plenty of family in the city and I am from Cleveland (I know I know) so it would be closer to my friends who are still up there. Anyway.... We have plane tickets to look around in February during Mardi Gras down here. When we move at the end of the school year my husband will have a year left of military service. I will move to Pittsburgh without him in order to look for a job and establish life for our two children.
However, my son will be starting middle school. Here in New Orleans we are not is a good middle school district and I thought it would be a good time to transition up there. That way he can start a new school with others kids trying to figure out where to go and so forth.
I am going to be looking for a job. Currently I have a college degree and would like to break into a federal job. (long process) Most of the jobs are downtown so I need to be able to use public transportation.
We are looking for the american dream I guess. We have looked online at areas such a Dormont, Mount Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Brentwood, Whitehall and Baldwin. We want to spend under 190,000 for a house. Schools of course are important. I have to have a driveway. Can you recommend any other places? Or tell me what to exclude from my list?
I have read many posts online where you have generously shared your knowledge with others and I am hoping that you will do the same for me. Thank you.
You don't need to worry so much about Pittsburgh changing in the years since your husband was here. This place hardly ever changes. Seriously, though, the areas you are looking in are ok. Brentwood and Carrick are a bit rough. My husband grew up in Brentwood and he didn't like it too much. Crime in Carrick has increased some because it's close to a few bad areas, but it's not generally dangerous. Mount Lebanon is still somewhat upscale. It might be hard to find a home under 200,000 there. Having a driveway in those areas depends on the house. Some do, some don't. Many of those areas are hilly so driveways can be steep. Again, it depends on the house. Have you thought about west of the city? Crafton is not as nice as it used to be, but beyond Thornburg into Robinson and Imperial it's really growing with lots of new shopping areas and interchanges to the parkway. Housing is a little higher because most of the area is newer, but the schools aren't too bad. It's the Montour and West Allegheny school districts if you want to look them up. Hope this helps!
Have you considered or looked into Monroeville, PA. It's close to the city and you can park your car at a Park n Ride and catch the bus into town. Gateway District is pretty good, and monroeville is sourrounded by all types of stores and shopping areas. Really, you won't have to leave your area unless you have to go to work or just want to go in the city. You will definately find a nice house for the price you want to pay. Also Fox Chapel is a good neighborhood and closer to the city.
How big of a house are you looking for? In my area of Upper Saint Clair, houses on my street regularly sell for $160k to $200k for a 3 bedroom ranch or 3 bedroom 2 Story. The houses are generally around 40+ years old. You can't beat the school district and the subway/T is only 1.5 miles away. Every house has a driveway and at least one garage and crime is something we don't even think about.
We are looking for the american dream I guess. We have looked online at areas such a Dormont, Mount Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Brentwood, Whitehall and Baldwin. We want to spend under 190,000 for a house. Schools of course are important. I have to have a driveway. Can you recommend any other places? Or tell me what to exclude from my list?
You can get a decent house in Upper St. Clair or Mt. Lebanon for under 200k, undoubtedly one with a driveway. Both school districts are very good, far better than those in the other areas you listed.
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. Seriously, though, the areas you are looking in are ok. Brentwood and Carrick are a bit rough. My husband grew up in Brentwood and he didn't like it too much. Crime in Carrick has increased some because it's close to a few bad areas, but it's not generally dangerous. Mount Lebanon is still somewhat upscale. It might be hard to find a home under 200,000 there. Having a driveway in those areas depends on the house. Some do, some don't. Many of those areas are hilly so driveways can be steep. Again, it depends on the house. Have you thought about west of the city? Crafton is not as nice as it used to be, but beyond Thornburg into Robinson and Imperial it's really growing with lots of new shopping areas and interchanges to the parkway. Housing is a little higher because most of the area is newer, but the schools aren't too bad. It's the Montour and West Allegheny school districts if you want to look them up. Hope this helps!
