Squirrel Hill Living (Pittsburgh: rental, houses, neighborhood)

[jim turk]

We are thinking about moving to the Squirrel Hill area from Colorado. We have two boys, who would be going into 3rd and 6th grade next year. Is there a good area for renting a house where the kids can ride their bikes around on the streets? What schools are the best to consider? public/private? My wife likes to participate in the school activities. Would she be welcome there?

[PeterRabbit]

I don't think there's any atheist churches there.

[jcsinpgh]

There are plenty of streets in Squirrel Hill where kids ride bikes around and play street hockey and basketball (mine, for example!). I'd try to find a house more on the fringes of the neighborhood as it might be quieter, but there are nice streets all over. Depending on your price range you might want to start your search around Dalzell/Woodwell in NE Squirrel Hill, Fernwald/Anita/Gilda in SE Squirrel Hill, or around the northernmost block of Wightman. I'm sure there are plenty of other quiet streets that I'm not thinking of too.

I know of several family houses on the market lately that haven't been moving and have switched to wanting renters, so this is probably a good time to find a decent-sized rental in the area. Oh, and the public schools are Colfax (K-8) and Minadeo (K-5)/Sterrett (6-8)--I'll let someone with school-aged kids give their opinion, but in the meantime you could look them up if you wanted.

Hope this helps! I love it here and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's looking for a nice city neighborhood.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by jim turk

We are thinking about moving to the Squirrel Hill area from Colorado. We have two boys, who would be going into 3rd and 6th grade next year. Is there a good area for renting a house where the kids can ride their bikes around on the streets? What schools are the best to consider? public/private? We are not religious. My wife likes to participate in the school activities. Would she be welcome there?

We don't have kids so can't comment on schools, but a great neighborhood to look in to is Point Breeze, which borders Squirrel Hill; I'm especially thinking of the Reynolds Street area where the kids can ride their bikes at Frick Park

[Sideblinded]

Pittsburgh in general is so hilly I have found it hard to find any area where it it is easy to ride a bike! I would be afraid to ride in many areas, and unfortunetley would have to walk my bike back home in most areas. We should have bought a house on a flat street!

I live in south Squirrel Hill and my 9 year old can ride his bike, but it can be be dicey and steep at times. I take him to Frick or Minadeo (They have a huge fenced in blacktop) when he wants to ride his bike without me worrying. I am a worrier by nature though.

Public schools can be good/great depending on you, your kid and your attitude. I have a kid in 4th grade that attends PPS. He is in the gifted program and he is doing great this year. he did great last year too, but he was adjusting, and was not as comfortable as he is this year. The change was so much, I was looking into private schools. (Not because of his school, just because of his personality.) I am glad I did not change him, he is learning with a diverse group of kids, he is making friends based on who they are without regard to who they are in terms of race, socioeconomic status, or religion.

His ciriculum is quite a bit more challenging than his previous school was in Illinois. My husband does work for PPS, so I may seem to have a biased opinion, however, I would be the first person to yank my kid out of school if i thought it was bad, unsafe and not good for him.

Find a house on a flat street with little traffic, or take them to a park. it can be done I am a newbie with a kid, and I like it here in Squirrel Hill.

[BMSF]

Great location........Stay away from Public Schools in Pittsburgh most are flooded with drug dealers and parents who are also dealing to the students. The Waldorf School is excellent source for a proper education and sound environment and is Drug Free

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by Sideblinded

Pittsburgh in general is so hilly I have found it hard to find any area where it it is easy to ride a bike!

For someone who is a devoted cyclist, hills are seen as a welcome challenge.

[fleetiebelle]

I didn't want to start a whole new thread, but the Barnes & Noble in Squirrel Hill is closing. Barnes & Noble to close Squirrel Hill store
I just saw that the Panera next door is shut down as well.

Not that I'm a fan of the big chains, but if they can't make it in a bustling neighborhood like SqH, what's the hope for the little guys?

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

I didn't want to start a whole new thread, but the Barnes & Noble in Squirrel Hill is closing. Barnes & Noble to close Squirrel Hill store
I just saw that the Panera next door is shut down as well.

Not that I'm a fan of the big chains, but if they can't make it in a bustling neighborhood like SqH, what's the hope for the little guys?

Both always seemed busy. And you can't ever park on Forbes or Murray through the day in to the night, so I don't think everyone is hurting.

[wpipkins]

Originally Posted by BMSF

Great location........Stay away from Public Schools in Pittsburgh most are flooded with drug dealers and parents who are also dealing to the students. The Waldorf School is excellent source for a proper education and sound environment and is Drug Free

Is this person serious?????? Linden Magnet (German) is one of the best and diverse elementary schools in the Pittsburgh system. You are required to go through a lottery. Once in, all other children are grandfathered in.