Any thoughts on the Mexican War Streets? (Pittsburgh, Washington: rental, violent crime)

[merem]

I have heard interesting things on this area however I have also heard it is unsafe. Just wondering if it is worth checking out since there are so many young families living there.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by merem

I have heard interesting things on this area however I have also heard it is unsafe. Just wondering if it is worth checking out since there are so many young families living there.

I've lived here two years and still haven't been there. From all the pictures I've seen it is beautiful, but the North Side of town has been the most volataile this year, and that's what keeps me from going to take a look.

[slamont61]

I've always been a fan of that neighborhood yet the North Side has kind of kept me from ever having really considered living there.

I've been gone from Pittsburgh for 14 years though and times may have changed. The inner city doesn't chang much but the mode of safety in that hood may have.

I believe it to have been a warm family type of neighborhood and it may have succeeded, I would definately check it out before deciding against it.

I have always been a fan of the City in general, lived on the South Side, Mt Washington and in Highland Park. Each area had it's issues but each had a charm the other didn't. That is what makes Pittsburgh so unique. Had I not taken those chances I'd never have known how great each was.

[Awesomo.2000]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

I've lived here two years and still haven't been there. From all the pictures I've seen it is beautiful, but the North Side of town has been the most volataile this year, and that's what keeps me from going to take a look.

You can still drive and park in the Mexican War Streets and walk around and have no problems at all. I like to stop by and just walk around sometimes because it is one of Pittsburgh's most beautiful urban areas. I just feel bad that you lived here for two years and you haven't seen Pittsburgh's oldest, well kept, national historic neighborhood.

The Mexican War Streets are very well kept, nice, clean, historic, and revitalized. It reminds me of sections of Old City in Philly, but it is much smaller. However, they are some of the most awesome urban areas I have ever been in. I suggest taking a look.

Now with crime: I really can't explain because I don't live there. I just walk around them during weekend days every so often or when I go to the Matress factory. The last violence I remember is when there was a shooting at that bar near the Matress Factory and they had it shut down. I feel very safe there when walking around during the afternoon though, and most people who are there seem to be families. It also seems to have a lot of wealthy singles or homosexuals that live there.

[vtPGH]

Originally Posted by Awesomo.2000

I feel very safe there when walking around during the afternoon though, and most people who are there seem to be families. It also seems to have a lot of wealthy singles or homosexuals that live there.

As someone who lives in the War Streets, your assessment is pretty much right on. In regards to crime, we have a very active neighborhood watch group, Northside Safe Streets, that works in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Police and the local neighborhood council. Violent crime is not very frequent, but does happen every once and awhile. As stated above, there was a fatal shooting at the Manteca Bar last March, which has since shut down and is being converted by City of Asylum to a poetry and live performance cafe. In an honestly bizarre incident last April, the postman was robbed (of mail) and non-fatally shot on N. Taylor St.

The War Streets are very diverse, both ethnically and income wise, which the majority of residents such as myself see as a strength. However, the other side of that dynamic is that with a decent amount of low-income rental housing scattered throughout a still very well kept, aesthetically strong neighborhood, there are some shady characters whom trouble seems to follow. Its not a neighborhood for everyone, but for someone who is comfortable in urban settings, likes being able to walk places, and takes common sense precautions, it can work out just fine.

When you hear on the news about a 'shooting on the North Side,' just remember that the North Side is a very large area with 18 different neighborhoods, and the majority of violence is happening farther up the hill in Perry Hilltop and Northview Heights, or a mile or so to the west in parts of Manchester. Neighborhoods closer to downtown like Deutschtown, Allegheny West, the War Streets, and the Allegheny Center complex have become much safer than 20 years ago when they were legitimately rough.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by vtPGH

When you hear on the news about a 'shooting on the North Side,' just remember that the North Side is a very large area with 18 different neighborhoods, and the majority of violence is happening farther up the hill in Perry Hilltop and Northview Heights, or a mile or so to the west in parts of Manchester. Neighborhoods closer to downtown like Deutschtown, Allegheny West, the War Streets, and the Allegheny Center complex have become much safer than 20 years ago when they were legitimately rough.

Thats a very helpful bit of information. What streets in particular make up the Mexican War area, and what zip codes?

[vtPGH]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

Thats a very helpful bit of information. What streets in particular make up the Mexican War area, and what zip codes?

The heart of the 'historic district' is bounded by W. North Ave. to the south, Arch St. to the east, Brighton Rd. to the west, and Jacksonia Ave. to the north. There are streets beyond Arch and Jacksonia that are considered the War Streets as well, but they're more hit and miss as far as fixed up houses vs. empty lots and rundown properties. I think all of these streets are in the 15212 zip code.

[Awesomo.2000]

Mexican War Streets

MexicanWarStreets.org

[RockLobster]

I just bought a pad up above the Mexican War Street area on the hill top. Besides having a view greater than Mount Washington and quite possibly one of the best urban skyscapes in all America, I find myself a huge fan of the War Street area which is my close neighbor. As noted prior it is a neighborhood made up of all types of folks. Truly a very urban mix is to be found here.

The Pittsburgh media ( tv news, paper and radio news ) does a lousy job of properly informing the public of specific location information when concerning this whole section of Pittsburgh. For some reason the North Side of the city is given a generic identification. Where one or two street's are known for violent crimes in Manchester, local news will continue to refer to the specific location as 'The North Side' In honesty local news outlets are guilty of being lazy for not presenting specific geograhical identity to such. This generic identity also is common place with many citizens of 'greater Pittsburgh' when talking and identifying the North Side. For years the side of the city has been called 'The North Side or The Near North Side' Perhaps the annexation of Old Allegheny to Pittsburgh created the name mess we have now days. My guess is with improving neighborhoods each will retain a name that is worthy in self identity.

[saturdayskids]

I've lived here for 22 years and I don't think I've ever heard of this area, even.


I don't think.. Maybe I have, but according to Google, I haven't been in this area.


I know what to do this weekend, then