Know Pittsburgh? Please help!! (Allentown, Washington: to rent, crime, houses)

[Miaiam]

Hi all, could you please tell me a bit about Pittsburgh? I am thinking about moving and I would like to rent a house/ apt in one of the following neighborhoods, but I am quite clueless and most concerned about 3 things: safety, public transportation to universities and conveniences/services nearby. I already know about Squirrel Hill, Oakland and Shadyside, but how would you recommend Schenley Heights, Mount Washington, Bloomfield, Polish Hill, and Morningside? Within these neighborhoods, is there any area I should avoid? Any comments are much appreciated. Thanks!!

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by Miaiam

Hi all, could you please tell me a bit about Pittsburgh? I am thinking about moving and I would like to rent a house/ apt in one of the following neighborhoods, but I am quite clueless and most concerned about 3 things: safety, public transportation to universities and conveniences/services nearby. I already know about Squirrel Hill, Oakland and Shadyside, but how would you recommend Schenley Heights, Mount Washington, Bloomfield, Polish Hill, and Morningside? Within these neighborhoods, is there any area I should avoid? Any comments are much appreciated. Thanks!!

The only area you hear about any significant crime out of the neighborhoods you mentioned is Mount Washington. It has it's nice parts and offers some great dinning and vistas of the city, but it's had it's share of shootings/stabbings in 2008.

[nuwaver88]

I highly recommend Bloomfield-Pittsburgh's "Little Italy." It is adjacent to Shadyside, but less expensive. Here you will find a mixture of students renting because of it's proximity to Oakland(Pitt and CMU) and home owners, many of whom are of Italian descent. It also has some decent coffee houses, pizza shops, sandwich shops, diners, Asian restaurants. There is a nice Italian store called Donatelli's.. It really has everything you need. I still think it is Pittsburgh's most underrated neighborhood for the above reasons. I think that will change soon.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

I highly recommend Bloomfield-Pittsburgh's "Little Italy." It is adjacent to Shadyside, but less expensive. Here you will find a mixture of students renting because of it's proximity to Oakland(Pitt and CMU) and home owners, many of whom are of Italian descent. It also has some decent coffee houses, pizza shops, sandwich shops, diners, Asian restaurants. There is a nice Italian store called Donatelli's.. It really has everything you need. I still think it is Pittsburgh's most underrated neighborhood for the above reasons. I think that will change soon.

I agree with Bloomfield. The only thing I would caution anyone with Bloomfield is lack of parking. We nearly bought a house in Bloomfield over a year ago. The price was right and it was beautiful beyond belief. There was, however, no driveway, and we both have nice cars, and having parking means as much to me.

[fleetiebelle]

I lived in Mt. Washington for six years, and it is relatively safe as far as city neighborhoods go. The areas close to the Virginia Ave/Shiloh Ave business districts and towards the Duquesne Heights area (which gets lumped in to Mt. W.--all the restaurants with a view on Grandview Ave. are in Duquesne Heights) are nicer than the areas closest to Allentown and Beltzhoover.

[robrobrob]

It all depends on you budget. All of the areas you cited to are fairly nice. Shadyside is the most expensive. Squirrell Hill is probably next. Both of these areas are pretty easy to get to school from. If you live in either of these areas you can get by without a car pretty easily. I wouldn't want to commute to Oakland from Mt. Washington on public transportation.

[slamont61]

I loved living on Mt Washington for the easy access into the city. Both inclines transfer to a bus or light rail.

That said, I lived right on Grandview Ave and was driven away, litterally by the pounding steros of cruising cars all summer long. My entire house shook with vibrations and I had my own car dented many times by people turning around in my driveway.

Take that bad stuff away and you're set.

Where did you get the list of areas that you desire to live in? Each of them have spots that are ok and also parts you'd likely want to avoid. Will you be using public transportation, will you be working in the city? Do you need to park your car? Do you have childeren? These are all valid questions to think over when looking at specific areas.

[Katiana]

I honestly think the best way to find out what's right for you is to go out there and look around. Everybody so far has given good advice.

[Miaiam]

Parking would be nice but is not an absolute need. I do not have children.
I preferably will be using public transportation.
Let me know the specific areas I should avoid in each of these neighborhoods.

Thanks much!

[Miaiam]

I'm sorry guys! I forgot to ask you about Lawrenceville and Stanton Heights area ? How do you like them ?

Thanks!