Crafton Heights v. New Kensington (Pittsburgh, Butler: sales, real estate, big house)

[dastars]

Hello all; I've searched around, and the general consensus about these two areas is "depends on the block." I'm hoping that someone(s) could be kind enough to help the wife and I pick between the two.

Considerations: no kids, no plans for them in this house
Nightlife isn't a priority
Shopping proximity would be nice - I believe that's covered by the Mills and Robinson Town Centre.
Commute - I go to Warrendale, she goes to Oakland.

The intersections we're looking at are:
Crafton Heights - Stratmore Ave. and Elmont St.(just off Crafton Blvd))
New Ken - Ridge Ave. and Locust St. (just off Freeport).

We visited New Ken, and it seemed nice and "up the hill" - I know downtown needs help. I'm not sure about Crafton Heights, and whether this is the "okay" part or the "oh no" part. I do know that it's perilously close to the Creekhouse, but we're already near the Beer Emporium, and budget accordingly

I'm also open to suggestions of other neighborhoods that may be similar, where homes are pretty cheap (even if they need work) that would fit our (admittedly loose) criteria.

Thanks in advance!

[dannythekid]

Those two places are on totally different ends of the geographic spectrum. I live right near Crafton Heights and it is a nice area. There are a lot of big houses on Stratmore that can be had for a good price. This area is close to all your major areas (Shopping, Entertainment, Downtown) and thus I would say this would be a better option than New Ken unless you are working out in that area.

[PeterRabbit]

Upper New Ken has modern shopping along Tarentum Bridge Road and Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell which has a lot of restaurants. The Mills is only a few miles if you need it. Sales tax is cheaper in Westmoreland County and so are real estate taxes if you're buying.

Driving to Oakland from New Ken would be time consuming whichever way you choose. For Warrendale I guess you'd take the turnpike which is about 7 miles from New Ken. in Harmar. Monroeville is maybe closer but you'd have to love traffic and would have an extra 9 miles on the pike.

I believe New Ken's reputation is much worse than it actually is. I've been around it and driving through it, shopping downtown, for many years. The worst thing I ever saw was a black guy pimping a young white girl downtown in the middle of the afternoon. That was funny, not dangerous. I don't know where Ridge and Locust are. If they are off Freeport you're across the river from what I call New Ken. The Tarentum area along Freeport Rd. looks very run down.

Verona might be similar to New Ken except it's not very run down yet.

[AVYinzer]

DO NOT move to New Ken. It is everything they say it is and then some. Not to mention it is not remotely close to either Oakland or Warrendale. If you are looking for an affordable place, how about Sharpsburg or Verona?

[Copanut]

New Ken was a lot safer when the mob ran it.

[AVYinzer]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

New Ken was a lot safer when the mob ran it.

I totally agree. It is now hoodlum central.

[aveojohn]

I've lived here for about 8 yrs now (Pranassus) and havn't had any problems,but it is a rough town and best to stay away from the New Ken/Arnold border(not safe). Always go "up the hill" for good areas in New Ken.

[carebear76]

Originally Posted by dastars

Hello all; I've searched around, and the general consensus about these two areas is "depends on the block." I'm hoping that someone(s) could be kind enough to help the wife and I pick between the two.

Considerations: no kids, no plans for them in this house
Nightlife isn't a priority
Shopping proximity would be nice - I believe that's covered by the Mills and Robinson Town Centre.
Commute - I go to Warrendale, she goes to Oakland.

The intersections we're looking at are:
Crafton Heights - Stratmore Ave. and Elmont St.(just off Crafton Blvd))
New Ken - Ridge Ave. and Locust St. (just off Freeport).

We visited New Ken, and it seemed nice and "up the hill" - I know downtown needs help. I'm not sure about Crafton Heights, and whether this is the "okay" part or the "oh no" part. I do know that it's perilously close to the Creekhouse, but we're already near the Beer Emporium, and budget accordingly

I'm also open to suggestions of other neighborhoods that may be similar, where homes are pretty cheap (even if they need work) that would fit our (admittedly loose) criteria.

Thanks in advance!

My vote is for new Ken.....Crafton/Crafton Heights is not the greatest area. Have you thought about Etna or Millvale? Are you looking for urban suburbs? What about the Deer Lakes area?

[badguykc]

Originally Posted by dastars

Hello all; I've searched around, and the general consensus about these two areas is "depends on the block." I'm hoping that someone(s) could be kind enough to help the wife and I pick between the two.

Considerations: no kids, no plans for them in this house
Nightlife isn't a priority
Shopping proximity would be nice - I believe that's covered by the Mills and Robinson Town Centre.
Commute - I go to Warrendale, she goes to Oakland.

The intersections we're looking at are:
Crafton Heights - Stratmore Ave. and Elmont St.(just off Crafton Blvd))
New Ken - Ridge Ave. and Locust St. (just off Freeport).

We visited New Ken, and it seemed nice and "up the hill" - I know downtown needs help. I'm not sure about Crafton Heights, and whether this is the "okay" part or the "oh no" part. I do know that it's perilously close to the Creekhouse, but we're already near the Beer Emporium, and budget accordingly

I'm also open to suggestions of other neighborhoods that may be similar, where homes are pretty cheap (even if they need work) that would fit our (admittedly loose) criteria.

Thanks in advance!

I lived in NK/Arnold for a year and a half. I'd avoid it altogether. I'd even avoid "nicer" Lower Burrell. You'd spend more time and gas money getting to work than anything else.

If you want to live in the city of Pittsburgh, check out Lawrenceville (right off 40th Street Exit of PA 28). It's close to Oakland for your wife's commute, and it's an easy drive down 28 to I-279 North to 79 to Warrendale.

15 minutes or less from Lawrenceville will put you on McKnight Road (home to numerous "big-box" retailers and the massive Ross Park Mall).

There are homes in Lawrenceville that need rehabbed, but they won't lighten your wallet much and it's a safe, friendly neighborhood (I've walked Lawrenceville at times varying from 6am to 2:30 am, and NOTHING ever happened to me) with a cool little business district (Butler Street).

Check it out, and best of luck!

[robrobrob]

I have no idea why you picked these two neighborhoods. As someone said earlier they are on two opposite sides of the city. Why did you pick these two? There is shopping everywhere. Cheap is a vague term. What is your budget? What type of house do you want, row house, 4 bd 2 1/2 bath colonial etc.? Many older neighborhoods are affordable but the houses are smaller. Wouldn't you want something between Warrendale and Oakland? Maybe off of 279?