Moving to Pittsburgh, 4 teens, big dog (Lebanon, West View: hotel, affordable houses, safe area)

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

Also, living east of the city forces you to go through the Sq. Hill tunnel which isn't fun.

Nobody living east of the city is forced to go through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. There are probably a hundred ways to get into the city or to the airport without going on the Parkway East. It often might make more sense for people living in Churchill and Forrest Hills to use the parkway east, but your generalized statements about the entire area east of the city is inaccurate.

[robrobrob]

You are being nitpicky Hopes. Of course there are alternative routes that you can take to avoid the Sq. Hill tunnels but you have to admit that the downside to living to the East is the Sq. Hill tunnels. Same goes for the Fort Pitt Tunnels, Route 28, etc.

[Copanut]

One of the reasons I moved out of the East was to get away from those tunnels. Yes, you can weave your way through Forest Hills and Wilkinsburg and take the back way into the city, but the quickest is the Parkway East.

[Hopes]

As a native Pittsburgher, I mostly take alternate routes.

It all depends on the east end neighborhood. It wouldn't make sense to take the Squirrel Hill tunnels for anyone living in Bloomfield, Friendship, Highland Park, Shadyside, most areas of Squirrel Hill --- just to name a few of the east neighborhoods. Liberty Avenue, 5th Avenue, or Bigalow Blvd are much more direct routes from those neighborhoods than the parkway east. There are many other more convenient alteratives too.

[PeterRabbit]

What's wrong with Rt. 28? I hear complaints and don't know what the problem is other than it slows down around the 40th St. Bridge. I don't go to town often but a couple months ago I had to go there for business. I left Oakmont at 4 P.M. on a Friday and was back home at 5. I was also able to park for free on 6th near Penn where I was going. Did I just have a lucky day? Will Rt. 28 eventually bypass the old part into North Side? It's my favorite hwy. in the area.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

Did I just have a lucky day? Will Rt. 28 eventually bypass the old part into North Side?

During rush hour, I get into town within 10 minutes most days, 20 minutes is the worst. I think people don't like it because it's narrow and it turns into one lane at the route 8 interchange so traffic slows down going north past route 28. Thankfully, the endless construction will eventually widen the road and provide more lanes.

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

Will Rt. 28 eventually bypass the old part into North Side?

They already added a second ramp, right past the northside ramp, that bypasses northside. You can still take the old way through northside if you want.

[LAMBSN]

Originally Posted by Luv4ThePaws

Thanks, Hopes, so much for such good information! We appreciate it greatly!

LAMBSN- What are the other areas that will offer the charm with more affordability? Areas like Hopes already mentioned? Thanks for your personal input as well! I have seen a lot of 50's style still around in houses up there and I am guessing it is from people living there all their lives and now selling to retire? I may be wrong...

I know others are in the same boat that we are, so your advice is helping us all! Thanks so much!

If you decide to live east of Pgh, you can avoid the Sq Hill tunnels or you will soon learn the time of day to hit them. I leave near them - no problems with them.

To get back to the previous question. I agree with some of the locations that Hopes mentioned but if you're looking for 2/3 acre, why not try Cranberry? It's outside the city, I believe the taxes are cheaper and a lot have moved their recently. The houses are newer there, so you won't have much remodeling, yes any house will need some decorating touch o painting, etc to get the charm you want.

[Luv4ThePaws]

Thanks LAMBSN! We will look up Cranberry right now!

[onwardandupward]

No offense to those living there, but Cranberry is suburbia personified. Strip malls, endless traffic, new housing developments built without any thought of connection to each other. You could get the 2/3 acre new house you want, but you definitely won't get the charming walkable neighborhood you also want. As Hopes mentioned in a previous post, you're going to have to decide which is more important to you, because the two don't usually come together.

Other have mentioned Oakmont - I think you would love it there. It is definitely what you're looking for in a neighborhood - walkable, lovely park, boutiques and non-chain restaurants, local library, the best bakery in Pittsburgh... Regarding the house, you'd have to make some concessions. Taking down old walpaper, painting, even remodeling are things that can be done over time. You really CAN live well with a 70's style kitchen When things are structurally sound, Pittsburghers, being practial and generally frugal people, don't feel the need to keep up with the Joneses.

[Luv4ThePaws]

Originally Posted by onwardandupward

No offense to those living there, but Cranberry is suburbia personified. Strip malls, endless traffic, new housing developments built without any thought of connection to each other. You could get the 2/3 acre new house you want, but you definitely won't get the charming walkable neighborhood you also want. As Hopes mentioned in a previous post, you're going to have to decide which is more important to you, because the two don't usually come together.

Other have mentioned Oakmont - I think you would love it there. It is definitely what you're looking for in a neighborhood - walkable, lovely park, boutiques and non-chain restaurants, local library, the best bakery in Pittsburgh... Regarding the house, you'd have to make some concessions. Taking down old walpaper, painting, even remodeling are things that can be done over time. You really CAN live well with a 70's style kitchen When things are structurally sound, Pittsburghers, being practial and generally frugal people, don't feel the need to keep up with the Joneses.

We looked up Cranberry and felt the same way! We weren't impressed with what we saw, but welcomed the suggestion all the same! We seem to really like Oakmont from what we have seen, so thanks! We'll see it in person Monday!

We were hoping to avoid all that painting, de-wallpapering (is that a word?!) and general nonsense that goes into updating since we have been doing that for three long years! We are glad we have done what we have so far since it will only increase the value of our home and make it more marketable since many people don't like updating. With every home, you change it to suit your individual tastes and preferences, but we were just hoping not to have a 1950's pink bathroom and 1950's oven. Seriously- some of the appliances you guys have up there are insane!! How much are you energy bills running fridges from 1970?!