Forest Hills, any insight? (Pittsburgh, Reading: real estate, rent, homes)

[JohnFest]

Hello all,

I am looking to relocate. I grew up in Pleasant Hills and currently rent in Clairton.

To avoid rambling, I am looking for a starter home, $50-80k range. I work in the South Side, my fiancee works in Brentwood. Having always lived in the South Hills, we are pretty unfamiliar with the east suburbs. For the most part, everyone says "some good areas, some bad areas" regardless of what area is being discussed. We were looking at a few properties in Penn Hills, but frankly the forum discussions regarding Penn Hills have scared the missus away. I noticed occasional mention of Forest Hills being a "nicer" alternative.

Forest Hills Boro, PA, 15221 - MLS ID#751399 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

What is the area around this property like? I hear negative things about the school district, but also that there is a charter school in the area which is very good. My daughter is only 2, so we have a few years to work out those details.

Thanks to everyone!

[deathegg88]

I can give you my two cents:
my ex gf lives in Forest Hills. In my years of dating her, I actually thought her neighborhood was pretty nice; quiet street, not much traffic, pleasant people.
I know when I return to Pittsburgh, FH is one of the places I'll look for a house.

[Copanut]

I lived there years ago and still have friends in the area. It's still a nice area with affordable housing. The Twp. has a lot of community functions and the public pool is great. But all of my friends that live there send their kids to private schools. Woodland Hills ain't the greatest.

[Pitman]

Just a thought, but if you are willing to spend 80K why don't you look in Brentwood which has much better schools than Forest Hills Or Penn Hills. Your fiancee works there and its minutes from the South Side. The commute on 376 from the east won't be pleasant.

2008 Median Home Price

Brentwood 80k
Forest Hills 95.5k
Penn Hills 68.9k


2007-2008 School District Report Card

Percent students proficient or above

Brentwood SD Math 77 Reading 79
Penn Hills SD Math 57 Reading 59
Woodland Hills Sd Math 51 Reading 52

[ainulinale]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

Woodland Hills ain't the greatest.

Ditto this. My family moved out of Churchill because of the Woodland Hills school district.

[JohnFest]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, especially pitman for the detailed analysis! I was rooting for Brentwood, but my fiancee grew up there and would prefer a change of scenery.