Greenfield questions (Pittsburgh, Oakland: affordable apartments, houses, safe area)

[hawkorhandsaw]

Hello all! I am going to be relocating to Pittsburgh in August to attend grad school. I have been trying to search out affordable apartments via the internet (while avoiding many of the property management companies, as I have been advised), and I am thinking about taking a room in a shared house in Greenfield. On Murray, in the Loretta/Hazelwood area.

Now, I am familiar with Pittsburgh, but not with Greenfield specifically. I imagine that it is nicer up towards Sq. Hill, but what about the lower sections? Still safe? This location seems to be very convenient for the buses (I will be busing back from Oakland in the evenings) and for the grocery store.

Any opinions would be very much appreciated! Thanks.

[tmorrisn]

I'm not familiar with those streets in particular, but here is what I know.
I'm a grad student and know people who live on Mirror and Lilac. Those streets are nice and safe. At the same time, I have heard that Hazelwood is not a safe area. The problem is, I'm not sure where Greenfield ends and Hazelwood starts. I would make sure you visit those areas and feel comfortable before you decide to move there.

[hawkorhandsaw]

Thanks, tmorrisn. I am planning to visit, just to make sure. My knowledge of Hazelwood is what is concerning me also--does it begin at Hazelwood Avenue? The house is near to Hazelwood Ave, but at the same time, it is just as close to Squirrel Hill South and to the Greenfield Giant Eagle...

[likepgh]

The intersection of Murray Ave and Hazelwood Ave is still Greenfield, on the border of South Squirrel Hill; in fact, the shopping center where Murray dead-ends at Hazelwood Ave is called "Squirrel Hill Plaza." Murray Ave between Loretta and Hazelwood is not the most beautiful block in the world, but it is convenient for Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the Waterfront and has pretty frequent bus service to Oakland.

Think of Hazelwood Ave at that point as "the road that leads to Hazelwood" not "a street in Hazelwood."

[mhen]

Originally Posted by hawkorhandsaw

Hello all! I am going to be relocating to Pittsburgh in August to attend grad school. I have been trying to search out affordable apartments via the internet (while avoiding many of the property management companies, as I have been advised), and I am thinking about taking a room in a shared house in Greenfield. On Murray, in the Loretta/Hazelwood area.

Now, I am familiar with Pittsburgh, but not with Greenfield specifically. I imagine that it is nicer up towards Sq. Hill, but what about the lower sections? Still safe? This location seems to be very convenient for the buses (I will be busing back from Oakland in the evenings) and for the grocery store.

Any opinions would be very much appreciated! Thanks.

Hi, hawkorhandsaw.

I currently live in the last block of Murray Avenue (between Loretta and Hazelwood). I've never had any problems on Murray, but I will tell you it is very busy. I know this sounds obvious, but there is always action outside. Busses and congestion because everyone tries to turn left from Murray on to Hazelwood. I live by the banks and people are always at the ATMs.

I've never had any trouble with parking, it's nice that there is not really any houses on the other side of the street. I have gotten 2 or 3 parking tickets by parking at the parking meters all day long when people park their cars on the non-metered side and catch the bus to Oakland/town.

It really is a nice, convenient location to get groceries, go to the Waterfront, up to Squirrel Hill, or catch the bus to Oakland or downtown.