Musician moving to Pittsburgh, looking for advice (Bloomfield, Lawrenceville: low crime, loan)

[shutdownthefed]

hello everybody who reads this...

I have decided to move to Pittsburgh and would like to know...is there any particular area where artists/musicians tend to live? If not, can anyone suggest some areas that would be good for me? I'm in my mid 20's and would prefer to live in the actual city of pittsburgh rather then on the outskirts...but if there is a cool area outside the city I guess I would consider it. I have a lot of music gear..so a low crime area is a must! I would probably drive off a bridge if any of my stuff was stolen. I will be living with my sister, she got approved here in Maryland for a home loan of $115,000. I'm hoping she will get approved for the same in Pittsburgh. Are there any single family homes in the city of pittsburgh? Or just row houses? Can she get a cool row house in her price range in a low crime area in the city?

Does anyone know a website I can get a relocation packet off of? Also, does anyone know what kind of first time home buyer programs are available in pittsburgh and where I might get info on them. Thanks in advance for any information. I know you all are probably sick of all the Marylanders moving up there to PA, but it's getting way too expensive down here among other things...

[Chichappens]

South Side would be your ideal location

[gameguy56]

Either that or Lawrenceville. Houses on streets numbered higher than 50th should be VERY inexpensive, and the area is generally safe.

[ctoocheck]

You should be able to get some relocation info from Visit Pittsburgh. Here's a link to a form to send away for info.

I concur that the Southside is probably the best, with Lawrenceville as second. Both of these neighborhoods are mostly rowhomes. You might also check out Bloomfield (though the old Italian grandmas might get annoyed by the music :-p), Garfield (kind of "up-and-coming"), or Friendship, possibly.

I know you all are probably sick of all the Marylanders moving up there to PA

Really what we're sick of is Pittsbughers moving to bloody Maryland!! The DC area in particular probably has the highest number of Pgh ex-pats in the country.

[Hopes]

I'd say no to Garfield for now. The crime is still high for the OP's standards. Regardless of where you live, it would be wise to insure the equipment.

[BrianTH]

As people are noting, the Lawrenceville/Bloomfield/Friendship corridor is popular with artist/musician types and usually pretty affordable. You might also check out Polish Hill--it is a variation on the same theme (it is a former blue-collar neighborhood being colonized by some students and artist-types looking for inexpensive city housing), and probably the safest place in the area for your gear.

[ferrarisnowday]

Are there any single family homes in the city of pittsburgh? Or just row houses?

Wouldn't a row house be a single family home?

Anyway, with your budget you won't have any trouble finding something in the Southside or East End (especially Lawrenceville and Bloomfield as others have said). I'd say the southside has a more generally "young" vibe to it where the East End neighborhoods mentioned have an artsy/bohemian feel to them. Also be aware that the southside is a drinking destination, I don't know if that positively or negatively affects you.

Shadyside might be able to give you what you're looking for, and is nicer and safer than the other areas, but it costs more.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

Wouldn't a row house be a single family home?

I'm guessing the OP meant a detached SFH. Of which there are plenty in the City in general, although some of the neighborhoods we are talking about are more oriented toward rowhouses (particularly on the affordable end).

[bbrian12]

i would recommend the south hills
(pittsburgh suburbs)
baldwin, brentwood, castle shannon, dormont, w. mifflin
all nice neighborhoods, all affordable
you can get a really nice house in a nice area for your price rance

some of the city neighborhoods are nice but they are usually a few blocks from the bad neighborhoods

[bbrian12]

what kind of music do you play?
what instrument do you play?