Observatory Hill? (Pittsburgh, Bellevue, Lawrenceville: house, transfer, school districts)

[jhprentiss]

Hey--

We're relocating from Boston, FINALLY sold our house there (again) and are looking for affordable housing near the city. We've found a few really beautiful and inexpensive homes in Observatory Hill, but don't know anything about it. It seems it has a lovely park and is convenient to 279.

People have described it to me as "in transition." Can anyone elaborate on this? Is it safe to have little kids living there?

And what is the tax situation there? Transfer tax? Wage tax? Property taxes?

Thanks.

[TrayyBall]

I don't know about observatory hill, but it does border some bad areas of the north side such as perry hiltop, manchester, ect.

[louiemoon0810]

Observatory Hill is a really beautiful area...big old homes, the park and close to the city. However, to say it is in transition - perhaps, but having lived there 10 years ago, and now having friends who bought there and are presently living there....there is a different feel to the area. There is a lot to be said about familiarity and how it provides one with a sense of security, but, honestly, I don't think I would move back there. Maybe check out Bellevue....5 minutes easy commute to the city - old homes, dry town, a good mix of older and young residents -

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by louiemoon0810

Observatory Hill is a really beautiful area...big old homes, the park and close to the city. However, to say it is in transition - perhaps, but having lived there 10 years ago, and now having friends who bought there and are presently living there....there is a different feel to the area. There is a lot to be said about familiarity and how it provides one with a sense of security, but, honestly, I don't think I would move back there.

Can you provide specifics as to why you wouldn't move back there?

[Drover]

If you're looking in that area, it seems hard to go wrong with Brighton Heights, which is just to the west of Observatory Hill and (IIRC) just south of the previously suggested Bellevue.

[kettlepot]

Drover, can you say why you like Brighton Heights in comparison to Bellevue? Won't you have higher taxes actually living in the Burgh? Given the higher cost, what will you get in BH? Better architecture?

[Drover]

It's been a long, long time since I've been in the Bellevue/Brighton Heights area, BUT -- what I continue to read and observe from a distance about that area seems to support what I remember of it. Best I know the architecture from Brighton to Bellvue is pretty indistinguishable; in fact if I recall correctly it's pretty hard to tell when you've crossed from one into the other. Property taxes are actually higher in Bellevue than Pittsburgh proper by over 10%. If I had to put a kid in either of the respective school districts, I'd gladly pay the extra 10%. I don't really favor Brighton Heights over Bellevue or vice-versa; it's just another area to consider in the vicinity of Observatory Hill.

[jhprentiss]

But I'm not exactly understanding why we don't like Observatory Hill?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by jhprentiss

But I'm not exactly understanding why we don't like Observatory Hill?

Because Observatory Hill can be sketchy in areas, and borders a good bit of territory that is beyond "sketchy." Thing is, I don't think anyone here knows enough about it to identify where the better parts are and the not-so-better parts are. My impression of O-Hill, albeit from 10 years ago, was that it seemed to almost be on a street-by-street basis.

[jhprentiss]

Okay, how about Lawrenceville? We've found some interesting property there as well. We have a couple of little kids, so we need an area that they will be able to wander around in without us being worried.