Moving Mom up for a transplant. Need Help! (Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg: transplants, apartment complex)

[envirochick]

Hi Everyone. I need to move my mom up to Pitt for a year or so while waiting for and during the after care for an organ transplant through UPMC. She and her husband are in their late 60's. I'm thinking of a two bedroom apartment or house within about 45 minutes of UPMC. In addition, the residence would need to be single story or if an apartment it would need to be first floor or have elevators. From what I can tell, I can't afford Sq. Hill or Shadyside.
I've been told by a collegue who lives there that the North area near Cranberry is where people are moving, but I'm not sure if this is correct information. I've seen decent complexes in Butler, Monroeville and Oakdale, but I know very little of Pitt except for Oakland and the Shadyside area. It would be nice for them to be in a quaint, safe, age appropriate area not far from hospitals. Where do I begin?

[Geeo]

My first suggestion would be to contact UPMC (412-647-2345) to see what resources they have. I know that there are other families staying in Pittsburgh while waiting for transplants, and there has to be something available that's affordable and close to Oakland. Yes, Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are not cheap, but there are neighborhoods in the area that are more affordable. Good luck.

[Hopes]

Don't move all the way to Cranberry. The commute would be outragous for someone who has to travel into Oakland regularly for medical visits. I recommend Shaler. The commute to Oakland is 15 minutes. There are plenty of ranches in Shaler. You can buy one in the low 100k range. Or you might be able to find one for rent.

If you're only going to rent, you're going to be at the mercy of wherever the ranches are available. Look to the older suburban neighborhoods for a ranch---because the newer areas like Cranberry are filled with newer houses that are much larger than they'll need. Plus, it can be just as expensive in Cranberry as in Shadyside.

[envirochick]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Don't move all the way to Cranberry. The commute would be outragous for someone who has to travel into Oakland regularly for medical visits. I recommend Shaler. The commute to Oakland is 15 minutes. There are plenty of ranches in Shaler. You can buy one in the low 100k range. Or you might be able to find one for rent.

If you're only going to rent, you're going to be at the mercy of wherever the ranches are available. Look to the older suburban neighborhoods for a ranch---because the newer areas like Cranberry are filled with newer houses that are much larger than they'll need. Plus, it can be just as expensive in Cranberry as in Shadyside.

Thanks Hopes. Unfortunately UPMC doesn't have family housing as some other transplant centers do, but they are affiliated with a couple of places in Oakland and Shadyside. Cheapest monthly rental is about 1350.00 going that route. That's out of our price range.

We feel it's more practical to rent as so much can go wrong either while waiting for the transplant, during the transplant or for a period of time after the transplant. I'll check out Shaler. Are there any other nice, safe, communities within a thirty minute commute that might fit the bill. Also, I was wondering, when you talk about travel time from, for instance, Cranberry to Oakland, how long would the commute be?

[claremarie]

I'd look into Ross and West View, two North Hills communities that are near Shaler. The housing is reasonably priced, though I don't know about the rental market for single-family homes. You would have more luck finding an apartment.
My grandmother lived at the Chateau Perry apartment complex on Perry Highway in Ross before she entered a nursing home. It has an elevator, and the website indicated that short-term and furnished apartments are available, which might fit your needs. It is a few minutes to I-279, which puts it within 30 minutes of Oakland, especially during non-rush hour.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by envirochick

Thanks Hopes. Unfortunately UPMC doesn't have family housing as some other transplant centers do, but they are affiliated with a couple of places in Oakland and Shadyside. Cheapest monthly rental is about 1350.00 going that route. That's out of our price range.

We feel it's more practical to rent as so much can go wrong either while waiting for the transplant, during the transplant or for a period of time after the transplant. I'll check out Shaler. Are there any other nice, safe, communities within a thirty minute commute that might fit the bill.

I'm going to check into a few things for you. I'll post or PM tomorrow.

Originally Posted by envirochick

Also, I was wondering, when you talk about travel time from, for instance, Cranberry to Oakland, how long would the commute be?

40 minutes without rush hour traffic. Downtown is more accessible than Oakland. I think you'll be best to live 15 to 20 minutes away. I have a friend who survived cancer. Sometimes she felt as if she didn't have the strength to ride into Oakland for her appointments. She only lived in Hampton (about a 30 minute trip), but it was a long time to spend in the car when she was feeling weak. Depending on where you are in Ross, it could take significantly longer than Shaler. Try to find a house as close the Highland Park Bridge as possible to shorten your commute into Oakland. And having easy access to route 28 or route 8 will also be beneficial in your getting to the Highland Park Bridge more quickly.

[envirochick]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I'm going to check into a few things for you. I'll post or PM tomorrow.


40 minutes without rush hour traffic. Downtown is more accessible than Oakland. I think you'll be best to live 15 to 20 minutes away. I have a friend who survived cancer. Sometimes she felt as if she didn't have the strength to ride into Oakland for her appointments. She only lived in Hampton (about a 30 minute trip), but it was a long time to spend in the car when she was feeling weak. Depending on where you are in Ross, it could take significantly longer than Shaler. Try to find a house as close the Highland Park Bridge as possible to shorten your commute into Oakland. And having easy access to route 28 or route 8 will also be beneficial in your getting to the Highland Park Bridge more quickly.

Yes, I understand that just doing something simple like getting in a car and driving can be very trying. This is a very tough operation, with a long, hard recovery, but it is our only hope. Thanks for being so conscientious. I found Shaler on a map and am surprised it would only be 15-20 minute drive to Oakland. I notice there's a Beth Shalom cemetary near Shaler, would there also be a temple and a Jewish population there?

If Shaler is within a decent distance would Lawrenceville and others areas south of the river be appropriate? I'm checking into Shadyside and Sq. Hill more closely, as well as Oakland (although I didn't want them to wind up in a student type apartment or home). How about Highland Park, Point Breeze, Morningside and areas near Frick Park such as Wilkinsburg and Edgewood?

Sorry for all the questions. I'll await your post or PM. Thanks Hopes.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by envirochick

Yes, I understand that just doing something simple like getting in a car and driving can be very trying. This is a very tough operation, with a long, hard recovery, but it is our only hope. Thanks for being so conscientious. I found Shaler on a map and am surprised it would only be 15-20 minute drive to Oakland.

It's definitely that close to oakand.

Originally Posted by envirochick

I notice there's a Beth Shalom cemetary near Shaler, would there also be a temple and a Jewish population there?

Although there are at least two temples in the immediate area, there's not a noticable Jewish population in the area like you would see in Squirrel Hill. I do have Jewish friends who do live in the area though. .

Originally Posted by envirochick

If Shaler is within a decent distance would Lawrenceville and others areas south of the river be appropriate? I'm checking into Shadyside and Sq. Hill more closely, as well as Oakland (although I didn't want them to wind up in a student type apartment or home). How about Highland Park, Point Breeze, Morningside and areas near Frick Park such as Wilkinsburg and Edgewood?

I believe it will be harder to find an affordable one story home in those areas. Ranches are more typical of suburban living than city living. You might get lucky though.

Originally Posted by envirochick

Sorry for all the questions. I'll await your post or PM. Thanks Hopes.

I'll send a PM right now explaining my idea.