Re-Locating For Job In Cranberry Twp. (Pittsburgh, Zelienople: rentals, mortgage, house)

[Johio]

I just accepted an offer for a position in Cranberry Twp. I don't know much about the Pittsburgh area except for what little I saw during my travels to and from the two interviews. I will be re-locating in August. I'm looking for something $650 or under. Ideally, my preference would be a rental in an area conducive to being a young, single male, close to the highway(i.e. not too long of a commute), and something with some character in a safe neighborhood.

[Craziaskowboi]

You might be able to get a mortgage for $650 per month.

[greg42]

Here's a recent thread on a reverse commute. //www.city-data.com/forum/pitts...y-bus-13k.html

It's certainly not going to be that straightforward. The places most young people want to be, and most of the places with any character so to speak, are all within the city limits, and Cranberry is over 20 miles away.

$650 rent is probably fine in many areas if you're looking for 1BR. Rental vacancy is low in this area, particularly within the city limits, pushes up the rents. Not going to make it in some of the most expensive areas.

It's a tough assignment. Cranberry is a sprawl area, everything newer, not much character. And there's not much in between. You can find a few places with a little more character that are closer than the city, but they're in the wrong direction or otherwise not that much more convenient to the city.

You might find something in, say, Ben Avon, with a little character. But you'll be driving both 20 minutes or so to work and 20 minutes or so to a lot of the places in the city you'd probably want to go as a single male (though it's only 10 minutes from downtown during non rush times). Nothing much to do in the immediate vicinity there except walk around and sleep.

[Copanut]

Try Evans City, Zelienople, or Mars. Cheap rent, walk to a lot of stuff.

[gameguy56]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Try Evans City, Zelienople, or Mars. Cheap rent, walk to a lot of stuff.

I gotta say, I chortled a bit. None of these places have as much as a small college that would have some young people.

[gameguy56]

Perhaps the OP should consider any of the rentals by the stadiums on the northside?

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by gameguy56

I gotta say, I chortled a bit. None of these places have as much as a small college that would have some young people.

Who cares? $650 or less, not gonna happen in Shadyside or around the stadium. He's working in Cranberry, why not live close and cheap? You can always drive into the city.

My first job after college was in Monroeville, rented a house with 2 other guys, great time, LOW OVERHEAD, back then the hot spot was Oakland, did not care to live there, but liked it on the weekends.

Even in my late 20's and still single bought a house in Mt.Lebo in a family neighborhood and had a great time interacting with people of all ages. What is the fascination on this board that when you're young you should only live around young people?

[BrianTH]

You can definitely find something in the City for $650 near some of the hotspots for younger people. Whether the 30-40 minute reverse commute to Cranberry would be worth it is up to you.

[jimmyev]

According to my twenty-something male colleagues, Shadyside is 'hot chick central.'

[Johio]

Furthermore, are there any areas I should stay away from?