Where to live with toddler? Chinese? Lofts? (Pittsburgh, Highland Park: home, neighborhood)

[shanbyers]

I'll be moving to Pittsburgh soon. I'm from the area (about 1.5 hours north), but haven't lived there in quite a while. I'm coming from Beijing with my toddler and architect husband. So...several questions...

1st, where to live? My husband prefers lofts or similar, I care more about having a yard or nearby park to play in. We need at least a 2 bedroom, though preferably a 3 bedroom for under $1000/month (rental). My husband will be attending CMU, so should be easy to commute there. Also, would prefer to be close to 79 so that we can go North fairly easily. So...not sure if there's anything that would fit all those needs!! Or some of them??

2nd, my daughter has been learning Mandarin while we are in China. I don't want her to lose it. Are there any Chinese/English bilingual preschools? Or even a large enough Chinese population to find a teenage babysitter who can speak it?

3rd, I am a Kindermusik educator, so where would be a good place to set up my business? This means more stay at home parents or nannies and upper middle class area.

Thanks for the help!

[BrianTH]

I don't know if this is helpful, but Linden K-5, in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh, is a Mandarin and German magnet school. And Point Breeze is close to CMU, so that area might be good to target, at least looking down the road.

[bradjl2009]

How often do you plan on using I-79 north? If it is only a day or two a week or less I would say stay in the East End of nearby in the city because that is probably one of the few places where your toddler will be able to keep learning Mandarin. I know some of the bigger and academically better suburban schools offer Mandarin in high school but there aren't many places in general that offer it.

[AaronPGH]

A 2 bedroom loft is going to be tough to find for $1000 a month. Not saying it's impossible, but most of those I've seen have been going for around $1300+

[robrobrob]

I will chime about Kindermusik. I would search their website and first determine where it is already offered. I know there are classes offered all over the city already.

A lot of CMU students live in Sq. Hill or Shadyside. I would look there first. If that doesn't work then I would look next in Point Breeze or Regent Square, and if they don't work then in Highland Park.