Finding a new home! (Pittsburgh, Penn: rental, job market, neighborhoods)

[cmcmillan]

Hey all! My name is Christine. My husband and I, and our 3 year old son are considering moving to Penn. in the next year. I am a respiratory therapist and my husband will be getting out of the Army. When he gets out he is wanting to go to school to be an electrician or something else that might catch his interest that pays just as well. We are looking for something within the $150,000-200,000 for a 3 bedroom.2 bath, 1600+ sq ft. Is it possible? We both need the conveniences of a big city for jobs, but don't mind living outside the city (especially if it means more house for the money). I don't know how bad traffic is there as far as coming into the city from the outside, we prefer something that will only take us an hour or so tops to get to work. And if anyone has any other options for jobs for my husband that he should explore, please let me know. He needs to make at least $18/hour. His job in the military is infantry, and his work experience prior to the military was construction (drywall, building houses, etc.) Thanks in advance for your help!
Any neighborhoods worth mentioning? We would need a rental right when we get there, and the buy within a year.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by cmcmillan

We are looking for something within the $150,000-200,000 for a 3 bedroom.2 bath, 1600+ sq ft. Is it possible?

That's definitely possible in the greater Pittsburgh area.

We both need the conveniences of a big city for jobs, but don't mind living outside the city (especially if it means more house for the money).

Originally Posted by cmcmillan

I don't know how bad traffic is there as far as coming into the city from the outside, we prefer something that will only take us an hour or so tops to get to work.

You'll have a wide variety of areas to chose from because the commute into Pittsburgh is approximately 30 to 40 minutes from SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

Originally Posted by cmcmillan

Any neighborhoods worth mentioning? We would need a rental right when we get there, and the buy within a year.

I think it would be wiser for you to find your job first then pick your neighborhood accordingly.

[cmcmillan]

Thank you so much Hopes! How is the job market for jobs that my husband would be qualified to do and for the money we need? For right now, we just really need to be able to supplement what his military income was.

[Hopes]

I think it will be difficult for him to find a position starting at $18 per hour in the construction field.

However, Pittsburgh's cost of living is low, and most areas that would pay starting wages for construction workers in that range would have a much higher cost of living.

He should try to get into one of the unions' apprenticeship programs.

For instance, here's some information about electrical apprenticeship programs in Pittsburgh:

Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board: Promising Career Pathways in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (Electricians, November 2006)

[tommygoat]

There was an article in The Post Gazette around Monday July 10 that stated there were many jobs available in contruction for the first time in years.

[Gerbil]

Apparently the Ironworkers are really in need of more people, and are aggressively recruiting right now.

[WV gram]

Don't know if you are still looking, but you might want to consider living in WV and commuting to Pgh. or possibly working as well in WV. Pa. taxes are becoming really expensive. I am a WV native and my fiance' lives in SW Pa, but his business is near Pittsburgh, and what he pays in taxes is really high. I am selling my house, which is about an hour from Pgh., simply because I am a widow and because fiance's life is in Pgh., it is best for me. The Interstate is only 12 miles from my house in WV and it is Interstate all the way into Pgh., but WV taxes are so much better, jobs are available in my area that may interest you. (I retired from working in a Dr.'s office and try to keep up on job postings.) Good schooling available for your husband's interest as well. If you would like to know a little bit more, just let me know and I will try to help. Good luck to you!