Safe rental areas in Pittsburgh? (Philadelphia, Mount Lebanon: apartments, rentals, employment)

[biledemon]

I've recently found employment in Pittsburgh: 416th St 7th Avenue (After looking for a job for almost 2 years). I need to know what places are safe enough for me to rent that does not surpass the $750 per month, if possible.

I am a single guy in his 30's that cannot afford a gf nor kids atm. I used to live in the not-so-safe areas back when I was in Philadelphia for $550/month BUT I don't want to go back to that lifestyle ever again (always watching your back and if your car was broken into, etc).

Any input would be enormously appreciated.

[Pitt Chick]

??
416th St is not in Pittsburgh to the best of my knowledge...

[BrianTH]

Do you mean 416 7th Avenue?

That should be Downtown. There are lots of safes neighborhoods with good access to Downtown in your price range (assuming you don't need a superswank place/neighborhood). If I were you, I'd be looking for places with good public transportation (particularly via the T or a Busway) to Downtown, which could save you quite a bit of money on your commute.

Otherwise, you might tell us more about your ideal neighborhood, to help us narrow things down. I might also note that rentals in the core area are tight, and while that budget should be doable, it would help if you were at least somewhat flexible.

[PreservationPioneer]

Do you want to live in the city or the suburbs?

Since you will be working downtown, you can live north, south, east, or west of the city and still have a decent commute.

If you want to walk to work, check out living Downtown. The May Building, Stanwix Apartments, and Midtown Towers rent for under $750.

I would also recommend the Strip District, but it's probably out of that price range.

If you are interested in safe, historic city neighborhoods, I would recommend: South Side Flats, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Polish Hill, Friendship, Highland Park, Shadyside, Regent Square, Point Breeze, Mount Washington, Greenfield, Oakland, Morningside, Squirrel Hill. There are many more safe neighborhoods, but I'm listing the ones that I feel you can't go wrong in.

Nice suburban areas: Crafton, Ingram, Bellevue, Dormont, Forest Hills, Etna, Sharpsburg, Millvale, Mount Lebanon, Sewickley, Oakmont, Aspinwall, West View. There are many more, however not all of our suburbs are safe.

[biledemon]

Thank you all for replying.

This position is definitely downtown. I would rather bike or walk than take my car to work and pay parking fees every day/week/month.

The position is going to be very shift intensive due to UNION lack of seniority, hence I don't want to travel/commute for a long time.

What I am looking for is a safe place to live and not worry about gangs, bad neighborhood, etc.

One bedroom apt or a studio is all I need (I am only taking this gig to save money for grad school for about a year or so). Obviously, I don't want the majority of my paycheck to go to rent and incidentals that go with it..

[Geeo]

Try the East Allegheny neighborhood on the North Side. Just a short walk across the Rachel Carson Bridge from downtown. It's a little area tucked in between the 279 North Shore Expressway and East Ohio Street. There are some small apartment buildings on Pressley, Lockhart and Avery streets. You can bike or walk in 5 - 10 minutes and there's tons of bus service as well. Should be sometiing in your range there.

[BrianTH]

Lots of decent neighborhoods within biking range. I'm gathering you are looking to spend bottom dollar, so less than $750 if possible. Accordingly, Millvale is an interesting possibility--not actually in the City, but a short, mostly level ride to Downtown.

[Uptown kid]

Just note that if you look into East Allegheny make sure it's West of 79 (West Dutchtown). East Dutchtown isn't extremely safe or close to being relatively dangerous... But there are maybe 30 better/safer options that East Dutchtown!

[I_Like_Spam]

Lawrenceville would seem to be a good choice for you, particularly if you are going to be bicycling into downtown.

No bridges to cross and no major grades to navigate.

Smallman St. and Penn Ave are definitely doable on a bicycle.

[Little Mizz Pittsburgh]

Lawrenceville or Bloomfield...most definitely.

Possibly Friendship, but Friendship tends to get a little pricey with the rentals.

Garfield is seeing some gentrification also, due to the new Children's Hospital.

All those neighborhoods mentioned, you can either bike along Penn Avenue, Liberty Avenue, or Butler Street. All main thoroughfares into downtown.