Moving to Mt Washing from out of state...any information would be great! (Pittsburgh: houses)

[marissa12233]

Im 21 and I am moving with a couple friends from college to Mt Washington. We will be on Boggs avenue which seems to be a semi busy street. Will I be able to walk alone being a female to a local convenience store without feeling unsafe? I am from out of state so I do not know too much about Pittsburgh let alone this neighborhood. It seems like Mt. Washington is very residential and there doesn't seems to be any big shopping centers real close by. I have a friend from Pittsburgh who lives up by McKnight road where there seems to be a lot of shopping.

I'm wondering if there is something similar to McKnight road closer to Mt. Washington. I'm mainly looking for a place with a grocery store and a target/walmart or somewhere cheap for everyday things.

Also I love nature and outdoors and I've noticed Mt. Washington seems to be mainly residential with a lot of houses and not much "green" space. Occasionally I will like to just go on a drive through some back roads to enjoy the nature. I'm wondering if there is something like that near by, I have a friend in the Shaler Area and I like it up there because there is a good mix of things to do as well as some "green space". I knew living in a city setting will be busy and such, but I also like my peace and quiet from time to time.

Are there places near by to walk/run or ride bikes through some nature without having to drive too far?

Basically I'm looking for any helpful information on this area of Pittsburgh.

Thanks!

[fleetiebelle]

Well, like you said you can't really expect a suburban shopping experience when you live a mile from the downtown of a major city. You'll probably end up going to McKnight (which despite being farther away than South Hills Village, is faster to get to) or the Waterfront for your big box shopping needs. There is a KMart at Parkway Center that will do in a pinch. You can do most of your grocery shopping at the Mt. W Foodland, but there's a Giant Eagle at Parkway Center as well.

You're not far from Grandview Park, which the city is linking to several other Mt. Washington Parks under the name Emerald View, but I'm not sure if it's beyond the planning stages yet, and you'll be fairly close to the Jail Trail (down the incline and across a bridge.)

[ferraris]

There is actually a trail on the south side, part of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail System that is easier to access than the Jail trail. It eventually links up with the Great Allegheny Passage and can be ridden all the way to Washington D.C.

While Pittsburgh itself is pretty urban, there are plenty of green parks, and a 30 minute drive can land you pretty well into rural areas. Extend that to 90 minutes and you reach places like Ohiopyle State Park, which is very well preserved and surrounded by green areas and very small towns.