Moving to Pitt, need help finding place... (Pittsburgh, Ross Township: affordable apartments, neighborhoods)

[ecurito]

Hey Guys,
I've read quite a few of the topics posted on here...thought I'd give it a try. I'm starting a full time job in August a couple of blocks from PNC Park on the North Shore. I'm a 23 year old, male, recent college grad looking for a place to live. I've been trying to do as much research as I can, but thought it couldn't hurt to ask on here as well. I hear shadyside is real nice, but a little pricier...being straight out of college with my first job i'm obivously not making the world salary wise, so the cheaper the better. Lots of people have also said the southside is a great place to look to. I've been out there a couple of times, and the night life with all the restaurants and bars are fun. What would I search for apartments on the southside? Is that tecnically downtown Pitt, or are their actual suburb/towns out there?

Any other additional information that could be healpful would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

[robrobrob]

South Side is its own neighborhood. You want a place in the flats and not the slopes. Prices are pretty similiar to Shadyside though. Lawrenceville has a night life and is a little cheaper.

[fleetiebelle]

You could look for places in Mt. Washington, as well. There are a lot of younger people and students, just stay toward the front of the hill.

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

South Side is its own neighborhood. You want a place in the flats and not the slopes. Prices are pretty similiar to Shadyside though. Lawrenceville has a night life and is a little cheaper.

Why would you tell him not to look at the slopes? They are much cheaper and are a short walk from the flats.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by ecurito

Hey Guys,
I've read quite a few of the topics posted on here...thought I'd give it a try. I'm starting a full time job in August a couple of blocks from PNC Park on the North Shore. I'm a 23 year old, male, recent college grad looking for a place to live. I've been trying to do as much research as I can, but thought it couldn't hurt to ask on here as well. I hear shadyside is real nice, but a little pricier...being straight out of college with my first job i'm obivously not making the world salary wise, so the cheaper the better. Lots of people have also said the southside is a great place to look to. I've been out there a couple of times, and the night life with all the restaurants and bars are fun. What would I search for apartments on the southside? Is that tecnically downtown Pitt, or are their actual suburb/towns out there?

Any other additional information that could be healpful would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

If you're working near PNC Park I would consider downtown and the north side first and foremost. Walking to work is a huge perk, and while Downtown can be a little pricey, there are some real deals to be had in the North Side, especially Allegheny West, the Mexican War Streets, and Deutschtown.

Can you put a number on your budget? Will you be driving to work or relying on public transit and walking/biking? The South Side is a good neighborhood, but it is quite pricey and you have to be sure you can handle living around such a party scene on the weekends.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by airwave09

Why would you tell him not to look at the slopes? They are much cheaper and are a short walk from the flats.

The slopes is further from Carson Street. In my opinion, too far. You apparently disagree though.

[SuburbanPioneer]

I happen to know this area fairy well. Think of how you will be getting to work. If you rely on public transit and you end up living in Shadyside/Bloomfield/etc. you will have to either change buses in downtown or walk to the north shore across the river. It will be a 10-15 minutes walk depending on the location of your office. It may take longer to catch a bus from downtown to cross that bridge.
If you have a car, parking on the north shore is almost half the price of downtown parking, but it is still $110-150/month. A bus pass will cost you $90/month.

Walking from Mt Washington is feasible, it's about 40-50 minutes walk, but it's not fun crossing two rivers on a chilly morning in February. So if you want to take a bus to work and don't want to change buses and deal with bus schedule too much, I'd suggest areas north of the city (except for the North Side itself perhaps), as you will be able to get off the bus on the north shore before it gets to downtown. Look into Bellevue/West view if you want to be closer to the city or Ross township for a more suburban feel.

[ferraris]

The 54C and 54D bus routes might be a direct enough bus from some parts of the east end, depending where exactly the workplace is located.

[gbpriv]

Since you're 23, Ross Township or Bellevue aren't places you should want to live unless the commute is a huge concern.. Many college students and young professionals live in Shadyside and the South Side. Lawrenceville should definitely be an option, and possibly the Strip District and the North Side neighborhoods mentioned. It's hard to say without knowing your budget and transportation situation. I'm 21, and if I was out of school and had a job in Pittsburgh, I would choose living in a younger, more active neighborhood over a short commute to work. You'll be regretting it otherwise.

[PreservationPioneer]

Since you are working on the North Side, why not live on the North Side as well? Deutschtown, Allegheny West, and the Mexican War Streets are some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city, have affordable apartments, and you could walk to work.