Living Here Without a Car.......Is It Do-able??? (Pittsburgh, Butler: home, neighborhood)

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

Really, there are a lot of neighborhoods (and even a few suburbs) where car-free living is possible. I would rate Bloomfield and the Southside both above Squirrel Hill and Shadyside though. Bloomfield is probably the most well-connected neighborhood for public transit, and also has the most useful walking distance stores (think "post office and bank" vs "the GAP and Apple Store").

That's not to say that it would be difficult to live in Shadyside or Squirrel Hill without a car, though; I just think Bloomfield and the Southside have better amenities within walking distance, and that Bloomfield has the top public transit connections.

I have always thought that Sq. Hill is the most complete neighborhood. Ironically, when I lived there I didn't walk to many places. I also lived in Shadyside. I walked everywhere when I lived there. Now, things have changed. Shadyside is much nicer now. When I lived there we had Whole Foods, now there is so much more including Target.

I really think that your activities is what makes it hard to live without a car.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I have always thought that Sq. Hill is the most complete neighborhood. Ironically, when I lived there I didn't walk to many places. I also lived in Shadyside. I walked everywhere when I lived there. Now, things have changed. Shadyside is much nicer now. When I lived there we had Whole Foods, now there is so much more including Target.

I really think that your activities is what makes it hard to live without a car.

Don't look now, It's starting. Shadyside is taking over even more of East Liberty!

Squirrel Hill could definitely work. I would even say that it is a good option for car-free living, it's just not the best in my opinion. It's so big, you really have to pay attention to where in the neighborhood you end up living.

[robrobrob]

quote=ferrarisnowday;20284533] It's so big, you really have to pay attention to where in the neighborhood you end up living.[/quote]

Totally agree.

[PA_Native71]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper 88

If somone were moving to Pittsburgh and they didn't own a car, nor did they want to, would it be easy to live and work here without a car? Are there many people who live here who do not either have a car or if they do, don't use it? How extensive is public transit in the city?

and even if you need a car once every so often there is zip cars here is the link:Car Sharing, an alternative to car rental and car ownership – Zipcar and they pay for the gas it is included in the rental fee, so basically you can get by without a car and be happy in Pittsburgh, good luck

[WhipperSnapper 88]

Wow. The responses are extremely varied here!

Would it be fare to say that whether or not you can live car free in certain parts of the city is largely Dependant on how you want to live? Where you want to go? Things you want to do?

[expdxer]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper 88

Would it be fare to say that whether or not you can live car free in certain parts of the city is largely Dependant on how you want to live? Where you want to go? Things you want to do?

Freudian slip, or was it intentional?

[Joshbarblahblah]

I've lived in Bloomfield for 3 years without a car--but, then, I'm a student who works and goes to school in Oakland (student ID serving as bus pass=best idea ever). A number of the older people I work with don't have cars, though. Some of them live farther out (Penn Hills, Regent Square, etc) and they seem to do fine.

[shogun221]

As others have mentioned, the ease of living without a car in Pittsburgh is going to depend on where you live, where you work, and what places you visit most often.

Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Lawerenceville, East Liberty, SouthSide, Bloomfield and Oakland all have grocery stores and other businesses within walking distance and are well connected with downtown. With the exception of the Target in East Liberty and the Macy's downtown, you'll probably need a bus in these neighborhoods to hit up a department store.

If you're trying to figure out if a particular neighborhood would work for you if you'll be using public transit, the Port Authority Website is a good tool to use:

Port Authority of Allegheny County > Home

[nuwaver88]

Can you still take the street car to Sliberty?

[Geeo]

Yeah, catch 'at 88 car at Isaly's and it'll take ya out 'ere S'Liberty to the Gramophone Theater to watch 'em newsreels.