Looking to buy a house in Mt. Washington, HELP! (apartment, rentals)

[Nellie823]

I'm new to the area and just landed a job in the "burgh". Anyways, there's a house in Mt. Washington on Amabell street, that i'm looking to purchase. It's located next to a school and only seems a few blocks away from grandview avenue. I drove around Mt. Washington a lot and some areas seem okay and some seem questionable. Does anyone have any advice on Mt. Washington as a whole? And also if your famaliar with Amabell street, is this a good area? Any input/comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[I_Like_Spam]

Amabell Street is safe.

The only really questionable parts of Mt. Washington are those near Beltzhoover and Warrington Avenues and maybe the Mt. Washington Hollow area off of Southern.

Where you're talking about is perfectly fine, although the area gets a bit more working class as you step away from Grandview Ave.

If you're buying a house on Mt. Wash, you definitely need mine subsidance insurance. The area was mined out extensively in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the inclines took the coal down to the mills on the South Shore for steel production.

When you have the property inspected, this has to really be considered as well. I knew people who lived near there that have permanently sloped floors.

[WINDCHIMES]

Interesting...its a beautiful area, most of it. We thought of renting on grandview when we first moved to the area...however the steep hills in the winter made us reconsider.

[greg42]

Amabell should be fine. You'll be right near the few shops and such, as well as the Mon Incline which takes you down to Station Square (and an easy walk over the bridge into downtown as well). It's generally not a happening night spot of its own, though, so if you're young and going out often you may find yourself traveling a bit if that is your base (although it isn't that far to the South Side, true). I used to live a few blocks from there, though admittedly it was over a decade ago and was only for about 10 months. I generally liked the proximity to things. I found my particular apartment (made from an old house) rather loud. I was closer to Grandview, only about half a block down, and in the summer that used to draw a lot of people just hanging out, although I think they may have cracked down on some of that since then.

Never knew about the mine subsidence, that's interesting.

As you are new to the area, make sure you are comparing the house's price to this area and not to other places which might make it seem more of a steal. Don't overpay, in other words. Although the appeal of buying a house is obvious because of the reasonable prices, don't forget the significant property tax bill. And don't overlook the idea of renting for a bit, just in case you decide after a year that Mt Washington is not for you. This may be a little harder in winter but in general there have been a fair number of rentals in that vicinity.

Oh, and FWIW I didn't have a problem getting around in the winter up there, the one winter I lived there.

Good luck!

[Nellie823]

Wow everyone! Thanks for the quick responses! My main concern was if it was a safe area, so i'm releived that it is. Any other comments or opinions are appreciated!