Opinions on "Gritty" South Hills Neighborhoods (Pittsburgh, Brentwood: rentals, buying a house)

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Don't know if anyone has posted this yet, a P-G story about "blaring music" leading to "fatal stop":
Police say blaring music led to fatal stop

Yeah, so much shadiness in this case. Cops get to play judge, jury, and executioner because a suspect attempted to flee the scene. The only time they are allowed to use lethal force when a suspect is fleeing the scene is when the person inside is using deadly force against someone else. Plus the whole "gun on the lap" thing is suspect, why would you brandish against the police THEN run?

[Uptown kid]

Don't forget about the young man killed in Arlington on the last day of 2011 either

[Clint.]

Get approval for a loan. There will be a fee (~$100, if I recall). Then you'll know how much you're really able to afford; a real estate agent will take you more seriously, once you start to really look, as well.

Try not to be deterred by all the talk about property taxes:
1. there is no escape from them, as landlords will factor it into the rent
2. they're not that bad...they will be rolled into your mortgage and your mortgage will still be less than the rent charged for an equivalent property, so it won't seem egregious to someone used to renting and then expecting to do the 30 yr. mortgage plan. We're not talking $500,000 assessments here!

I live and Brookline and really like it. It's close to Downtown via the Liberty Tunnel (or over Mt. Washington via Boggs). There is a nice shopping district, although it's a little patchy it has some vibrancy. The closest full grocery store is probably the Kuhn's in Banksville or Giant Eagle in Whitehall (at least I think it's Whitehall). There is a Mexican grocer on Brookline Blvd. that opened last year that is small but is pretty close to full service - they have a full butcher shop. Also Pitaland sells Mediterranean foods. There are a few other nice places as well, near the fire station and library. Brookline has a nice public recreation center and pool, if you are into those sorts of things.

My brother lives in Beechview so I get over there fairly often. It has a more urban feel and probably has a higher population density (which I now want to look into). I think it would be easier to find more houses there that need some fixing up than it would be in Brookline. The trolley runs through the middle of town, which is something you can't get in Mt. Oliver anymore; it runs to SHV and there are no problems with low ridership so it's not going anywhere.

Both Brookline and Beechview were ones you were shying away from, so sorry if it's unwanted, but I couldn't resist contributing, b/c if you have $3,000 in the bank now, like I think you said, they're not out of the question.

Have you checked into URA Buy in the Burgh?

[MeinGlanzendMotorrad]

Brookline is pretty nice, I used to live in Overbrook.

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by Brookline_sylvia

Have you checked into URA Buy in the Burgh?

Those houses all need significant rehab. Brookline would be high on my list if I was thinking of getting a mortgage to buy a home. I would also be looking at places like Windgap, Lincoln Place, Brentwood, and Observatory Hill, and some of the eastern suburbs, which are nice areas that tend to fly under the radar.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by Brookline_sylvia

The closest full grocery store is probably the Kuhn's in Banksville or Giant Eagle in Whitehall (at least I think it's Whitehall).

The closest grocer to Brookline is the Aldi on McNeilly which is just a stone's throw away. Don't forget about Cannon Coffee (love that place) and the pretzel shop too. Brookline is a hidden gem, I get coffee, real Mexican groceries, pastries, and Middle Eastern groceries all on the same street. Just don't tell anyone about it because I like the fact that it's currently sparsely populated.

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

The closest grocer to Brookline is the Aldi on McNeilly which is just a stone's throw away. Don't forget about Cannon Coffee (love that place) and the pretzel shop too. Brookline is a hidden gem, I get coffee, real Mexican groceries, pastries, and Middle Eastern groceries all on the same street. Just don't tell anyone about it because I like the fact that it's currently sparsely populated.

There's also the IGA on Broadway in Beechview. I always forget it's there and haven't been in it myself. But it's another option.

I've been meaning to chime in and say to SCR that if you're interested in Brookline or Beechview, I wouldn't rule them out. There are still bargains to be found in each neighborhood -- they may be fewer and farther between, but I know of a couple of places near me sold sub-$40,000 in the past year -- but each neighborhood is stable with, I think, a good outlook. There are interesting things happening in each business district. I love Cannon Coffee too and the guys who own it are young and enthusiastic about the neighborhood and very involved in the community. They're also involved in Brew on Broadway in Beechview.

BREW on Broadway community-owned coffee shop opens in Beechview

So there's a lot of energy in the area. Just keep your eyes open, and head over for a visit to the area as well.

[grapeh8]

There was also that produce store on Brookline Blvd, but I am not sure if it closed or if it is only open during the warmer months.

I live in Brookline and it is possible to find a cheaper house but it's definitely getting harder. A friend however is in the process of buying a place in Beechview for around 40,000.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by grapeh8

There was also that produce store on Brookline Blvd, but I am not sure if it closed or if it is only open during the warmer months.

It's still there, but I haven't seen it open in quite some time.

I've heard that Brookline has a bit of a drug problem with kids slanging (a friend of mine who lives there said that, not my words). Since you're a resident, does this hold any water?

[grapeh8]

I am sure it exists just like anywhere, but I haven't really noticed it. I have had family living in brookline for a about 40 years now and from what I was told there was an issue in the late 80's / 90's.