Relocating closer to the city (Pittsburgh, Warren: apartment, rental, crime)

[wanderer508]

Hi everyone,

I've been working/living in Cranberry Twp for close to a year now and am looking for some advice on neighborhoods. As convenient as it is to live 4 miles from work and have really nice housing/utilities (compared to areas I used to live like Oakland), I've been looking at moving closer to the city since I usually drive down there 3-4 times a week to see friends, etc. I'm mainly looking for somewhere that has easy access to I-79/279 for getting to Cranberry and to the city, and I'd also prefer somewhere that is safe, quiet, and walkable, with at least a few small restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and bars near by. Parks and historic architecture would be nice but not required. I'm looking to spend ~ $700-800 per month on a 1 BR/2 BR apartment, depending on what's available (upper limit is $1000 per month).

I've explored a couple areas so far and here are my thoughts:

Sewickley - this is pretty much my ideal setting as far as being walkable, charming, and having shops/cafes nearby, but it might be too far from Pittsburgh for me (I think it would be about the same amount of time to get from Cranberry to Pittsburgh). If there were a village like this located right off of I-279, I would move there. Rental housing also seems difficult to get and expensive (outside of the Courtyards at Sewickley, which I haven't heard good things about).

Bellevue - I haven't gotten much of a chance to do much but drive though, but it seems like a nice enough area. The best part is the easy access to I-279. This area also seems to have quite a bit more housing and most of it is within my price range. I also calculated that the difference in my commute time would be negligible (it currently takes me on average 15 minutes to get to work).

West View - similar to Bellevue, with the advantage of being closer to Route 19 if I need an alternate route to Cranberry.

Ross Twp - I'd consider anywhere but near McKnight Rd.

North Side (Mexican War Streets) - I'm really impressed by this neighborhood and park nearby, plus I can take public transportation anywhere if I don't feel like driving. This is probably the upper limit of how far I'd be willing to commute to work. I am concerned with some of the surrounding neighborhoods and possible crime spillover from them. Parking looks a bit more difficult, and the local income tax is 3% instead of 1% (which isn't too big of a deal given the convenience of living close to the city).

Right now I'm leaning towards Bellevue/West View, but I'd have to do more research and get more opinions. Does anyone have any advice on these neighborhoods or other neighborhoods nearby?

Thanks!

[airwave09]

Sewickley is only 13 miles from Pittsburgh, Cranberry is 23. And 65 is a highway and has much less traffic than 279 especially during rush hours.

You can get to the city much faster from Sewickley, plus the extra bonus of the airport being close by.

[Bong477]

Westview or Ross (particularly the older part near westview) are great for what you want. Try to avoid having to travel much on McKnight to get to 279 if possible.

[PeterRabbit]

Oakmont is 12 miles to downtown and faster yet via Rt. 28. The turnpike is maybe 3 miles and gets you to Warrendale exit in 20+/- minutes. It has all of what you are looking for and rent is reasonable.

[Love2Golf09]

Green Tree. It is very quick to get into the city, and wouldn't be a terrible commute up 79 to cranberry either. Plus, there are plenty of affordable apts there and settlers cabin park is pretty close. Lots of shopping in the Robinson area too.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by wanderer508

North Side (Mexican War Streets) - I'm really impressed by this neighborhood and park nearby, plus I can take public transportation anywhere if I don't feel like driving. This is probably the upper limit of how far I'd be willing to commute to work. I am concerned with some of the surrounding neighborhoods and possible crime spillover from them. Parking looks a bit more difficult, and the local income tax is 3% instead of 1% (which isn't too big of a deal given the convenience of living close to the city).


Thanks!

This was going to be my recommendation to you. I work in the Warrendale/Cranberry area and you can see where I live, but we are totally in love with the War Streets area. We live for visiting the park and the Aviary (although sad to see Kayak Pittsburgh won't be renting boats in Lake Elizabeth this year), Monterrey Pub is one of my favorite in the city, you could walk to PNC Park and there's easy access to the North Side trail along with all the bus service you could want.

There is a very attentive crime watch organization in the area, and a very strong sense of neighborhood in the immediate War Streets area. We've talked with a number of realators and attended a few parties to see this for ourselves. The only thing is, I'm not sure if you would find something in your budget.

[brdst11]

We also looked in the Bellevue/West View area before choosing Brighton Heights, which is another neighborhood you might want to consider. Excellent access to downtown and 279, not as trendy as the War Streets, but less gritty too.