Need advice on finding affordable housing,inner city or suburbs (Pittsburgh: apartment, rentals)

[Babysinsane]

I'm planning on relocating to Pittsburgh from NYC within a month or so due to work reasons. I am from Greensburg originally but have not been there since 1985. Been looking on Craigslist,but I thought maybe some locals would know a better option.

A little info on what I am looking for:
Would like to keep rent at $600 to $800 for a 3 or 4 bedroom if possible.
Would prefer to rent a house instead of an apartment.
I have 2 children in grade school,so a safe area with decent schools is important.
Must allow small pets....1 sphynx,1 chihuahua
A yard would be a plus.
Willing to drive 30 minutes or so to the city

If anyone knows a good area that would be suitable or a good place to look for rentals please let me know. Thanks in advance.

[Love2Golf09]

Originally Posted by Babysinsane

I'm planning on relocating to Pittsburgh from NYC within a month or so due to work reasons. I am from Greensburg originally but have not been there since 1985. Been looking on Craigslist,but I thought maybe some locals would know a better option.

A little info on what I am looking for:
Would like to keep rent at around $800 for a 3 bedroom if possible.
Would prefer to rent a house instead of an apartment.
I have 2 children in grade school,so a safe area with decent schools is important.
Must allow small pets....1 sphynx,1 chihuahua
A yard would be a plus.
Willing to drive 15 minutes or so to the city

If anyone knows a good area that would be suitable or a good place to look for rentals please let me know. Thanks in advance.

15 mins, that's it? Now days, you can't even get from the South Side or Oakland to downtown in 15 mins lol. $800 for a 3BR would be tight, but possible. You might be able to pull that off in Brentwood. Most other places in your price range would not be in good school districts. I also think you might want to expand on your 15 mins driving.

[Babysinsane]

I'm changing it to 30 minutes in that case
Thank you!

[stburr91]

Just to give you an idea of the rental market here. With everything you want, will have very few options available, even with twice your budget.

[Babysinsane]

I'm seeing rentals in that price range but I'm not sure what areas to be looking in.
That's basically what I'm wondering.....if something is $750 is that because it's in a bad area?

[Babysinsane]

I'm seeing rentals in that price range but I'm not sure what areas to be looking in.
That's basically what I'm wondering.....if something is $750 is that because it's in a bad area?

[stburr91]

Originally Posted by Babysinsane

I'm seeing rentals in that price range but I'm not sure what areas to be looking in.
That's basically what I'm wondering.....if something is $750 is that because it's in a bad area?

Rentals in your price range are unlikely to be in a good, or even decent school district. Also, there aren't a lot of houses on the rental market, even fewer that allow pets.

I'm not saying what you want isn't out there, but I am saying you will have few options, and will likely need to compromise on something.

[Hopes]

< $800 for a 4 bedroom will be in more dangerous areas.

You'll have to raise your rent budget or plan on getting a 3 bedroom house, duplex or townhouse.

This is a great find! It's a 3 bedroom house in safe desirable town with a good school district: Single Family

[Hopes]

But mostly these are the types of 3 bedroom houses you will find for < $800 in a safe area.

Milvale house for rent

Huge house in Fox Chapel Schools

[robrobrob]

What part of town are you working in? This would be helpful because if you are working in a suburb you could possible live further from downtown but close to work. The further from downtown the cheaper things are usually.