Looking for a house near University of Pittsburgh (Wilkinsburg, Swissvale: real estate, renting)

[seraphita]

Hello all,

My husband just got a job at the University of Pittsburgh. I'm curious about whether we could find a house with the following criteria:

-Either within walking distance (< 3 miles) of the university, or a short bus ride away;
-Single family home with yard (not a condo);
-4 bedrooms or more;
-under $200,000

What neighborhoods should we look at?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

--Sarah

[Hopes]

Under 200k limits your options severely. Greenfield, Squirrel Hill South, and Point Breeze (amazingly there is one listing for Point Breeze. It's rare to find something in that price range there) have a very small number of houses that meet your criteria and are within a 3 mile walking distance. With a short bus ride, there are a few options in the Regent Square area. Based on the houses listed, it seems you'll get more for your money there, and it's a nice neighborhood you might like very much.

[Moby Hick]

That budget is tight for four bedroom single family house. Three bedroom houses are far more common than four bedroom houses when you want to be close in and three bedrooms will give you more options.

In Squirrel Hill, the buses to Oakland run along Forbes (all the 61s) and also down Murray (61c/d). It is a nice area but anything in your range is rare, probably a bit rough, and sells very fast. Greenfield is a smaller are but a better bet in that range. From Greenfield, you could either take the 58 or the 61c/d or walk if you don't mind a couple of miles. Living within what most people consider "walking distance" from Pitt for that price, you wouldn't be in a great area. It wouldn't be horrible, but I find it too close to students.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by seraphita

Hello all,

My husband just got a job at the University of Pittsburgh. I'm curious about whether we could find a house with the following criteria:

-Either within walking distance (< 3 miles) of the university, or a short bus ride away;
-Single family home with yard (not a condo);
-4 bedrooms or more;
-under $200,000

What neighborhoods should we look at?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

--Sarah

Pittsburgh is cheap, but it's not that cheap, particularly in the neighborhoods surrounding Pitt. Looking for a house of that size is difficult as well. Pittsburgh has many, but the good deals are at some remove from the core area in the East End.

Greenfield is probably the closest neighborhood which would have a few houses at that price range and size. You could walk through Schenley Park and be there in around 45-50 minutes. Most houses are smaller than what you're looking for, although there are a few four-bedrooms out there. They will probably be ugly as sin, and almost certainly lack a flat backyard however.

Probably a better option would be the Regent Square area, which is popular with Pitt faculty. It's not walkable to Pitt, but there is a bus which goes in that direction, along with a the busway (rapid bus service) being accessible from some areas). You couldn't afford the portion of Regent Square in the city proper, but the portions in Edgewood, Swissvale, and especially Wilkinsburg will be affordable.

Edit: MOD cut - single listings of real estate are not allowed. A five-bedroom Victorian in Swissvale. Near Regent Square and the Busway. A 27 minute commute, between walking time and the 18 minutes to get from there to Oakland on the bus.

[Bong477]

With enough persistence and a little luck you can probably find a 4 bedroom 1.5-2 bath in Squirrel Hill or Greenfield for a bit under 200k, but it will be much easier if you can make do with 3 bedrooms (or find more money).

If you are new to Pittsburgh, I'd strongly suggest renting for 6-12 months (or more) before you buy.

[Hopes]

Morningside --- 5 bedroom, 2 baths --- 120k

Mod Cut - single real estate listings are not allowed.

It's 3.2 miles away.

[ferraris]

Bloomfield definitely fits that price range. Finding a 4 bedroom would be the challenge there, not the price. Bloomfield is safe, has a lot of shops,bars, and restaurants, and it's about a 40 minute easy walk over to Pitt's campus. Something in Friendship might also fit the bill.

Depending on your standarsd for some crime and blight you could go well under budget in the Upper Hill or Garfield, but those neighborhoods aren't for everyone. Not terrible, but definitely not for everyone. You could fall waaaay under budget there and still be close to Pitt.

[Hopes]

Highland Park is a possibility too. Of course, anything that large in the OP's price range will require serious updating.

Mod Cut - single real estate listings are not allowed.

Unless the OP raises her budget, decreases her house size requirement, or is willing for hubby to have a longer commute, this is going to difficult for her to find.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

Bloomfield definitely fits that price range. Finding a 4 bedroom would be the challenge there, not the price.

I think finding a yard may be trickier still. At least, that's why I didn't mention it. Even when they are not actually attached, the houses are very close.

[Hopes]

If she can give up the commute criteria, Crafton has some nice places in her price range.

Shaler is an option too. Actual Shaler, not Millvale or Etna. There are some 4 bedroom houses with big yards in Shaler under 200k.