Thoughts on the next Pittsburgh neighborhood to gentrify? (Butler, Ardmore: crime rate, houses)

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

Well, honestly, who would want to live among yuppies and hipsters? Who can deal with the profound level of snobbery of the yuppie or the hipster who thinks he's truly unique by being exactly like everyone else in his in-group? lol Me, I'd rather live alongside regular, non-pretentious working people who aren't trying to keep up with the Joneses. That's why I actually prefer non-fashionable neighborhoods within cities.

If it wasn't for your already taken status (IIRC), I'd recommend you and Alleghenyangel hook up stat.

[selltheburgh]

I was kind of joking about the hipster and yuppie comment - except those types of neighborhoods tend to have the most and the best restaurants, shops, bars, galleries, coffee, bike shops, etc.

I actually mixed up Sheridan and Elliot. I've been to Elliot by bike within the last few years. I haven't been to Sheridan in at least 6 or 7 years. Not sure if it has changed.

Elliot is a mix of run down properties and average to decently well maintained homes. It isn't very far from the northside or downtown or the south side. I don't think it is declining or on an upswing from what I could tell.

[The King of Um]

By the way, the house at 843 Vista St. in East Deutschtown we were discussing in another thread is already off of the market (it was for sale for less than three weeks). I guess homes are selling quickly in that historic neighborhood--perhaps it's on an upswing now, which is awesome.

[mountainlove]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

You wouldn't be "cheating" anyone if you moved to Millvale, Shaler Area taxes are higher than Pittsburgh's.

Pennsylvania law requires the majority of both municipalities' voters, Millvale and Pittsburgh, to approve a merger. The folks in these small boroughs like the idea of controlling their own police and public works instead of having to call downtown Pittsburgh and trying to get someone out there. I don't think its likely to occur anytime soon.

City Wage Tax%= 3.5%
Millvale Wage Tax%= 1%

Average property values in Millvale are also considerably lower than the city so regardless of the tax rates the actual cash amounts of taxes paid (the statistic that really matters) is also considerably lower than the city.

If looking around here, please holler!

[LIRefugee]

Originally Posted by mountainlove

City Wage Tax%= 3.5%

The Pittsburgh Wage Tax is 1% with a 2% School Tax, therefore effectively 3% for residents and 1% for non-residents, not 3.5%. Small point, but I think it's important to be accurate.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by LIRefugee

The Pittsburgh Wage Tax is 1% with a 2% School Tax, therefore effectively 3% for residents and 1% for non-residents, not 3.5%. Small point, but I think it's important to be accurate.

Non-residents of Pennsylvania who work in Pittsburgh do pay 1%, but Pennsylvanians who work in Pittsburgh but are not residents of Pittsburgh pay nothing to the city but the $52/year tax.

[partlycloudypittsburgh]

Although it's not too well known and lies outside of the city lines, I could see Sharpsburg taking off big-time over the next 5-10 years. It's got ample affordable housing (both for sale and rent), the only free boat launch on the Allegheny River at their riverfront park, and a surprisingly active and bustling business district/Main Street corridor. It's five minutes away from Lawrenceville, ten minutes from Waterworks, and fifteen minutes from downtown via Route 28, and being in the Fox Chapel school district will attract young parents who want their kids to get the best education while living in an affordable place.

There are parks and playgrounds (including a sprinkler park), a varied and active religious community, and a very low crime rate. Plus, there are two strong nonprofit service providers in the area, Volunteers of America and the Northern Area Multi-Service Center. I could see future development focusing on the cool history of Sharpsburg, like H.J. Heinz starting his company and living there and Chief Guyasuta helping Washington out in the area. There are big old houses from the 1800's still kept up in the neighborhood, too. It's just a really nice, sleepy little town with a lot of potential.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by partlycloudypittsburgh

Although it's not too well known and lies outside of the city lines, I could see Sharpsburg taking off big-time over the next 5-10 years. It's got ample affordable housing (both for sale and rent), the only free boat launch on the Allegheny River at their riverfront park, and a surprisingly active and bustling business district/Main Street corridor. It's five minutes away from Lawrenceville, ten minutes from Waterworks, and fifteen minutes from downtown via Route 28, and being in the Fox Chapel school district will attract young parents who want their kids to get the best education while living in an affordable place.

There are parks and playgrounds (including a sprinkler park), a varied and active religious community, and a very low crime rate. Plus, there are two strong nonprofit service providers in the area, Volunteers of America and the Northern Area Multi-Service Center. I could see future development focusing on the cool history of Sharpsburg, like H.J. Heinz starting his company and living there and Chief Guyasuta helping Washington out in the area. There are big old houses from the 1800's still kept up in the neighborhood, too. It's just a really nice, sleepy little town with a lot of potential.

Don't think so, too many Section 8 vouchers being given out. I co-owned a business up there 2 years ago, moved it to Oakmont. The meth head count was high.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by partlycloudypittsburgh

Although it's not too well known and lies outside of the city lines, I could see Sharpsburg taking off big-time over the next 5-10 years. It's got ample affordable housing (both for sale and rent), the only free boat launch on the Allegheny River at their riverfront park, and a surprisingly active and bustling business district/Main Street corridor. It's five minutes away from Lawrenceville, ten minutes from Waterworks, and fifteen minutes from downtown via Route 28, and being in the Fox Chapel school district will attract young parents who want their kids to get the best education while living in an affordable place.

There are parks and playgrounds (including a sprinkler park), a varied and active religious community, and a very low crime rate. Plus, there are two strong nonprofit service providers in the area, Volunteers of America and the Northern Area Multi-Service Center. I could see future development focusing on the cool history of Sharpsburg, like H.J. Heinz starting his company and living there and Chief Guyasuta helping Washington out in the area. There are big old houses from the 1800's still kept up in the neighborhood, too. It's just a really nice, sleepy little town with a lot of potential.

Sharpsburg is a lot rougher than you think. Over the years, a few of my clients have called it home. Not people you want to live next to. The business district is in surprisingly good shape but lacks any sort of hip vibe.

The schools are eventually great. The elementary school that Sharpsburg feeds too isn't great because of Sharpsburg. Only two of my friends send their kids to that elementary school. Everyone else refused to buy a home that feeds to it.

[PreservationPioneer]

I really think Forest Hills, while certainly still a nice neighborhood, should be more popular than it is. It's a cute town with a small business district, and lots of stuff within walking distance. I guess the thing holding it back is the school district?