Houses as cute as a button--and very historic, too! (Pittsburgh: rental, crime)

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by Hopes

That's very easy and inexpensive to fix.

Just wondering, why does that need to be fixed? I rather like the primitive look of the exposed pipe. It's not something you see everyday.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

Just wondering, why does that need to be fixed? I rather like the primitive look of the exposed pipe. It's not something you see everyday.

Have you ever been in the basement when the toilet flushes?

[steindle]

Originally Posted by Q-tip motha

Not really if you're referring to crime.

I don't understand what you're saying. Are you contending that Spring Hill is safer than Brighton Heights?

From a random sample of the last week in police blotters: there were 9 crimes reported in Spring Hill (population: 3,040) and 17 in Brighton Heights (population: 7,247). So there is not quite twice the number of crimes in a neighborhood that is well over twice the population -- i.e., fewer per person in Brighton Heights.

I'm not going to break that down by violent crime vs. property crime or look up yearly stats because I don't spend THAT much time arguing on the internet... but it's not exactly a massive difference.

P.S. My contention is NOT that either is dangerous -- they're not -- but that Hip Priest's concerns about Brighton Heights were exaggerated. That said, the Brighton Heights chapter is over and I'm genuinely happy that he seems to be enjoying himself on Pittsburgh's Undisputed Greatest Side.

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by steindle

I don't understand what you're saying. Are you contending that Spring Hill is safer than Brighton Heights?

From a random sample of the last week in police blotters: there were 9 crimes reported in Spring Hill (population: 3,040) and 17 in Brighton Heights (population: 7,247). So there is not quite twice the number of crimes in a neighborhood that is well over twice the population -- i.e., fewer per person in Brighton Heights.

I'm not going to break that down by violent crime vs. property crime or look up yearly stats because I don't spend THAT much time arguing on the internet... but it's not exactly a massive difference.

P.S. My contention is NOT that either is dangerous -- they're not -- but that Hip Priest's concerns about Brighton Heights were exaggerated. That said, the Brighton Heights chapter is over and I'm genuinely happy that he seems to be enjoying himself on Pittsburgh's Undisputed Greatest Side.

Being very, very new to Pittsburgh, I readily admit to not knowing a great deal about crime in the city's various neighborhoods. That would be Uptownkid's domain. Perhaps he'll chime in soon and give us his very informed viewpoint. However, in my humble opinion as a newcomer to the city, there seems to me to be less of a bad element in Spring Hill than in Brighton Heights. But again, that's just my opinion.

The lower North Side is really quite an interesting place. While some areas are appreciated (e.g., lower Manchester, the Mexican War Streets, West Deutschtown), and consequently, have gentrified to the point of pricing most younger people and people of modest means out of the market, there remain these great places east of the highway that are often overlooked and unappreciated (but fortunately, quite cheap). I am, of course, talking about Spring Hill, Spring Garden, Troy Hill, and East Deutschtown. It is my opinion that these neighborhoods have great potential. When people finally realize their character, I think they will recover--maybe not full-out gentrify, but definitely improve.

Someday when I find the right house for the right price, I plan on buying in one of these very historic neighborhoods. The challenge, however, is finding a historically-intact house for a reasonable price that doesn't require a ton of work. That's easier said than done.

The two homes I posted the links to are very charming and quite old. It wouldn't surprise me if they were built in the 1870s (or earlier), as Spring Garden is a very old neighborhood. I hope someone other than a slumlord purchases them. If I had the means or the skills to restore these homes, I'd seriously consider making an offer. However, as of the present time, I'm not in a position to do so. Considering I make less than $30,000 a year, I can't afford to put all of my savings into these houses; it's just too much of a risk to do that. I could easily see putting $40,000 or $50,000 into restoring the two homes.

[Q-tip motha]

Originally Posted by Hopes

That's very easy and inexpensive to fix.

Yes it is. Just build a wall around it from the chimney to the wall with the window. Will only take some 2x4s and some drywall.

[Q-tip motha]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

Being very, very new to Pittsburgh, I readily admit to not knowing a great deal about crime in the city's various neighborhoods. That would be Uptownkid's domain. Perhaps he'll chime in soon and give us his very informed viewpoint. However, in my humble opinion as a newcomer to the city, there seems to me to be less of a bad element in Spring Hill than in Brighton Heights. But again, that's just my opinion.

The lower North Side is really quite an interesting place. While some areas are appreciated (e.g., lower Manchester, the Mexican War Streets, West Deutschtown), and consequently, have gentrified to the point of pricing most younger people and people of modest means out of the market, there remain these great places east of the highway that are often overlooked and unappreciated (but fortunately, quite cheap). I am, of course, talking about Spring Hill, Spring Garden, Troy Hill, and East Deutschtown. It is my opinion that these neighborhoods have great potential. When people finally realize their character, I think they will recover--maybe not full-out gentrify, but definitely improve.

Someday when I find the right house for the right price, I plan on buying in one of these very historic neighborhoods. The challenge, however, is finding a historically-intact house for a reasonable price that doesn't require a ton of work. That's easier said than done.

The two homes I posted the links to are very charming and quite old. It wouldn't surprise me if they were built in the 1870s (or earlier), as Spring Garden is a very old neighborhood. I hope someone other than a slumlord purchases them. If I had the means or the skills to restore these homes, I'd seriously consider making an offer. However, as of the present time, I'm not in a position to do so. Considering I make less than $30,000 a year, I can't afford to put all of my savings into these houses; it's just too much of a risk to do that. I could easily see putting $40,000 or $50,000 into restoring the two homes.

That would be my point.


I also tend to agree with you on the potential of many of those neighborhoods. I actually own a money pit.

The thing about doing the work yourself is that your enthusiasm will fade quickly, and then it becomes more of a chore. Probably the hardest thing (or at least I hope it is) that my marriage has gone through is living in a home that we...no...that I am fixing up.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

Just wondering, why does that need to be fixed? I rather like the primitive look of the exposed pipe. It's not something you see everyday.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't meet today's building codes.

[aw_now_what]

Originally Posted by juliegt

I'm pretty sure it doesn't meet today's building codes.

It looks like new PVC pipe rather than a "primitive" metal pipe that I would get the old-timey appeal of. Note where the plaster ceiling is disturbed around it. I agree with juliegt that it likely doesn't meet building codes; if someone is asking $17k for a house, you can bet that work done in recent memory wasn't done by an actual plumber, electrician, etc.

[PreservationPioneer]

I have to chime in here. Why are we assuming that the homes are not liveable as-is? Why do we assume that a fortune needs to be spent? Assuming you like the house the way it is, and everything works, there isn't much that needs to be done. Make sure the furnace, plumbing, and electrical are operational. Make sure the roof is sealed and does not leak. The rest is cosmetic. Most old homes do not meet current building codes, but they are grandfathered in.

I very much doubt everything in my old house is upto current code, but everything is functional, and there was no issue getting an occupancy permit.

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

I love these two houses. I just don't know if they were be money pits or not. I don't know if it's a risk I can take, especially since I don't have a lot of money to begin with.

I did it. Just pay cash for a house. The money you save living rent-free will pay for any repairs, and will pay for the house three times over in a few years. My little row house was a dump when I bought it, but everything worked. I had the carpets cleaned, washed the walls, and moved in.