Moving to Pittsburgh/Working in Carrick (Bethel Park, Lebanon: apartments, rent, loft)

[MPHGirl424]

Hi Everyone,

I am moving from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh in the middle of September. I will be working in Carrick and would like suggestions on the best areas to live. I am a single female in my early 30s. I would prefer to be in an area with others my age, has easy access to the Carrick area, and preferably doesn't cost $1300 for a 1 bedroom (I am dealing with sticker shock right now because it seems like Pittsburgh is way more expensive than Cinci). Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[fleetiebelle]

Wecome! I grew up in Cincinnati and most of my family still lives there. You didn't say if you prefer a suburban or city neighborhood, but to start I'd say look at Dormont, Brookline, and Mt. Washington (we have one, too!) for decent neighborhoods with an easy commute to Carrick.

[steindle]

Pittsburgh is remarkably on par with Cincinnati in terms of cost of living. The stats I can find say that average rent in Cincinnati is $813.26 and average rent in Pittsburgh is $813.00. That's almost unbelievably similar.

Where are you looking that you're only finding $1,300 one-bedroom apartments? You could probably get a nice place in Shadyside or a new loft in Lawrenceville or the Strip for that, but otherwise I can't even think of an area of the city where that price would be standard.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Buying a house in Brookline is your best bet. They are cheap now and will increase in value due to the fact that they are completely redoing the main street in the neighborhood. Not to mention it is very safe due to the large number of police officers that live there and it's very close to Carrick (you'll only have to cross one main road).

I'm just shocked that there's jobs in Carrick that are good enough to entice anyone to move here from another city.

[MPHGirl424]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

Wecome! I grew up in Cincinnati and most of my family still lives there. You didn't say if you prefer a suburban or city neighborhood, but to start I'd say look at Dormont, Brookline, and Mt. Washington (we have one, too!) for decent neighborhoods with an easy commute to Carrick.

Thanks, fleetiebelle! I am used to suburban areas but am willing to try a city neighborhood. Again, thanks for the advice!

[MPHGirl424]

Originally Posted by steindle

Pittsburgh is remarkably on par with Cincinnati in terms of cost of living. The stats I can find say that average rent in Cincinnati is $813.26 and average rent in Pittsburgh is $813.00. That's almost unbelievably similar.

Where are you looking that you're only finding $1,300 one-bedroom apartments? You could probably get a nice place in Shadyside or a new loft in Lawrenceville or the Strip for that, but otherwise I can't even think of an area of the city where that price would be standard.

Hi steindle,

You can actually find nice 1-bedroom apartments for a lot cheaper than $800 in Cincinnati. I just started looking at Craigslist for apartments; and am honestly not sure what areas I was looking at (still figuring this all out). I just kept seeing a lot of 1-bedrooms listed for $1300. Thanks for the help!

[MPHGirl424]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

Buying a house in Brookline is your best bet. They are cheap now and will increase in value due to the fact that they are completely redoing the main street in the neighborhood. Not to mention it is very safe due to the large number of police officers that live there and it's very close to Carrick (you'll only have to cross one main road).

I'm just shocked that there's jobs in Carrick that are good enough to entice anyone to move here from another city.

Thanks for the advice! I got a fellowship with CDC-NIOSH (and I believe it is located in Carrick). I just finished grad school and none of my classmates have found a job yet, so I'm lucky

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by MPHGirl424

Thanks for the advice! I got a fellowship with CDC-NIOSH (and I believe it is located in Carrick). I just finished grad school and none of my classmates have found a job yet, so I'm lucky

I could be wrong but I think that might be in Baldwin which is the adjacent suburb. Either way Brookline is still a good option.

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by MPHGirl424

Thanks, fleetiebelle! I am used to suburban areas but am willing to try a city neighborhood. Again, thanks for the advice!

If you're looking for something more suburb-y, you could also look in Mt. Lebanon, Scott Township/Greentree or Bethel Park. How much of a commute do you want?

[steindle]

Originally Posted by MPHGirl424

You can actually find nice 1-bedroom apartments for a lot cheaper than $800 in Cincinnati. I just started looking at Craigslist for apartments; and am honestly not sure what areas I was looking at (still figuring this all out). I just kept seeing a lot of 1-bedrooms listed for $1300. Thanks for the help!

Areas in the South Hills that would be relatively cheap, close to Carrick, have a decent 30-something population, and safe include:

- Brookline ($650-700 seems standard for a 1BR)
- Beechview (as low as $450)
- Dormont ($550-600)
- Baldwin ($550-600)
- Brentwood ($500-600)

... or if you're willing to live in a denser environment, closer to the center of the city, the South Side Slopes might be worth looking into. They run about $550-800, depending on how nice the place is.