buying in greenfield vs. less developed north side (Dormont: organic, prices)

[zman63]

Originally Posted by icantthinkofanick

khyberpass,

I also advise you to do some due diligence on some of the forum members here while listening to these arguments. Zman is spouting craziness in almost every thread making some old doom and gloom members (I'm thinking of you curtis!) seem like Pittsburgh ambassadors. And well Hope, she once took over a thread about someone very excited to announce the first community public library and rambled on about it flooding, and got seemingly upset when they didn't acknowledge her flood expertise.

I dont live in the NorthSide, so I won't comment on it. I do live in Greenfield. At first I was sad to be priced out of Squirrel Hill and Regent Square, as those were my first choices for a house. But I don't fret over it nearly as much anymore as this neighborhood is really growing on me. First of all, Greenfield has hills. Unless you're incredibly lazy, you will be just fine. Chances are you are not going to be walking all around Greenfield so this won't be a problem. From a commuting perspective it's great. You are 10-15 minutes from downtown/oakland/squirrel hill/monroeville/the waterfront. The 58 bus will take you from Greenfield to downtown / oakland. Murray avenue isn't a short stroll, but it's doable from a lot of areas of Greenfield if you need more bus connections. It's easy to get to oakland from both Schenley (oh did I mention you're right by the park?) and the swinburne bridge. It also feeds into decent city schools, and there is a private catholic school right down the street. It's also plenty safe for a Pittsburgh neighborhood.

The business district is nothing to brag about, but it has got some gems like Houghs, schmidts, and a new coffee shop which is owned by someone in the neighborhood (not to mention the Hough family was originally from here) . There are new young people slowly starting to buy houses here for all the reasons discussed by others. My immediate neighbors on both sides of my house are in their 30s and have nice houses. Do the houses look amazing on the outside? Not necessarily, but inside they are completely remodeled with nice hardwood floors, and central heating/air conditioning. The houses were probably around 150-160K when they bought them a couple years ago. I've also talked to other older neighbors who are amazed at how much housing prices around here have gone up.

The best part about this neighborhood? You get the benefit of being close to everything but at the same time can come back to some peace and quiet, and not have to fight over a parking space or constant loudness on the street. That to me is priceless.

I started another thread in regards to an article written about the median incomes rising in pittsburgh. It also states the growth is in the north side lawerenceville the strip and the east end. Greenfield is not mentioned. While I think it is a stable neighborhood with an older population, the younger people are renters from college or grad school. It is not a hot neighborhood for young professionals to buy. Im sure the zoning allows homes to be duplexed. Observatory hill, perry north changed its zoning in 2010 to all single family. Any new or renovated properties must be single family. I live there and see the growth.

[CaptainPittsburgh]

I'll semi-back zman63. I'm a younger person and bought a house in the Northside a few years ago. My experience has been just about perfect, honestly. Unless you have concerns about children and school districts, I'd totally recommend a few of the less developed neighborhoods on the Northside.

That being said, I also have a friend who bought a house in Greenfield with her husband maybe a little over a year ago, and their experience has also been very positive.

So, I'd look at this as a win/win situation with a slight personal preference towards the Northside.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by zman63

I started another thread in regards to an article written about the median incomes rising in pittsburgh. It also states the growth is in the north side lawerenceville the strip and the east end. Greenfield is not mentioned. While I think it is a stable neighborhood with an older population, the younger people are renters from college or grad school. It is not a hot neighborhood for young professionals to buy. Im sure the zoning allows homes to be duplexed. Observatory hill, perry north changed its zoning in 2010 to all single family. Any new or renovated properties must be single family. I live there and see the growth.

And all you have to do is walk around each neighborhood to see the architecture is nicer in North Side and that it's more convenient to the city.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Hopes

And all you have to do is walk around each neighborhood to see the architecture is nicer in North Side and that it's more convenient to the city.

Yeah, but the chances of getting shot are lower in Greenfield.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Yeah, but the chances of getting shot are lower in Greenfield.

That and it's much more convenient to Oakland. Everybody I know works in Oakland.

[CaptainPittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Yeah, but the chances of getting shot are lower in Greenfield.

I know you're kidding, but I can add that my friends in Greenfield have had their car window smashed out and a bike stolen from their front porch. Dumb neighborhood kids no doubt, but nobody's smashed my car window over here in the Northside, haha. I don't leave bikes on the porch, though...not that stupid.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by CaptainPittsburgh

I know you're kidding, but I can add that my friends in Greenfield have their car window smashed out and a bike stolen from their front porch. Dumb neighborhood kids no doubt, but nobody's smashed my car window over here in the Northside, haha. I don't leave bikes on the porch, though...not that stupid.

Copy that.

My wife lived in the War Streets years ago when she worked at AGH. She thought it was great to be able to walk to work. Lucky for her, all the derelicts knew her from the free clinic and looked after her. She lived in an 8 unit building, everyone but her had their car stolen. She drove a stick, today's criminals are too dumb.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

That and it's much more convenient to Oakland. Everybody I know works in Oakland.

Most everybody I know works downtown or in the suburbs. Heck, even my friends who live in Squirrel Hill work in the suburbs or downtown. It really depends on the specific family and what they want to be near when they're not working compared to the commute.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Most everybody I know works downtown or in the suburbs. Heck, even my friends who live in Squirrel Hill work in the suburbs or downtown. It really depends on the specific family and what they want to be near when they're not working compared to the commute.

I was sort of joking, but not completely. There are more places you can live if you want a good commute downtown than there are if you want a good commute to Oakland (e.g. on the T line or up 579). Of course, Greenfield has an uncommonly good commute to both downtown and Oakland (at least until they blow the Greenfield Bridge). That's why it's housing prices are so high compared other areas of the city with similar housing and terrain.

[CaptainPittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Copanut

My wife lived in the War Streets years ago when she worked at AGH. She thought it was great to be able to walk to work. Lucky for her, all the derelicts knew her from the free clinic and looked after her. She lived in an 8 unit building, everyone but her had their car stolen. She drove a stick, today's criminals are too dumb.

Hahaha, hilarious!