buying in greenfield vs. less developed north side (Pittsburgh, Oakland: wood floors, renters)

[Copanut]

From the Giant Eagle in Greenfield to Old Browns Hill Rd in Duck Hollow is .9 miles, less as the crow flies.

[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.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Copanut

From the Giant Eagle in Greenfield to Old Browns Hill Rd in Duck Hollow is .9 miles, less as the crow flies.

In other words, about 80% farther than the half mile you mentioned while Four Mile Run in actually within a half mile of Greenfield Avenue. You can see how that might confuse people.

[Copanut]

Fine. I thought you urban types were tough and could walk anywhere.

[Moby Hick]

The road to Duck Hollow doesn't have a sidewalk and is without a shoulder for most of the way.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

The road to Duck Hollow doesn't have a sidewalk and is without a shoulder for most of the way.

There is only 1 way into DH, over a bridge. Not a great area, knew a guy that was hit with a 220K reassessment, they used SH, since it's right over the hill.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Copanut

There is only 1 way into DH, over a bridge. Not a great area, knew a guy that was hit with a 220K reassessment, they used SH, since it's right over the hill.

Is Duck Hollow "officially" considered to be Squirrel Hill or Swisshelm Park? I've heard it referenced as being a sub-neighborhood of both.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Is Duck Hollow "officially" considered to be Squirrel Hill or Swisshelm Park? I've heard it referenced as being a sub-neighborhood of both.

You have to pass the Jewish Home for the Aged to get to Duck Hollow, and the Jewish Home is in Squirrel Hill.

I'd say its part of Squirrel Hill, if its part of anything.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

You have to pass the Jewish Home for the Aged to get to Duck Hollow, and the Jewish Home is in Squirrel Hill.

Duck Hollow is officially in Squirrel Hill, as is Upper Duck Hollow (apparently developers thought that "Summerset at Frick Park" sounded better). Duck Hollow is the site of Squirrel Hill's first commercial district, and I'm pretty sure the Run is the original part of Greenfield. Everything started on the river.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

You have to pass the Jewish Home for the Aged to get to Duck Hollow, and the Jewish Home is in Squirrel Hill.

It's almost to the river. I'd call it Greenfield.

https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-...d=0CJoBEPwSMA0