Help me understand what to expect for rent, etc (possibly moving to Pittsburgh) (York: rental market, crime rate)

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Yeah, home ownership in Pittsburgh is still damn cheap if you aren't looking in any of the top neighborhoods (aka the ones that are always recommended on this forum). For example, I could buy 4 houses in my old neighborhood for the price I'd pay for 1 I was looking at in Allegheny West. But then again, the amount of money you'll spend in property taxes and getting the place out of the 70's is no joke either. It's kind a of pick your poison type of deal.

[steindle]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

***Sorry just noticed this was a thread about renting, so yeah you are going to pay through the nose to live near Childrens***

Oh yeah, I should also note that I rented a two-bedroom house on Post St., literally three doors down from the (then-under-construction) Children's Hospital, for $575/mo in 2007 . By 2009, when my wife and I left, our rent had already been jacked up to something like $800.

[bluecarebear]

Here's an idea to promote growth. What about limiting the rent gouging in Allegheny County? Why not set the rates for rent?

To chime in on what others have said, I looked at a duplex that was $700 about 3 years ago. Today, that same duplex would be almost twice as much.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Here's an idea to promote growth. What about limiting the rent gouging in Allegheny County? Why not set the rates for rent?

To chime in on what others have said, I looked at a duplex that was $700 about 3 years ago. Today, that same duplex would be almost twice as much.

That wouldn't promote growth in the number of rental units, and would push a lot of current apartment complexes to go coop or condo, requiring tenants to buy the place if they wanted to stay.


There really isn't a problem with finding housing, just finding it in the haute neighborhoods that everyone wants to live in.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Here's an idea to promote growth. What about limiting the rent gouging in Allegheny County? Why not set the rates for rent?

To chime in on what others have said, I looked at a duplex that was $700 about 3 years ago. Today, that same duplex would be almost twice as much.

$700 a month would pay the note and taxes on something costing about $100,000. You can't build half a duplex for $100,000. If supply is going to increase (which is required for growth), the rent on housing has to be above the cost of new construction.

[guy2073]

I looked at a duplex in lawerenceville years ago that was 30 grand. There were drug dealers and hookers in front of the place. I am an idiot for not buying it

if rents are capped there is no reason to develop an area

[jea6321]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Here's an idea to promote growth. What about limiting the rent gouging in Allegheny County? Why not set the rates for rent?

this is absolutely irrational. there is no need to add red tape to a system that is actually doing pretty well. there is no lack of affordable housing in this city.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by steindle

there is no lack of affordable housing in this city.

How much do you think people who earn 30k can afford for rent? What about people making 20k?

[bluecarebear]

First of all, this city has very little few new complexes. That is not the issue. The majority of older units have skyrocketed in price. I have not looked at one unit that was under 50+ years old since I moved to this city. Most of these units have very few, if any, amenities. Yet, I am paying what people in other cities pay for the works.

This price gouging doesn't merit what is occurring in the city, which as one poster said, has stayed relatively the same. A mortgage isn't going to change over a couple years. The landlords are making a killing at our expense.

Other cities have rent control. Why can't we? It will keep the young coming to the city.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

First of all, this city has very little few new complexes. That is not the issue. The majority of older units have skyrocketed in price. I have not looked at one unit that was under 50+ years old since I moved to this city. Most of these units have very few, if any, amenities. Yet, I am paying what people in other cities pay for the works.

If you can figure out a way to build additional 50 year old houses, then the price of 50 year old houses will be independent of the price of new houses.