Relocating from LI (Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, Lebanon: apartment, rentals, how much)

[Bgnngs42]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum, need a little help with a relocation decision. I really need to know how the area is around the Federal building on Liberty
Ave? I'm coming from a suburb of LI and am really excited about the possibilities of Pittsburgh. I've been doing a lot of reading on this site and think I'm getting more confused on the different areas people have suggested to live. For right now my main concern is there any reason I would not want to accept a job in the area of the federal building?

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by Bgnngs42

Hi,
I'm new to this forum, need a little help with a relocation decision. I really need to know how the area is around the Federal building on Liberty
Ave? I'm coming from a suburb of LI and am really excited about the possibilities of Pittsburgh. I've been doing a lot of reading on this site and think I'm getting more confused on the different areas people have suggested to live. For right now my main concern is there any reason I would not want to accept a job in the area of the federal building?

You'll be fine, and when you get here, let me know, and we can go see the Islanders play the Penguins!

[Bgnngs42]

Can't thank you enough for the response. You make it seem like I would have nothing to fear in the city. From my research I've done can I safely say the city of Pittsburgh is unlike anything compared to NYC? I'm speaking of traffic compared to NYC. Being from LI the expressway (LIE) is just about the only traffic I would deal with. I would be leaving everything I know. They only gave me till the 23rd, now I have to quickly fly to Pittsburgh, find an apartment in a city I don't know much about or even my way around. Should be a fun experience!! Any other recommendations you might have would be welcome. Thanks again.

[vwscottie]

Well traffic compared to NYC, no, NYC has it beat. BUT, that's not to say it's not a pain in the ass. I am continually amazed at the long never ending lines of traffic into the city when we have such a great light rail and bus transit line. I just moved here over a year ago myself, and one of the greatest laughs I get in traffic is Pittsburgh drivers drive expecting, no, assuming you will let them in to traffic. If/when you don't, the look the other driver gives you makes you think they are traumatized for life LOL.

[Bgnngs42]

Well here on LI the drivers don't wait to see if you will let them in, they just cut right in front of you and continue chatting on their cell phone clueless to the fact they almost caused an accident. Went to visit family in Florida last month, the drivers were not any better.

[fleetiebelle]

Would you rather live in the city or the suburbs? A 30 minute commute in Pittsburgh will get you a long way. Southern Suburbs like Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, or Bethel Park are close to the light rail line which will take you right downtown. I'm not as familiar with the northern suburbs, but they're just as nice, if not nicer. Established city neighborhoods like Shadyside, Regent Square, Squirrel Hill and the South Side and Mt. Washington are on the bus line, and where a lot of cool local businesses, restaurants, etc are. And then there are the up-and-coming "grittier" neighborhoods (Pittsburgh gritty, not gritty gritty) like Bloomfield, Friendship, Lawrenceville, and parts of East Liberty and Highland Park, where a lot of revitalization is happening. It all depends on where you want to be, how much you want to spend, and what your preferred atmosphere is.

[MissShona]

Traffic in Pittsburgh is a walk in the park compared to many cities.

However, navigating the city is a whole different ball game. There are many lifelong Pittsburgh residents who still get lost or have no idea how to get from "here" to "there". This is because the downtown area is shaped like a Triangle (so it's hard to get your bearings) and the topography is hilly and separated by rivers and creeks everywhere. The only people I know who truly understand the layout of the region are cab drivers, construction or PennDOT workers, or silly people like me who used to "drive around for fun" just to see where certain roads take you.

So if you fear getting lost, I whole-heartedly suggest either a GPS system or public transportation (my mother gets around Pittsburgh on the bus because she doesn't "understand" driving in Pittsburgh...and she's lived in the area her whole life!).

[suzeeq521]

I saw your other thread, but I didn't realize where on Liberty you would be working.

Do you want to be close to work - like walking distance? Try the Pennsylvanian. It is expensive for Pittsburgh, but probably still a deal compared to where you are coming from. You would be practically across from your workplace (maybe that is too close? Would be for me, but some people like that.)

Other very close options would be the Cork Factory or the Brake House (I think they still have units in both - I believe one is rentals & one is sales) in the Strip. A little further from your job, but still, literally only minutes away. The Strip isn't big as a residential area, but these redevelopments are great and I believe will pioneer this neighborhood as a great residential place. (The Strip is mostly shopping - especially good food shopping - and nightclubs, if that is your thing, it could be awesome to get in there now.) From there, you could bus into work in minutes and have so much to do near your home.

[nynjmapa]

NYC traffic is on another planet compared to Pittsburgh traffic.

NYC traffic>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Pitt traffic

The only road which I see consistent traffic problems with around the Pitt metro area is 376 (also known as the Parkway for reasons unknown to me).

You may not be aware, but if you are looking for a place to live within the city limits, there is a 3% income tax assessed when you dwell in the city proper. If you reach out to the suburbs, it is reduced to 1%.

I'll see you at PNC Park for the Mets games.