Young Professional moving from Houston (Pittsburgh, Washington: 2014, rent, home)

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by UKyank

No way would I want to deal with commuting from the east end to moon daily when there are equally good alternatives to avoid that mess

I'd honestly suggest Carnegie over the East End even. Much shorter commute, and still a fair amount for a young person to do.

South Side is the best option though. Or something in "Greater Downtown" - provided it comes with parking.

[TheYO]

$2000 a month puts you anywhere in the city. I'd focus on three neighborhoods. Each one is full of 20-somethings and has a different vibe.

South Side Flats:
The nightlife epicenter of Pittsburgh. Tons of bars that are packed every weekend. Lots of restaurants and boutique shops along Carson Street, and a small lifestyle center in the eastern end of the neighborhood (South Side Works).
Vibe: Bro

Shadyside:
More affluent than the South Side. High end shops along Walnut Street. Plenty of restaurants and bars throughout the neighborhood that attract a less rowdy crowd.
Vibe: Yuppie

Lawrenceville:
The neighborhood that's making all the headlines. Lots of new and innovative (by Pittsburgh standards) bars and restaurants. Most of the action is taking place in Lower Lawrenceville (lower numbered streets/closer to the Strip District).
Vibe: Hipster

[hempfield n'at]

Having lived there in '99 through '01, I would suggest one of the newer places on Mt. Washington if you can find a place.
You can avoid the tunnels all together with your commute (several alternate, non-highway routes become viable from up there) and you are still relatively close to all the action downtown. You can walk to the south side, the stadiums, downtown and station square from up there and you are only a 10 min. drive to the east end / shadyside.

Things have most assuredly changed up there since '01 but it can't be too bad.

PS - I moved from here to Houston (Kingwood) for two years in '03 and '04 and loved it down there.
Post up if you have more questions.

[TheYO]

Originally Posted by UKyank

No way would I want to deal with commuting from the east end to moon daily when there are equally good alternatives to avoid that mess

There aren't "equally good" alternatives for a 20-something outside the city. No suburb can offer what the younger neighborhoods in the city have to offer.

Maybe the OP should check out Lawrenceville. That way he could take 28 to Ohio River Blvd and avoid 376 altogether. Or even take 28 to 279 to Camp Horne Road to Ohio River Blvd to bypass some traffic.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by TheYO

There aren't "equally good" alternatives for a 20-something outside the city. No suburb can offer what the younger neighborhoods in the city have to offer.

Maybe the OP should check out Lawrenceville. That way he could take 28 to Ohio River Blvd and avoid 376 altogether. Or even take 28 to 279 to Camp Horne Road to Ohio River Blvd to bypass some traffic.

I was referring to the suggestions of the east end (shadyside & east Liberty) specifically. No reason to live there & deal with traffic adding to the commute when neighborhoods with the same amenities in the city are available without the east end traffic headaches

[fleetiebelle]

I'd look at Mt. Washington. It's close to the South Side and convenient to other city neighborhoods, and it's easy to get to Moon.

[Lost_In_Translation]

I moved up here from Houston 3 yrs ago an lived in mt. Washington when I got here. A place near Shiloh was ideal ad getting to southside was no time at all. I've also lived in southside near southside works and I reccomend either living close to Shiloh and grandview if you pick mt washington or you live near Birmingham bridge in southside if you live there.

[Bong477]

Originally Posted by UKyank

No way would I want to deal with commuting from the east end to moon daily when there are equally good alternatives to avoid that mess

It's not that bad. 45 minutes or so average at rush hour, hour at worst. There is some traffic getting out of the city in the morning, but calling it a mess is a bit overstated. Southside would be a bit better for the commute though.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by UKyank

No way would I want to deal with commuting from the east end to moon daily when there are equally good alternatives to avoid that mess

I disagree with this. We have nothing that compares to the East Liberty/Shadyside.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I disagree with this. We have nothing that compares to the East Liberty/Shadyside.

I guess whatever the draw is, is lost on me. I'd choose larryville, southside, or the strip & even downtown to live in way before east Liberty/shadyside.
I'm not hating on it mind you; just not enthralled with the neighborhoods either.
Oh well, luckily we all have different opinions & not all fighting to live in the same zip code