Family potentially relocating to Pittsburgh. Please help (Lebanon, Avon: apartment complexes, for rent)

[wilsond89]

Hello everyone! So we are a family of 4 looking to relocate to Pittsburgh. (Looking early next year as in Jan-Feb 2018.) My husband would be transferring to a position at the VA. I am a labor and delivery nurse. We have two children 5 and 2. Comments below are what is most important

What areas are best to live in? Looking for areas that are family friendly. Not afraid to open up and make friends. Nice to have neighbors over for dinner, bbqs, etc. Safe area as well, lower crime rates.

DS (oldest) is in swim and we would like to stay in swim lessons/transfer to competitive swim as he gets older.

Also schools are a huge huge factor for us. In the fall DS will be starting Kinder, and DD will be starting preschool. Currently DS and DD go to a high end preschool/daycare that utilizes the highscope curriculum (similar to Montessori). Looking to stay within that style whether it be public or private. I heard the Montessori schools are good?

Traveling is not that much of a deal breaker for us. We have to tote around two littles for activities. However with that said we do not want to have to drive 45+ minutes stuck in traffic for work.

Back to housing. We would be looking to rent rather than purchase. We would like to learn the lay of the land before committing to a house. For rent our budget would be a max of 1500-1600. We would prefer a house to rent. 3+bdrm, 2+ bath. Townhouse and apartment complexes like the high end ones would not be out of our list.

Thanks so much guys!!!!

[caroline2]

Which VA location? There's one in Oakland (central pittsburgh) and one in O'Hara (inner ring suburb).

[wilsond89]

Caroline2

The one on Delafield.

[wilsond89]

Or excuse me. Maybe the University Drive one?

[szug-bot]

OK, that's the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

I would suggest starting with Squirrel Hill. All things considered, its location is optimal, and a good neighborhood for family living. You will find your use of the car minimized compared to other possible choices.
Rents MIGHT be higher than your stated range, however.

[wilsond89]

@szug-bot

What is the rent range around that area? Also are there any websites that are better to look at for renting?

[jea6321]

Originally Posted by wilsond89

@szug-bot

What is the rent range around that area? Also are there any websites that are better to look at for renting?

most of the good city neighborhoods are going to be a compromise for housing. If you want a fairly modern, updated 3+ bedroom, 2+ bathroom in a good location of sq hill, shady side, point breeze etc. It could easily surpass 2k per month and possibly much more. As much of a city living booster I can be, Id suggest some of the north hills communities.

Mccandless, Ross, ben avon, Ohio township would all be fits. all the public schools in these areas are highly rated and would be just fine. I believe Avonworth and Northgate still share a swim program though.

these areas are easy commutes to Oakland and pretty much are easy access to all points of the metro.

you could also look into mt Lebanon in the south, or upper st Clair. both have good schools and are regarded as great areas to raise a family

[wilsond89]

Originally Posted by jea6321

most of the good city neighborhoods are going to be a compromise for housing. If you want a fairly modern, updated 3+ bedroom, 2+ bathroom in a good location of sq hill, shady side, point breeze etc. It could easily surpass 2k per month and possibly much more. As much of a city living booster I can be, Id suggest some of the north hills communities.

Mccandless, Ross, ben avon, Ohio township would all be fits. all the public schools in these areas are highly rated and would be just fine. I believe Avonworth and Northgate still share a swim program though.

these areas are easy commutes to Oakland and pretty much are easy access to all points of the metro.

you could also look into mt Lebanon in the south, or upper st Clair. both have good schools and are regarded as great areas to raise a family

What are some good websites/etc to start looking for housing?

[wilsond89]

anyone?

[caroline2]

That's a really tough budget which is probably why there's no good advice. What are you more flexible on, budget or the three bedrooms?