Where to live as a single late-30s male? (Washington: areas, town)

[PghYinzer]

I am not sure there is much of a rent differential between the Brookline/Dormont and SFH rentals are probably hard to come by in both neighborhoods so it would work out for you in both.

While you pay more in income tax in Brookline, that stops if you leave and become a landlord. The real estate taxes on a house in Dormont do not. Just something to keep in mind if your rents are already near or at par, you will have more costs with the one with higher taxes.

Like most things, it will probably come down to finding the house you like that meets your needs now and in the future.

[jea6321]

[quote=mjfraser04;52774806]

Originally Posted by TooManyChoices

Even if you don't have kids in school, knowing that the school district is good has an effect on your investment (house).

This! Yes, resale value is a pretty big priority. Actually, not resale as munch as rent rate. I may realize Pittsburgh isn't for me to live in permanently. So I would love to be able to rent it out to good tenants if need be

rental rates in brookline, beechview, dormont, etc tend to be lower than mt Washington and south side. If this is something you may honestly be thinking will happen, id be trying to focus on the front side of mt wash/duquesne heights. You can get what you want/need and the rents make more sense.

brookline/beechview for a 175-200k house, you may only be able to rent it out for about 1100-1300/mo. The same priced place on the front side of mt wash can be more like 1400-1800. Obviously things can change over the next few years but my belief is the front side of mt wash will be a better investment.

[PghYinzer]

[quote=jea6321;52776896]

Originally Posted by mjfraser04

rental rates in brookline, beechview, dormont, etc tend to be lower than mt Washington and south side. If this is something you may honestly be thinking will happen, id be trying to focus on the front side of mt wash/duquesne heights. You can get what you want/need and the rents make more sense.

brookline/beechview for a 175-200k house, you may only be able to rent it out for about 1100-1300/mo. The same priced place on the front side of mt wash can be more like 1400-1800. Obviously things can change over the next few years but my belief is the front side of mt wash will be a better investment.

Question, what part of Mt. Washington is considered the front side?

[mjfraser04]

[quote=jea6321;52776896]

Originally Posted by mjfraser04

rental rates in brookline, beechview, dormont, etc tend to be lower than mt Washington and south side. If this is something you may honestly be thinking will happen, id be trying to focus on the front side of mt wash/duquesne heights. You can get what you want/need and the rents make more sense.

brookline/beechview for a 175-200k house, you may only be able to rent it out for about 1100-1300/mo. The same priced place on the front side of mt wash can be more like 1400-1800. Obviously things can change over the next few years but my belief is the front side of mt wash will be a better investment.

But aren't the property taxes higher the closer to the city you get? If that is the case, then the extra $200-$400 of rent in Southside/Mt. Washington I'd assume is just to make up for the increased property taxes.

[guy2073]

[quote=mjfraser04;52777539]

Originally Posted by jea6321

But aren't the property taxes higher the closer to the city you get? If that is the case, then the extra $200-$400 of rent in Southside/Mt. Washington I'd assume is just to make up for the increased property taxes.

The tax rate is the same for all of PGH.

[jea6321]

[quote=mjfraser04;52777539]

Originally Posted by jea6321

But aren't the property taxes higher the closer to the city you get? If that is the case, then the extra $200-$400 of rent in Southside/Mt. Washington I'd assume is just to make up for the increased property taxes.

if you choose Dormont, the taxes are significantly higher. the whole city of Pittsburgh has the same tax rate.

[jea6321]

[quote=PghYinzer;52776986]

Originally Posted by jea6321

Question, what part of Mt. Washington is considered the front side?

basically from Virginia to Grandview, and Wyoming to around hallock or so. I use this as a generalization, but basically within a short walk of Grandview/shiloh st or bigham tavern/olympia park.

[eschaton]

[quote=mjfraser04;52777539]

Originally Posted by jea6321

But aren't the property taxes higher the closer to the city you get? If that is the case, then the extra $200-$400 of rent in Southside/Mt. Washington I'd assume is just to make up for the increased property taxes.

As others said, Pittsburgh has the same property tax rate throughout the city. Now, it is true in desirable areas the assessed value would be higher, but your assessed value will almost certainly eventually be what you paid for a house, so there's little guesswork in it.

Pittsburgh has a relatively low property tax rate compared to some of the suburbs, in large part because the school district decided to fund itself with a higher local income tax (3% - 1% higher than in most of the suburbs IIRC) instead.

[PghYinzer]

[quote=jea6321;52785445]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

basically from Virginia to Grandview, and Wyoming to around hallock or so. I use this as a generalization, but basically within a short walk of Grandview/shiloh st or bigham tavern/olympia park.

Gotcha...makes sense. I picture it as all on the back side of Mt. Washington, with the front side being a sheer cliff. Mt Washington is one of those neighborhoods that I am always lost in, no matter what. I think I know my way and end up somewhere completely different than I intended.

[Paul2421]

[quote=eschaton;52785507]

Originally Posted by mjfraser04

As others said, Pittsburgh has the same property tax rate throughout the city. Now, it is true in desirable areas the assessed value would be higher, but your assessed value will almost certainly eventually be what you paid for a house, so there's little guesswork in it.

Pittsburgh has a relatively low property tax rate compared to some of the suburbs, in large part because the school district decided to fund itself with a higher local income tax (3% - 1% higher than in most of the suburbs IIRC) instead.

i have seen 1% to 1.5% for place outside the city. there could be some 2% though. so 1-2% higher.

http://mtlebanon.org/254/Comparative-Tax-Rates

this is a good comparison of tax rates in that area.