Relocating for Pharmacy School

[supersoulty]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Just a casual note:

The OP stated she wanted something not too costly and not near too many students. So, while a neighborhood like Shadyside is quite nice and very convenient to Oakland, I am not sure it precisely fits the OP's requirements, insofar as it is more or less the most expensive East End neighborhood and also has a lot of students.

Which is not to say it isn't worth mentioning Shadyside anyway, but I just thought it was worth noting for the OP the ways in which Shadyside is not quite what she was asking for.

But by comparison almost any Pittsburgh neighborhood is inexpensive compared to its counterpart in another city. And there are still some pretty decent deals to be had here, tucked in with the high end stuff. You can't beat the location either.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by supersoulty

But by comparison almost any Pittsburgh neighborhood is inexpensive compared to its counterpart in another city. And there are still some pretty decent deals to be had here, tucked in with the high end stuff.

True, but that is also true of any of the East End neighborhoods. So, for example, the best deals in Highland Park are still going to be better than the best deals in Shadyside, because housing in Highland Park is generally much less expensive than housing in Shadyside.

That said, I agree that one of the great things about going to school in Pittsburgh is that students can actually afford to live in some of the nicest neighborhoods nearby, which is not possible in most comparable cities. So, I don't think it is a bad idea for students to make use of that fact. I am just not sure the OP is looking for that sort of deal.

You can't beat the location either.

Also true, but that combined with the prior point is why Shadyside is not a great choice if you are looking to live with relatively few students nearby (the same goes for Squirrel Hill, which is nearly as convenient and thus also heavily populated with students). Again, though, having a lot of fellow students around is an attraction for many people--just perhaps not the OP.

[supersoulty]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

True, but that is also true of any of the East End neighborhoods. So, for example, the best deals in Highland Park are still going to be better than the best deals in Shadyside, because housing in Highland Park is generally much less expensive than housing in Shadyside.

That said, I agree that one of the great things about going to school in Pittsburgh is that students can actually afford to live in some of the nicest neighborhoods nearby, which is not possible in most comparable cities. So, I don't think it is a bad idea for students to make use of that fact. I am just not sure the OP is looking for that sort of deal.

I wouldn't exactly say Highland Park is within walking distance, though. Hiking distance perhaps. I wouldn't walk it. Plus Highland Park doesn't have nearly the amenities, to my knowledge.

Also true, but that combined with the prior point is why Shadyside is not a great choice if you are looking to live with relatively few students nearby (the same goes for Squirrel Hill, which is nearly as convenient and thus also heavily populated with students). Again, though, having a lot of fellow students around is an attraction for many people--just perhaps not the OP.

Shadyside isn't overrun with students. Plenty live here, but they are mostly grad students anyway, so its more low key and professional, not like a frat house, or anything.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by supersoulty

I wouldn't exactly say Highland Park is within walking distance, though. Hiking distance perhaps. I wouldn't walk it.

Neither would I. The students I knew who lived in Highland Park generally took a bus back and forth from Oakland, a couple drove, and I think one biked.

Plus Highland Park doesn't have nearly the amenities, to my knowledge.

It depends on what amenities you are looking for. Shadyside has great shopping and dining options. Highland Park has the park of the same name, which includes the Zoo and Aquarium. So, I tend to think of Shadyside as more of a singles and couples area, whereas Highland Park is more of a family area. Again many students might prefer the former, but a student looking to be away from other students might prefer the latter.

Shadyside isn't overrun with students. Plenty live here, but they are mostly grad students anyway, so its more low key and professional, not like a frat house, or anything.

Well, "overrun" would certainly be too strong of a term, as would "frat house". Generally, this is going to be a sliding scale: Oakland has the highest concentration of students and the most undergrads, Shadyside and Squirrel Hill have fewer students and more grad students, then places like Highland Park or Regent Square have even fewer students, almost no undergrads, and even the grad students would tend to be older and might actually have families.

And just to note one more time: I'm not trying to argue the OP would necessarily be unhappy with Shadyside. I just think that given her stated preferences, she should be aware of how Shadyside compares to some of these other neighborhoods in terms of costs and student population.

[Smily Gladshanks]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Just a casual note:

The OP stated she wanted something not too costly and not near too many students. So, while a neighborhood like Shadyside is quite nice and very convenient to Oakland, I am not sure it precisely fits the OP's requirements, insofar as it is more or less the most expensive East End neighborhood and also has a lot of students.

Which is not to say it isn't worth mentioning Shadyside anyway, but I just thought it was worth noting for the OP the ways in which Shadyside is not quite what she was asking for.

Shadyside can absolutely be what she is looking for. I am a grad student who does not want to live near lots of students nor in a neighborhood that is too pricey. I live in Shadyside and find that it can and has, for me, worked to satisfy those criteria. That's without fortunate birth or other monetary blessing. In fact, a great number of grad students (who also do not want, ironically, to be around lots of students) do the same.