Safe, and safer?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by davidschwartz

Wow, thanks so much for the quick reply. Being a freshman undergraduate, she'd probably stay in a dorm her first year. She's heard from friends that, generally speakin, it isn't the safest environment to be in, but that's so hard to gauge.

We have no idea where college kids hang out, where they eat, if they like to go into downtown and if so, is it safe; we are complete Pittsburgh newbies.

We live in Weston, Connecticut (an hour outside of New York City) if that tells you anything. Thanks so much for the websites; I'll go check them out now...

Living on campus at CMU is safe. Even though CMU is technically located in Oakland, it really is in Squirrel Hill. The homes on the surrounding streets are among the best real estate in Pittsburgh. It's certainly safe to walk around CMU and the surrounding residential neighborhood. Most partying happens at the CMU frat houses. That's my personal experience from years ago. I'm not sure if the school now has strong rules about on campus partying though. If they decide to venture out to party, Oakland is the most likely destination. She should not go into Oakland at night without a group of people. A big night on the town would likely end up in Southside. Again, it's completely safe to walk in Southside at night when with others. As with any area in the country, it's always best to only go out at night with a group of other people or at least use the buddy system. I highly recommend telling her to stay away from Shenley Park after dark.

[subdivisions]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Living on campus at CMU is safe. Even though CMU is technically located in Oakland, it really is in Squirrel Hill. The homes on the surrounding streets are among the best real estate in Pittsburgh. It's certainly safe to walk around CMU and the surrounding residential neighborhood. Most partying happens at the CMU frat houses. That's my personal experience from years ago. I'm not sure if the school now has strong rules about on campus partying though. If they decide to venture out to party, Oakland is the most likely destination. She should not go into Oakland at night without a group of people. A big night on the town would likely end up in Southside. Again, it's completely safe to walk in Southside at night when with others. As with any area in the country, it's always best to only go out at night with a group of other people or at least use the buddy system. I highly recommend telling her to stay away from Shenley Park after dark.

This is good advice. I agree with all parts of it. Also, I know that Pitt has an "after-hours" shuttle/escort type service for students who have gone out for entertainment in Oakland, and I bet that CMU has a similar type of thing.

[davidschwartz]

Thanks so much...very helpful

[Drover]

Hmmm... just curious, what goes on in Schenley Park at night that it is to be so studiously avoided??

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Drover

Hmmm... just curious, what goes on in Schenley Park at night that it is to be so studiously avoided??

Mostly I mentioned it because nobody should go into any city park at night unless there is a scheduled event, and Schenley Park was relevant since it's right next to CMU. I remember in the back of my mind numberous rapes and a few dead bodies throughout my lifetime. Of course, you can get that in any park anywhere. But the main reason I mentioned it is because Schenley Park turns into a homosexual rendezvous point for annonymous sex after dark.

[PROJECT PAT]

if your looking for a nice neighborhood 2 move 2 thats cheap, why not move 2 brookline. its safe enough and real close 2 town