Can anyone direct tell me how this area is? Please (Wilkinsburg: apartment, to rent)

[wmassjb]

I am looking into renting an apartment on Coal Street near the corner of Walnut Street in Wilkinsburg, that is supposed to be close to the boarder with Edgewood.
Before I decide I was wondering if you nice folks from the forum could help me discover more about this Street.
I have read quite a bit of negative things regarding Wilkinsburg, but I do not know if it pertains specifically to this section of the city?

Thank you kindly up front for your help

[PeterRabbit]

One side of Walnut Street is Wilkinsburg and the other side is Edgewood. Coal Street, I believe, is a block or 2 from Swissvale Avenue which is a main drag. I haven't been there in years but it used to be a nice area and I imagine it's far enough away from Wilkinsburg proper that it should be reasonably safe. You have two police depts. patroling Walnut St. which may be enough presence to deter the bad elements and I can't recall ever hearing about that particular area on the news for anything. Rebecca Avenue is a few blocks away and there is trouble there often. It's not as nice an area. Also, the Edgewood police station is only a couple blocks from your location.

[BrianTH]

That is a quirky little area ... it is distinct from the section of Edgewood across Swissvale and up Maple Avenue, and not quite as gentrified as the sections of Edgewood/Wilkinsburg over in Regent Square. But it also distinct from the parts of Wilkinsburg further northeast. More than anything else, it reminds me a bit of Park Place (the informal neighborhood straddling the border between Point Breeze and Wilkinsburg over near Braddock south of Penn).

Anyway, I personally wouldn't have a problem living there. And for what it is worth, you'd have great access for the Hamnett stop on the Busway (which is actually between Ramsey and Woodworth, so a block north of Walnut ... and someday I will need to get someone to explain to me how it got named after Hamnett).

Edit: Well, I just did some quick research and answered my own question. Apparently that section between Coal, Walnut, the Busway, and Rebecca is an informal neighborhood known as "Hamnett Place", and it even has its own neighborhood association.

[golfgod11]

Too close to "gun town usa" as i call it. Me personally, i would never live anywhere near Wilkinsburg or Edgewood, even Swissvale for that matter. Just way too many negatives. Just my opinion though. You would be much better off on the northern side of Allegheny County.

[prototypepariah]

I think edgewood visually is very nice. and my buddy lived on the edge of wilksburg and never had problems. That said swissvale and wilkinsburg are definitely not the best area's. perhaps it would be best if you spend some personal time there...maybe at night help give you an idea of what you think.