Where to Live Around Pittsburgh if You're Jewish (Philadelphia, York: violent crime, house)

[ontheroad]

Just for the record, like the christian faiths, Jewish people come in different cloths and colours. The reason I mentioned the lack of a temple in Pittsburgh is because not all Jewish people are Conservative Jews. If you don't understand that, or can't appreciate those differences, you will say, "my Jewish friends go to the synagogue for high holy days and it doesn't matter where they live." And it is equally too generalized to speak about Hebrew schools if none exist in your particular form of Judaism. There are no Temples in Pittsburgh, none.

Here's a brief abstract of some of the differences between a Synagogue, a Shul and Temples

http://www.jewfaq.org/shul.htm

Originally Posted by Hopes

Squirrel Hill isn't the only neighborhood that has a high concentration of jewish families. Fox Chapel, Upper St. Clair and Sewickley also have a significant number of jewish families. I know there are plenty of Jewish families in the Cranberry area too so I'm sure the upscale developments in Mars also have similar religious demographics.

Basically, any township with a higher percentage of wealth will have a higher percentage of jewish families. That's just a fact. But there are also Jewish families in other townships too.

If you only go to religious services a couple times a year, like most of my Jewish friends, then it really doesn't matter where you live. You should try to pick a place that is a reasonable drive to Hebrew school though.

Don't even consider living in Squirrel Hill unless you can afford to send ALL of your children to private school. The cost of the likes of Shadyside Academy and Winchester-Thurston is over 10k for KINDERGARTEN and it increases throughout grade school to high school being near or over 20k these days. Plus, Squirrel Hill is so predominantly Jewish that you might not be as comfortable since you're a mixed religion family even though you're raising your children Jewish.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

Just for the record, like the christian faiths, Jewish people come in different cloths and colours. The reason I mentioned the lack of a temple in Pittsburgh is because not all Jewish people are Conservative Jews. If you don't understand that, or can't appreciate those differences, you will say, "my Jewish friends go to the synagogue for high holy days and it doesn't matter where they live." And it is equally too generalized to speak about Hebrew schools if none exist in your particular form of Judaism. There are no Temples in Pittsburgh, none.

Here's a brief abstract of some of the differences between a Synagogue, a Shul and Temples

http://www.jewfaq.org/shul.htm

I had no read your previous post because I was merely responding to the thread starter. Please note that I never used the word 'synagogue' in my post. I was purposely speaking in general terms because I was obviously unaware of his/her particular preference regarding participation and form of Judaism. My sharing the preference of my friends has nothing to do with my inability to appreciation the differences; I merely offered an example of the considerations some people face since the thread starter had not shared any details.

[ontheroad]

In your one post, Hopes, you imply you know how and where Jewish people live, how much money they earn, that Squirrel Hill is not the place to live, riddled by crime and so predominately Jewish it might be uncomfortable to live there.

And somewhere you seem to have implied it is better to live in the suburbs.

Rather a high scoring response, I'd say!

Is this a fair assessment?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

In your one post, Hopes, you imply you know how and where Jewish people live, how much money they earn, that Squirrel Hill is not the place to live, riddled by crime and so predominately Jewish it might be uncomfortable to live there.

And somewhere you seem to have implied it is better to live in the suburbs.

Rather a high scoring response, I'd say!

Is this a fair assessment?

I'm in the process of addressing your previous post.

[ontheroad]

I'm fairly certain any processing has already occurred for me, but thanks for your consideration. ;0

Originally Posted by Hopes

I'm in the process of addressing your previous post.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

So much of this debate, if it is that, is our individual knowledge base and surmise.

I find Squirrel Hill mild in comparison to many communities in the US but perhaps it is because I grew up in New York City. And, in New York, like Pittsburgh neighbourhoods merge, but it is rare that they share the some territory.

But the perception of non-urban dwellers in this forum is that the only place to live is in the suburbs.

I don't think we'll agree, but I would appreciate it if the ra-ra suburb folks would recognize the differing points of view and respect them!

I'm not against urban living. The thread starter expressed an interest in Mars which indicates he/she has a preference for suburban living. As a result, it only makes sense to offer suburban areas with a higher concentration of Jewish residents along with the usual "Squirrel Hill" recommendation.

While urban neighborhoods rarely share the same territory, newcomers to Pittsburgh are unaware of these invisible lines and often take short cuts through dangerous neighborhoods accidentally.

Goodness, people do get shot just driving through!

Granted, it doesn't happen everyday, but it's important to be INFORMED when moving to a new area!

I have had to warn many friends who were new to Squirrel Hill to not drive through Homewood at night and to keep a distance between their car and the car in front of them at a red light.

I find it as amusing that you found my post disrespectful as you would find my saying your post was disrespectful. We shared our views. Period.

I pointed out the inaccuracy of Evergrey's information regarding the state ranking of Allderdice, along with some food for thought about his/her view on the demographics of the Allderdice population.

There are ra-ra suburb folk, ra-ra urban folk, ra-ra diversity folk and ra-ra non-diversity folk. Offering different opinions provides balance and allows people to weigh the information according to their personal ra-ra's.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I'm fairly certain any processing has already occurred for me, but thanks for your consideration. ;0

Then why do you bother responding to me?!?

[ontheroad]

I answered you, Hopes, because I don't like what sounds like antisemitism, anti-urbanism, presumption of wealth and sheer hubris, all in one post.

But, we are all entitled to our opinions, aren't we--especially online when we don't have to look people in the face.

Originally Posted by Hopes

Then why do you bother responding to me?!?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by subdivisions

Please stop implying that Squirrel Hill is a bastion of rampant crime. Probably too much personal info for the internets, but I can see Taylor Allderdice from my living room window. We've never, ever, EVER had anything close to a drive-by shooting here, or any other major crime. My neighbors are primarily middle-class Jewish families, and their children safely play outside in the yard every afternoon. My other neighbors are graduate students attending CMU and Pitt. The only annoying thing that drives by my house is the city bus. The only crime I've ever experienced while living here is a dent in my front fender from one of my neighbors backing into my car on a snowy day.

The crime rate in this neighborhood is one of the lowest in metro Pittsburgh. Further, the neighborhood between here and Homewood, Point Breeze, also has an extremely low crime rate, implying that wherever Homewood gang members go, it isn't in this direction. If you don't believe me, check the stats I've posted several times already. Wherever gang members from Homewood hang out, it is not within a 6 block radius of Taylor Allderdice high school. My guess: they hang out in Homewood. Those 10 blocks between here and Homewood equate to almost 2 miles in real terms, and a massive gulf in socio-economic terms. Please, please stop implying that Squirrel Hill is filled with cruising vicious gang members. It's simply not true. Squirrel Hill is a very nice neighborhood.

Squirrel Hill is a very nice neighborhood. If a family experiences problems in the city schools, the only options are to hope to get into a charter school like CAPA, pay for private school or move to the suburbs. Unless a child obtains a scholarship, the average middle class family can't afford to pay for non-religious private schools. This applies to families of all religions who experience difficulties in city public schools. Even if there is only a remote chance someone find themselves in that predicament, it's best they move into the area knowing ahead of time because it's not that easy to just pick up and move. Granted, the same options exist if problems occur in a suburban school. That's why it's important to take school districts into serious consideration when choosing a home.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I answered you, Hopes, because I don't like what sounds like antisemitism, anti-urbanism, presumption of wealth and sheer hubris, all in one post.

You're the one doing the labeling, not me.

There is nothing antisemitic about my knowing where there are higher suburban Jewish populations are located.

I never implied that ALL Jewish people are wealthy.

Let's deal with some facts:

Fox Chapel: "The Fox Chapel Area School District as a matter of policy avoids scheduling assemblies, field trips, graduation exercises, and other special events for religious holidays. District officials consider every major Jewish and Christian holiday, because of the many Jewish students in the district. Fox Chapel Area officials schedule graduation early in the evening on Friday nights, so Jewish students can go to synagogue with their families by sundown on the Jewish Sabbath. Fox Chapel Area students and staff in recent years have been given the day off on Yom Kippur.[7]" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Chapel,_Pennsylvania

Upper St. Clair has a Jewish Community Center.

I could continue, but I've made my point.

If a Jewish family is interested in a surburan school district where they won't feel like 'the only one in town' (the thread starter's own words), then it would make sense to suggest a move to areas where population and wealth have afforded the above opportunities.

Originally Posted by ontheroad

But, we are all entitled to our opinions, aren't we--especially online when we don't have to look people in the face.

We probably look each other in the face often.