Squirrel Hill and it's Jewish community....... (Pittsburgh: fit in, apartment, renters)

[ckhthankgod]

Does Squirrel Hill have a strong Jewish community? It seems like while it is know for being one of Pittsburgh's most cultured and diverse communities, it supposedly has a very strong jewish presence. Is that true?

[Sideblinded]

I live in Squirrel Hill, and I am not Jewish. There are synagogues within walking distance so there are orthodox, and non orthodox Jewish peolple living in Squirrel Hill.

It is diverse, but more towards religion than ethnic diversity.

I really like Squirrel Hill, it is very easy to get everywhere!

[Copanut]

I've lived in Pgh my whole life, Squirrel Hill has always been dominated by Jewish people. Oy vey, wat is wrong with you people.

[Sideblinded]

Mr. Rogers lived in Squirrel Hill! I am getting verklempt!

I do not base where I live around a religion. However, if I lived in Utah, I would look a bit closer into fenced communities before moving in.

I like it here.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

It seems like while it is know for being one of Pittsburgh's most cultured and diverse communities, it supposedly has a very strong jewish presence. Is that true?

Yes, both things are true (Squirrel Hill is one of Pittsburgh's most cultured and diverse neighborhoods, and it has a relatively prominent Jewish community). The estimate I have seen is that around half the households in Squirrel Hill are Jewish.

[Awesomo.2000]

Squirrel hill also has a large apartment area, and houses with renters that are full of diverse people such as students, young professionals, etc. I know people in Squirrel hill of all ethnic diversity that teach at universities, or go to school.

But the residents who own the houses in N. Squirrel Hill are largely Jewish.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Sideblinded

Mr. Rogers lived in Squirrel Hill! I am getting verklempt!

I do not base where I live around a religion. However, if I lived in Utah, I would look a bit closer into fenced communities before moving in.

I like it here.

What's wrong with Utah?

My VERY Lutheran relatives lived in Squirrel Hill "back in the day".

[Sideblinded]

Nothing is wrong with Utah other than it is 70% Mormon. I knew a few people that moved there and did not fit in at all, and their children were not allowed to play with most of the Mormon kids, because the parents did not want their kids playing with non-mormon kids. It was isolating for them. I am sure many families that are not Mormon do just fine there. I should not judge based on what I have heard.

My son has friends that are Jewish and Christian, and I don't know. I don't ask, I generally find out if the parent or kid tells me.

[Katarina Witt]

SLC is less than 50% Mormon now, they say on the Utah forum. Most people on that forum deny that non-Mormon kids are excluded. I don't know as I never lived there.

Sq. Hill has some lovely old homes. I think it is Pittsburgh's most Jewish neighborhood, but that does not mean it is all Jewish.

[Staash]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Does Squirrel Hill have a strong Jewish community? It seems like while it is know for being one of Pittsburgh's most cultured and diverse communities, it supposedly has a very strong jewish presence. Is that true?

I live in Squirrel Hill. From what I read (and observe), it's around 30% Jewish, mostly conservative or Orthodox. Neighboring Greenfield also has a strong Jewish presence, particularly immigrant Russian Jews. No wonder Evgeni Malkin's parents are considering moving here :-)

As far as other diversity goes, a lot of graduate students and university employees live here, many of which are foreign nationals (mostly Asian/Indian, but a fair number of Europeans and South Americans). You'll also find a fair number of African Americans in the commercial district (Forbes, Murray, and Forward avenue), but the vast majority of them actually live in other communities.