Advice on morning commute (Greensburg, Swissvale: crime, houses, living)

[melissanicolle]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone does a commute from the Monroeville/Murrysville area to Greentree. My husband is in retail management, and received an offer for a store in Greensburg. My job is in Greentree. I really don't want to leave my job, but know it will be quite a daunting commute everyday. Anyone have any suggestions on routes other than the parkway, etc? How early would I have to leave to not sit in standstill traffic everyday? Thanks!

[Mugatu]

It's horrible. I have a friend who commutes from Monroeville to Carnegie every day. Allow at least an hour to get there. If it is snowing or there is an accident it could be 90 mins or more. He takes the parkway and hasn't really found a better route. He commutes to an 8am job, if you could start at 7 you might beat some of the traffic by leaving at 6am.

[melissanicolle]

Ugh, thank you , Mugatu! I figured, as much! I hate to have my husband miss out on this opportunity, but I really am not looking forward to that commute! Personally, I would love to live closer to the city. I grew up in Swisshelm Park, but he will not. He is more of a suburbs person. I hate sitting in traffic, so I'm one of those people that will take a longer route not to have to! : )

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by melissanicolle

Ugh, thank you , Mugatu! I figured, as much! I hate to have my husband miss out on this opportunity, but I really am not looking forward to that commute! Personally, I would love to live closer to the city. I grew up in Swisshelm Park, but he will not. He is more of a suburbs person. I hate sitting in traffic, so I'm one of those people that will take a longer route not to have to! : )

With all due respect I feel like I AM in suburbia when I'm in Swisshelm Park, especially when you get to the dead-end areas on streets like Goodman and Onondago. Has your husband ever even been to Swisshelm Park for him to see it's no more "urban" than Monroeville?

[melissanicolle]

I totally agree, steelcityrising! Yes, he has been there, but for some reason, does not care for it. I would love to live back there again, although some of my family who is still in the area think I'm crazy. They say with Swissvale being so close, it is not the same , and there is more crime etc. I would still be willing to live there, but I know my husband will not. It was such a great place to grow up! He does not like the closeness of the houses, so I know both Squirrel Hill and Greenfield would not work for him either. So, its a bit of a dilemma for me. I have a week to let him know if I'm willing to move out East.

[melissanicolle]

I totally agree with you! Yes, but husband has been there, but does not like the closeness of the houses, and also the proximity to Swissvale. I would love to live back in the Park, it was a great place to grow up! I have a few family members who still live there, and they say its not the same, because of the crime in Swissvale, it does occasionally spill over into that area. It wouldn't stop me, but I know he will not go for it. So, I know both Squirrel Hill, and Greenfield would not work for him either.

I wish there was somewhere else in between that he would agree on. He also wants to be outside Allegheny County, if possible. I have a week to decide if I'm willing to move East, and either brave the commute, or find another job. What a dilemma!

[stremba]

There's no good way to make that commute. I make almost the reverse commute on the Parkway (Crafton to Monroeville), which isn't bad, but I do see traffic stacked up from the tunnel to at least Churchill most mornings. Once you get past the Squirrel Hill Tunnels, though, you shouldn't be too bad. Perhaps getting off at Churchill, taking Penn through Wilkensburg, and cutting through some of the back streets into Edgewood might help. Being from Swisshelm Park, I would assume that you'd know how to get from Edgewood to Commericial St. and then through Frick Park into Squirrel Hill on Forward, then taking Forward to the Parkway entrance ramp past the tunnel. Just a thought - it may not be any better than just sitting in the traffic. Personally it's what I would do even if it didn't save time; it would save my blood pressure and piece of mind.

[melissanicolle]

Thanks, stremba! Yes, I do know that back way, and actually use it occasionally . I am the same way, I will go another route even if it make a bit more time to avoid the aggravation of not moving! Traffic gives me major anxiety! LOL I figured there was really no easy way to make that commute. Right now, I have about a 20 minute commute, no parkway, and if we move , I know it will be much worse. I just hate to change jobs, so mine is pretty decent.

[bradjl2009]

So you're moving to Monroeville to be closer to your husband's job? Where are you living right now?

[melissanicolle]

We live in South Fayette now. He was offered a position in Greenburg. My parents live in Murrysville, so it would be nice to be closer, but really concerned about the commute. I have a really easy one right now, and I'm not a person that is patient with traffic, LOL.