Allegheny County Foreclosures

[BrianTH]

My impression is the OP is more looking for a place to live in for some period of time while fixing it up, as opposed to a quick-flip situation.

Anyway, gameguy56 named some of the places I would have named. I'd toss in parts of Wilkinsburg, North Point Breeze, and East Liberty (although the latter two at least have also started to get priced speculatively).

[Hopes]

Doesn't matter, Brian. An up-n-coming area might not EVER become gentrified. I remember Manchester's renaissance in the 80s. The buildings are beautifully renovated, but they're still not worth much money because nobody wants to live there. It's been 30 years and the area never paid off for people hoping to make money---sort term, semi-short term or long term.

I think it's best for the OP to find a great deal in a moderate Pittsburgh neighborhood that people typically chose to live already. I think that's really what the OP wants. Afterall, he was most interested in foreclosures, which tend to even be in the best of neighborhoods. He only asked after-the-fact about up-n-coming, and I'm pointing out that it might be a mistake---especially since he was particular about the neighborhood where he would live when he was first asking for neighborhood recommendations.

[BrianTH]

It is true that there is always some amount of risk when buying in an "up-and-coming" neighborhood, particularly if you are looking pretty far out in terms of when the neighborhood is like to up and come. On the other hand, that risk is why there may also be a substantial reward (independent from the quick return you can sometimes get on improvements).

Personally, I'd start with the absolute requirement that you would enjoy living in the relevant place and can comfortably afford it. If you then want to speculate a bit on up-and-coming neighborhoods, that is fine too, but even if that doesn't work out you will still have realized the benefit of living there.

[TYREX]

Hopes I get your point... I will still be looking to live in Shadyside/SQ hill which seem to be pretty established. but all the houses there i looked online at need a MAJOR facelift
Polish hill and Bloomfield would probably be my second choice. and from what i understand i can get a pretty good deal there still on a foreclosure/fixer upper "project" house.
I think Pittsburgh will come out of the recession on top, and this large shale gas reserves will bring more young professionals in like me - unattached to school districts, etc. all of these younger people in their late 20's wont want to live in suburbia.

[Hopes]

Polish HIll and Bloomfield are good areas to buy a fixer upper.

They are established neighborhoods where you can find good deals, not "up-n-coming" neighborhoods that need gentrification.