Yet Another “Neighborhood Recommendation” Thread (Pittsburgh, Oakmont: low crime, school districts, college)

[BrianTH]

Speaking just for myself, I'd be cautious about Beaver County in general. There are nice spots, but my impression from poking around is that rents tend to be pretty cheap out there.

[Hopes]

Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg are safe, popular neighborhoods. They might not be high priced real estate, but people live there. The rents are probably in line with Brighton Heights.

Interestingly, Oakmont's rents aren't very high even though it's a very desirable little town. I think that has to do with the fact that it's not as convenient as Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg.

Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg are SUPER CONVENIENT for being safe areas with low cost housing. As a result, they will always be popular areas for the working class.

The only reason I didn't offer more links to properties in Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg is because there are currently few brick buildings in those areas within your price range.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Interestingly, Oakmont's rents aren't very high even though it's a very desirable little town. I think that has to do with the fact that it's not as convenient as Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg.

My guess is that your guess is correct. Particularly towards the lower end of the housing market, transportation convenience and transportation costs start to become a big factor for many people.

[dirimini]

All stuff to think about. Thanks.

Obviously, before signing on any dotted lines, I'm going to have to do some intense number crunching - because it may turn out that, taking taxes, rental incomes, and other variables into the equation, a "cheper" house might be more "expensive" in the long run.

[dirimini]

So, after sifting through all of the information I've gotten from this and other threads, realtors' sites, a couple of PMs, and a couple of personal contacts, I think my very broad search will include the following:

"Transitioning" neighborhoods in the city:
East Liberty, Polish Hill, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, (Garfield)

River Towns:
Etna, Sharpsburg, Millvale

"South":
Heidelberg, Carnegie/East Carnegie, Mt. Washington, and (possibly) Brookline/Beechview (although I haven't gotten a whole lot on these last two, there seem to be quite a few properties there - so please feel free to comment)

"East":
Swissvale

"West":
Brighton Heights

I've also seen a few properties in Sheraden, but have little information on it. Comment?

I think I'm going to pass on Mt. Oliver, Carrick, Wilkinsburg, and Dormont - the last two, I've been told, have two of the highest millage rates in the country, thus really high property taxes. And that's a HUGE minus.

I also think I'm going to pass - at least for the time being - on Oakmont and Beaver County. They both look like they'd be totally livable, but from what I've hear here, the commutes can be a bear, and that cuts down on a renter pool. Most of the areas I've chosen have been those that have (according to the forumites) decent/good/excellent transportation (in terms of both public transportation and manageable commutes by car).

I'm also not totally ruling out upping my budget a bit - if, after crunching the numbers, the possibility for higher rents/lower taxes seems to make a noticeable difference, it might make sense to invest a bit more going in, and have a better return in the coming years.

If all goes well, I'll be in Pittsburgh at the end of the week. I've also gotten a couple of leads on agenst/brokers, so I'm hoping for a productive trip.

Many sincere thanks again. If anyone has any additional input, I guess it goes without saying that it's entirely welcome.

[barneyg]

Just for the sake of precision really -- Mt. Washington, Brookline, Beechview and Brighton Heights are actually part of the city.

[dirimini]

Originally Posted by barneyg

Just for the sake of precision really -- Mt. Washington, Brookline, Beechview and Brighton Heights are actually part of the city.

Yes, I knew this - I've been using this map a lot:

File:Pittsburgh Pennsylvania neighborhoods.svg - Wikimedia Commons

I probably should have phrased it differently.

[dirimini]

I'm planning on coming to Pittsburgh this week to look at homes, and would like to ask for some additional recommendations.

Because I'd like to get an overview of the city, including those things that are important in some way to me, I welcome any recommendations for the following:

1. Most beautiful neighborhood (architecturally, etc.)
2. Most beautiful park/green space
3. Most beautiful public space on a river/water
4. Most vibrant "arts" neighborhood (or, perhaps, "hippest" - galleries, etc.)
5. Best museum

Feel free to respond to any/all. Restaurant recommendations are also welcome! Again, thanks in advance.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by dirimini

I'm planning on coming to Pittsburgh this week to look at homes, and would like to ask for some additional recommendations.

Because I'd like to get an overview of the city, including those things that are important in some way to me, I welcome any recommendations for the following:

1. Most beautiful neighborhood (architecturally, etc.)
2. Most beautiful park/green space
3. Most beautiful public space on a river/water
4. Most vibrant "arts" neighborhood (or, perhaps, "hippest" - galleries, etc.)
5. Best museum

Feel free to respond to any/all. Restaurant recommendations are also welcome! Again, thanks in advance.

Hi dirimini!

I don't live in Pittsburgh, but it's a city I've always been in love with from afar, having grown up in Scranton and now living near DC. Here are my responses.

1.) TIE: Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Mexican War Streets: The first two have some very impressive historic detached single-family dwellings on tree-lined streets. The latter, in the North Side, has some great brick rowhomes.

2.) Frick Park. Located in the East End near Regent Square this park is simply beautiful.

3.) Point State Park at the confluence of the three rivers in the Golden Triangle may be nice, but I haven't been there in many years.

4.) When I think "hip" and "Pittsburgh", the only things that really come to my mind are Shadyside, Strip District, South Side Flats, and maybe Bloomfield, which is Pittsburgh's "Little Italy." Oakland is a very student-oriented neighborhood and may have a lot of cool dive bars, coffeehouses, and such.

5.) The Andy Warhol Museum on the North Side is pretty cool.

As far as restaurants are concerned the Church Brewery in what I think is Bloomfield is a great city landmark---an old church converted into a brewpub and restaurant. There was also a place I liked in Shadyside that had great burgers (can't remember the name). Supposedly there's a place in Regent Square that has great hot dogs, too (maybe BrianTH could help?) There's always Primanti Bros. in the Strip District, but I didn't much care for it. I suppose it's an "acquired" taste. There's a Hard Rock Cafe in the South Side.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by dirimini

Because I'd like to get an overview of the city, including those things that are important in some way to me, I welcome any recommendations for the following

I could come up with a different list each time, but . . .

1. Most beautiful neighborhood (architecturally, etc.)

I'll go with the Schenley Farms National Historic District, which includes both the Oakland Civic Center and Schenley Farms residential neighborhood.

2. Most beautiful park/green space

Frick Park, particularly the trails down in the ravines.

3. Most beautiful public space on a river/water

We've really been enjoying exploring the North Shore Riverfront Park recently.

4. Most vibrant "arts" neighborhood (or, perhaps, "hippest" - galleries, etc.)

The Penn Avenue Arts Initiative corrridor.

5. Best museum

The Warhol.

Restaurant recommendations are also welcome!

Legume in Regent Square.