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1. The city has bounced back pretty completely from COVID, other than Downtown, which is much better than it was a year or two ago, but still nothing like 2019, and the South Side. Even Downtown it's just really the explosion of the homeless population in size - most of whom are harmless.
2. Crime is...fine. Basically everywhere. I've lived in the city the whole time I've been in the area (god, getting close to 20 years now) and aside from getting my car rifled through when I leave the doors unlocked on occasion (and getting my bike stolen a couple times like over a decade ago) not much of anything bad has ever happened. I can't think of may neighborhoods as a middle-aged white dude I feel unsafe in, other than some parts of Homewood perhaps. In terms of stats, I know I saw homicides dropped by 26% last year. Homicides are actually dropping faster now in the city than the county as a whole.
I'd say basically everywhere in the East End is improving now. I cannot think of a single neighborhood that seems to be heading in the "wrong direction." Lower North Side is still as fine as ever, IMHO. South Side has gone a bit sideways, but that started well below Covid, and a lot seems to be just that the East End totally eclipsed the development there, making the neighborhood go more downscale.
In terms of where to live, you really need to share some more information about what you're looking for. I tend to lump Pittsburgh neighborhoods into sort of two bins. There's the ugly neighborhoods with access to lots of amenities, like Bloomfield or South Side. Then there's the neighborhoods with cool old houses but less amenities, like Highland Park or Point Breeze. Price range also matters here.
Thanks for that update and the questions. They are difficult questions.
We love Pittsburgh. At our stage of life and though still working, we can basically live anywhere (within reason and crime limits). It seems the East End is getting difficult in terms of cost. We have a dog and walk him daily. I bike more than my wife but not often (perhaps that could change?). I also run a lot (5 to 10 mile runs when my body is working). Access to a gym is important. Don’t need a yard but at the moment, we are looking for parking and/or outside sitting area if in an urban area. Perhaps we could compromise on one parking spot.
We seem to be torn between really urban (Northside) vs places like Regent Square/Point Breeze/etc…very hard to find some thing affordable/acceptable for us in Sq Hill. Years ago we passed on a house in Sq Hill as we thought it stretched our budget…if we only knew then what we know now. Love Frick Park but also love the Northside access.
Thanks for that update and the questions. They are difficult questions.
We love Pittsburgh. At our stage of life and though still working, we can basically live anywhere (within reason and crime limits). It seems the East End is getting difficult in terms of cost. We have a dog and walk him daily. I bike more than my wife but not often (perhaps that could change?). I also run a lot (5 to 10 mile runs when my body is working). Access to a gym is important. Don’t need a yard but at the moment, we are looking for parking and/or outside sitting area if in an urban area. Perhaps we could compromise on one parking spot.
We seem to be torn between really urban (Northside) vs places like Regent Square/Point Breeze/etc…very hard to find some thing affordable/acceptable for us in Sq Hill. Years ago we passed on a house in Sq Hill as we thought it stretched our budget…if we only knew then what we know now. Love Frick Park but also love the Northside access.
Looking at what's on the market right now, I like the look of this in East Liberty. Needs a lot of cosmetic work (and a new kitchen) but seems in good shape. I walk this area a lot, and while it's still probably the worst block in that section of East Liberty, the whole area is improving rapidly.
Looking at what's on the market right now, I like the look of this in East Liberty. Needs a lot of cosmetic work (and a new kitchen) but seems in good shape. I walk this area a lot, and while it's still probably the worst block in that section of East Liberty, the whole area is improving rapidly.
I've seen some glass block in Pittsburgh houses, but almost every single window in that house is glass block....woof.
The North Side has progressed a long way in the lower/southern areas (flat areas) closest to Downtown, so, yes, Deutschtown/East Allegheny, the Central North Side/Mexican War Streets, Allegheny West, and Manchester are all considered very desirable these days with escalated housing prices to match. Troy Hill is also fine but still has some issues with property crime and drugs. Fineview is another sleeper neighborhood that is almost entirely residential and is very convenient if you don't mind using some city steps in a walking commute---it is right behind AGH and has amazing views of the city.
Then you get a ring of neighborhoods that are heavily-blighted and challenged---California-Kirkbride, Marshall-Shadeland, and Perry South/Perry Hilltop. California-Kirkbride is much, much safer than it used to be. Many of the dead-end streets off California Avenue between Marshall and the Columbus Avenue Bridge are extremely quiet, and I often see deer around there when I am out litter-picking (yes, the North Side is EXTREMELY filthy). Marshall-Shadeland has potential, but it lacks a professional/creative class presence. It is largely working-class to lower-middle-class, and the underclass here is disproportionately represented. A lot of the working-class whites have substance abuse issues, and a lot of the poor Blacks (not all) drive around at 45 miles per hour while running stop signs and blasting music; fight on the sidewalks; and toss litter on the ground right after I walk by picking it up just to try to coax me into a fight. It has a long ways to go. Perry South/Perry Hilltop has a lot of urban blight and urban prairie, and according to NextDoor, has a lot of problem teens who walk around with guns threatening people and committing property crimes (future gang). It, too, needs a lot of help like Marshall-Shadeland does.
Furthest out you get a ring of solid/stable North Side neighborhoods---Brighton Heights, Perry North/Observatory Hill, and Summer Hill. There are usually a couple of targeted homicides/aggravated assaults annually in Brighton Heights. The neighborhood overall is very desirable with well-kept homes and a decent-sized professional/creative class (of both whites and Blacks). The business district is small but has a couple of great businesses. The churches in Brighton Heights are very active. Observatory Hill has been stagnant since I moved here in 2010, but it is within my own comfort level now and isn't likely to decline in the future.
Terrible advice to just "stay out of the city".
A couple of months ago there was a rash of airbag thefts from Hondas parked along the streets in Shadyside and Squirrel Hill, so, yes, property crime can and will happen anywhere and everywhere. South Side is notorious for vehicle break-ins and package thefts. Despite us living in rougher Marshall-Shadeland we have only had two packages stolen since moving here four years ago (and, to be fair, one was misdelivered to begin with). There is a large unhoused presence in/around South Side, so if you are worried about package thefts and vehicle vandalism or break-ins I would avoid South Side.
In terms of violent crime the city averages about 50 homicides annually (we had a terrible year in 2022). Of those 50 usually only 1 or 2 are in the random or random(ish) club. Not that ANYONE ever deserves to be murdered, but if I hear gunshots and found out a neighbor was murdered for shorting their dealer it's hard for me to feel uneasy when I work a zillion hours per week, maintain my property, volunteer, and obey the law. If you mind your business those looking to do harm like that generally will steer clear.
Glad to hear you still like Manchester. It's a wonderful neighborhood. We would love to live down that way someday, but it is so expensive due to the housing shortage.
Manchester does indeed have great old homes. Many city neighborhoods do.
Yep. Manchester is uber-expensive for a reason. Tiny rowhomes there go for $300,000+ (often $400,000+). Then again Western Avenue, to me at least, is a better walkable business district from Manchester than East Ohio Street is from the Mexican War Streets, which generally is still more expensive than Manchester.
We'll just have to agree to disagree. I have been watching my own neighborhood continue to struggle since moving here in 2020, and if the rest of the city truly is on the upswing we have been left out of that good fortune. I also work in a part of Downtown surrounded by the homeless, so given that I spend the majority of my waking hours bouncing between Downtown's unhoused population and Marshall-Shadeland's gunshots and used needles my opinions of both this city and Mayor Gainey have both soured recently. I am hopeful Downtown, Marshall-Shadeland, and Mayor Gainey all start to find their footing and turn themselves around in 2024---or at least by 2025 (especially for the latter's sake unless he hopes to lose his re-election bid to a potato).
Wow. Thanks for all of that information.
We lived in Bellevue for one year many years ago. That is when I investigated Brighton, Observatory, etc…I remember liking those areas. I think my spouse is looking something much closer.
Thanks for that update and the questions. They are difficult questions.
We love Pittsburgh. At our stage of life and though still working, we can basically live anywhere (within reason and crime limits). It seems the East End is getting difficult in terms of cost. We have a dog and walk him daily. I bike more than my wife but not often (perhaps that could change?). I also run a lot (5 to 10 mile runs when my body is working). Access to a gym is important. Don’t need a yard but at the moment, we are looking for parking and/or outside sitting area if in an urban area. Perhaps we could compromise on one parking spot.
We seem to be torn between really urban (Northside) vs places like Regent Square/Point Breeze/etc…very hard to find some thing affordable/acceptable for us in Sq Hill. Years ago we passed on a house in Sq Hill as we thought it stretched our budget…if we only knew then what we know now. Love Frick Park but also love the Northside access.
The northside is fantastic for access , walkability, amenities and it is getting better every year with more businesses opening. The historic nature of the houses + the park is a combo that cant be beat anywhere else in the city. We love our own home there - if looking in lower northside, you are compromising a big yard a bit smaller of a house (unless you want to spend huge $$$$), but it also means less maintenance and time spent doing other things you really like to do. Cant recommend it enough!
Thanks. At the moment, I’m looking specifically in city neighborhoods.
Although it’s not the only factor, it would be interesting to understand the crime situation in all of these neighborhoods compared with when I left in 2019. I know that pretty much everywhere in the country things got wacky right after Covid. Would be interesting to know whether things are starting to get better.
Like, for example, are cars getting vandalized in Deutschtown or Southside in the middle of the night…things like that. Most violent crime occurs between or among people that know each other. Exceptions, of course.
Squirrel hill, Shady side, Regent Square, Strip District (Cannot believe I’m saying this one, 10 years ago I would not. Now it’s full of apartments and some Townhomes with more on the way. My favorite neighborhood), Central North Side, Allegheny center.
Now I don’t know your price range and the above I mentioned have their own unfitness which you will need to go to each one to understand what I mean. Like Regent Square and parts of Squirrel hill is directly connected to Frick park and makes it so much more beautiful. Or you want to go to the Frick mansion / museum. If you want to live blocks away from a Whole Foods, target, and city street shops but still get a good size single family home? Then Shady side might fit you.
Of course all of the areas I mentioned, do cost quite a bit.
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Brighton Heights
