moving to Pittsburgh. Need help with neighborhoods (Baldwin, Brentwood: real estate market, apartments)

[susanfward]

My husband just found out he is going to be doing a fellowship at The University of Pittsburgh in orthopedic surgery. We are going to be moving there next summer, but I wanted to get some information and hopefully get some questions answered.
1. What are neighborhoods that we should look at that are safe and have a doable commute to the sports complex?
2. Can you find single family homes?
3. What are the going rates for a three bedroom?
4. Do you know of any realtors that could work with us?

[BrianTH]

I know a realtor who handles a lot of SFH rentals--in fact she helped us rent out our former residence while we were trying to sell it. If you would like her contact info, just send me a direct message.

Anyway, there are a lot SFH neighborhoods within a variety of distances of the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine (I assume that is where we are talking about) at a variety of prices. The more information you can give us on your ideal neighborhood, what you consider a reasonable commute, and approximate budget, the better. But I should warn you that the rental market in the core area is very tight, so you may have to be a little flexible about neighborhoods.

[Hopes]

ARe you buying or renting? What's your budget? Do you want to live in a city neighborhood or a suburban neighborhood?

[Bong477]

Pittsburgh is a nice city with plenty of good places to live, but its hard to recommend without some idea of what you are looking for (suburban vs. urban, are schools important, etc) and what your budget is. SFH rentals can be a little challenging, but is likely doable.

[Meryl Neiman]

Howard Hanna is the largest real estate agency in the area and has special loans for physicians. Doctors are eligible for up to 100% financing with no money down. That might make it worthwhile for you to consider purchasing a home even if you will only be in the area for a few years because you could go with an adjustable rate mortgage. I'm not supposed to advertise on the site but as you asked for a real estate agent recommendation, I would suggest that you look at my personal website, Moderator cut: link removed, please read the tos There's information about me and lots of great information about Pittsburgh's neighborhoods and real estate market.

Is your husband pursuing a sub-specialty in orthopedics? I have a good friend who is a hand surgeon with UPMC.

Meryl

[serum86]

It sounds like Squirrel Hill would be your best option. Lots of doctors living there and plenty of public transit to Oakland and the South Side sports complex. The business district has anything you need including a supermarket. It is one of the pricier neighborhoods in Pittsburgh but has a lot of variety because it’s very big. You can find everything from student type apartments to mansions. It’s a combination of urban and suburban. Family friendly. The schools are the best in Pittsburgh. Check out Pittsburghmoves.com. For examples of real estate prices.
As for the Mexican War Streets, I used to live there and wouldn’t recommend it for your purposes. Everything that westsiderkg said is true but there are some important downsides. Commuting to Oakland and the sports complex on the South Side by bus is difficult. During rush hour it can take an hour or more because the buses get held up downtown unless you use the 54c, but that’s a very long ride through Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, and Oakland. Plus the Mexican War Streets is still prone to crime, although not as much as in the past. Still, I heard gun shots way too often and was about a block away when a guy got shot to death in front of the now closed Mantanca bar on Monterrey. Someone also shot the postal worker in the hand not too long ago right on N. Taylor.
You may also want to consider the South Side. It’s more urban, somewhat pricey, with a very active nightlife and a great business district. The commute to the sports complex would be a piece of cake. However, on weekends you would have to contend with a Bourbon Street like atmosphere on East Carson. I can give you the name of a great real estate agent who specializes in Squirrel Hill if you want to contact me directly.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by serum86

It sounds like Squirrel Hill would be your best option. Lots of doctors living there and plenty of public transit to Oakland and the South Side sports complex.

Unless a new route opened up recently, getting from Squirrel Hill to the South Side Sports Complex would be a miserable two-bus commute each way. Not a bad drive, though. You'd go over the Hot Metal Bridge: no tunnels.

Originally Posted by serum86

Commuting to Oakland and the sports complex on the South Side by bus is difficult. During rush hour it can take an hour or more because the buses get held up downtown unless you use the 54c, but that’s a very long ride through Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, and Oakland.

The 54C is what you'd transfer to in Oakland from one of the Squirrel Hill buses you recommended upthread. Also, you wouldn't go through Lawrenceville or Bloomfield unless you got on the 54C going the wrong way.

Again, to the OP: say "no" to Squirrel Hill if you're taking the bus.

UPMC Sports Medicine

UPMC Sports Performance Complex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[serum86]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Unless a new route opened up recently, getting from Squirrel Hill to the South Side Sports Complex would be a miserable two-bus commute each way.

You are right that there is no direct bus from Squirrel Hill to the South Side Sports Complex, but considering that there are a good number of buses from Squirrel Hill to Oakland, it wouldn't be that miserable to transfer and, like you said, the drive is easy. Considering all of the other advantages of Squirrel Hill it would probably be worth it.

Originally Posted by jay5835

The 54C is what you'd transfer to in Oakland from one of the Squirrel Hill buses you recommended upthread. Also, you wouldn't go through Lawrenceville or Bloomfield unless you got on the 54C going the wrong way.

I was referring to the 54c trip from the North Side to the South Side, not Squirrel Hill.

Another idea would be to look somewhere in the South Hills (i.e. Brentwood, Baldwin, Carrick, Brookline, Dormont). You may be able to get a one bus trip from there to the South Side but I'm not entirely sure.

[gg]

Originally Posted by susanfward

My husband just found out he is going to be doing a fellowship at The University of Pittsburgh in orthopedic surgery. We are going to be moving there next summer, but I wanted to get some information and hopefully get some questions answered.
1. What are neighborhoods that we should look at that are safe and have a doable commute to the sports complex?
2. Can you find single family homes?
3. What are the going rates for a three bedroom?
4. Do you know of any realtors that could work with us?

Rent a new place in the Southside. Why deal with commuting when you can walk to work? It would be great to live there with the nice river trails and places to eat.

[robrobrob]

I would imagine that he is not going to take the bus for work.