Potential Move to Pittsburgh - Have a Few Questions

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

Incidentally, if I had that budget I would probably choose Downtown itself.

That's what I am still thinking.

Literally, in fact. Once we are past the child-rearing stage, I've been thinking it might make sense for my wife and I to move Downtown. Assuming we can still afford it by that point.

[groar]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Oh please! The $350K-$500K price range and you want them to live in the Mexican War Streets? STOP IT! Shadyside is a much better place to live with Walnut and Ellsworth. Seriously, what are you going to tell me compares to that in the North Side?????? The dump of a Giant Eagle next to the old Sunoco? FFS, you have to be kidding. These people are not in the under 200K price range. They can afford Shadyside. I realize that some people in the Mexican War Streets want them to move there, but I cannot let if fly as a real estate mogul for many years. Put your money into an area that is and has been a winner for a very long time. You can afford to buy in an established place. Goodness!

sometimes even people who can afford to buy in an established place would rather buy in a developing area that is a better investment. or that they just like better for whatever reason.

shadyside is not objectively "better" than the mexican war streets. they both have their pluses and minuses. i personally would never buy a house in shadyside even if i could afford it, because the neighborhood just doesn't appeal to me.

[beaumecpdx]

Originally Posted by groar

shadyside is not objectively "better" than the mexican war streets. they both have their pluses and minuses. i personally would never buy a house in shadyside even if i could afford it, because the neighborhood just doesn't appeal to me.

I have to agree with you about Shadyside. As a recent visitor who loved Pittsburgh and explored many many neighborhoods, I was least impressed by Shadyside. I did not care much for the architecture of the homes, rowhomes and apartment buildings. It seemed trendy in the same way of every other American city with a trendy hood. There wasn't anything particularly unique about it, other than it seemed to be the only neighborhood that was close to a Trader Joes and a Whole Foods.

If I had half a million dollars to plunk down on a house it Pittsburgh, I think I would choose something huge in Central Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Mt. Washington or more likely Downtown, the strip distrcit or the Northshore

[gg]

Originally Posted by beaumecpdx

If I had half a million dollars to plunk down on a house it Pittsburgh, I think I would choose something huge in Central Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Mt. Washington or more likely Downtown, the strip distrcit or the Northshore

If I had the money and no kid, I would choose Point Breeze. It is a little quieter, close enough to action. Frick Park, which is really nice and Mellon Park. It is close to everything, but pretty laid back. I am in my 40's. If I felt like going to Doc's or whatever on Walnut, I could do walk there or maybe go to Ellsworth and eat at one of the outdoor places. Or I could go to the little downtown Point Breeze. Oakland is right down the street and Squirrel Hill can also be walked to. Point Breeze would be my first choice. I like crashing out on a quiet street and they have them. Not much through traffic on many of the streets either. It is kind of sheltered by the normal city stuff like college kids peeing on your front yard or whatever.

Yep, Point Breeze for me. I might still end up there at some point. I am hoping for it!

[greg42]

With the working downtown part and that budget, no children, I'd probably do the condo downtown thing, or in the Strip; condos are available in both places, though not sure how many new ones left at Otto Milk in the Strip. (There have been a few resales already too.) You can try to rent first to check it out, but assuming you're good for that financing it'll be easier to buy as many of the rentals apparently have waiting lists.

But that's me. If you have your heart more set on a house, you'll have to look at other neighborhoods. But there are plenty that should work.