Wanting to move to Pittsburgh (Philadelphia, McKeesport: best neighborhoods, apartments, to rent)

[Laurieljc]

I am considering moving to Pittsburgh. I do not have school-aged children, though I may have someone coming to live with me who is college-aged. So, I might want to be somewhat near the community college or the University of Pennsylvania. I know that I might be asking for too much but I would like to find an area that is SAFE, affordable to a person making $25,000.00-$30,000.00 per year. As I will be new to the area, I will want to rent. Can someone tell me a little about all of these areas and tell me if they might be what I am looking for? Squirrell Hill North, Spring Garden, Brighton Heights, Perry North, Bloomfield.

[PreservationPioneer]

Squirrel Hill is one of the more pricey neighborhoods in the city, and it's full of families and yuppies. It's very safe.

Spring Garden is a part of the North Side adjacent to Troy Hill and Spring Hill. All three neighborhoods are reasonably safe and are very affordable, but they are not necessarily vibrant or fashionable neighborhoods either (great views of downtown, though!).

I have heard very good things about Brighton Heights. It's also on the North Side. From what I have heard it's reasonably safe.

I don't know anything about Perry North.

Bloomfield is one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Has a great business district, and an artsy/hipster vibe.

[Renaldo5000]

Originally Posted by Laurieljc

I am considering moving to Pittsburgh. I do not have school-aged children, though I may have someone coming to live with me who is college-aged. So, I might want to be somewhat near the community college or the University of Pennsylvania.

I advise against living near the community college. The North Side is not nice. Check out Bloomfield, Lawrenceville near Butler Street and not too far down the road, Polish Hill, Shadyside, Regent Square, South Side, South Side Slopes or Squirrel Hill.

Also, the University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia.

[Urban_HillBilly]

You're going to have to commute pretty far to get to Penn.

There are good places in the north side. Not all of the north Side is "Not nice"

Also another thing I am getting sick of hearing is, "Squirrel hill is families and yuppies". Squirrel Hill has a large population of students, and people who are young professionals. Most of my friends here are far, and I mean far from "Yuppies". This is a stereotype usually from somebody who knows nothing of Squirrel hill or it's people. I see far more "Yuppies" supporting the lame gucci look, driving around in Hummers in the north hills then I ever do in Squirrel Hill. A lot of Squirrel Hillian, Non Jewish family, single types are college educated, dependent from needing to fill some standard status quo (aka house in the burbs with 2 car garage by 28), and don't fit anything near the stereotype a lot give us on this board. Another is that Squirrel Hill is a lot of single family housing. Yet this is true mainly of North S. Hill, a lot of South S. Hill is divided up houses, duplexes, small apartments, and even row homes.

You could afford a place in Squirrel hill on 25-30 a year if you looked. There are a lot of sweat deals of one or two rooms in houses or apartments here. I would suggest Friendship, Lawrenceville or bloomfield though. You will find most of the bang for you buck apartments or sections of houses there.

[greg42]

Bloomfield really does seem like a good fit. Reasonable rents, pretty close to Pitt (I assume that's what you mean, not Penn which is in Philly ) and you could conceivably stretch your money further by not having a car. It wouldn't be the most convenient thing in the world all the time, perhaps, but Bloomfield is a neighborhood where that is pretty doable with useful stuff within walking distance and decent bus service.

[JRTurner]

Could you have meant to say University of Pittsburgh? If so, with a student ID card from Pitt, your college-ager can ride the bus for free.

There's also Pennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny Branch Campus in McKeesport which is a bit Southeast of downtown Pittsburgh.

[jalex3425]

I live in Brighton Heights and I love it. I do agree that parts of the Northside are not nice. The section where I live Termon Ave has beautiful homes with interesting architecture. I am close to Riverview park, the riverside trail, stadiums, casino and Mcknight Rd for shopping. I can be in Oakland in 10 minutes. My neighbors are a nice diverse group. To see a different side of the Northside than what is seen on the news, join us for our house tour on Sunday, May 23 from noon till 5 pm.

[ferraris]

I'll have to jump on the Bloomfield bandwagon, I live there (in the part many would consider Friendship) and am making just a tad above that salary range (but also with student loans) and get by fine.

[Citypoot]

Bloomfield is good for what you want, but here's a couple darkhorses on a tight budget...

Don't overlook Swissvale. Very affordable, and the end away from Wilkinsburg is pretty nice.

Also, I wish people would give Manchester more love. It's so close to north side fun, cheap, reasonably safe, near the really cool Mexican War streets, and yet nobody gives it love.