East End versus suburbs...

[jedibl]

I'm moving from DC to Pittsburgh for a new job this fall. The job itself is actually out in McKeesport, and I'm trying to decide where the best place to live would be. I'm probably looking for a lease to start August 1st

Comments

[cmcmcl]

based on what you have said, i'd think you'd want to stay away from Sq. Hill -- surface maps can't do justice to the nightmare of commuting through the Sq. Hill Tunnels. Those familiar with the "back ways" all use them too - so there's just no easy way. Even the part of Greenfield that is near the Parkway entrance/exit -- you STILL have to drive through the tunnels and tied up traffic (I once sat on the entry ramp, with no exit possible - for close to an hour)
I think you want to look for areas near the entrances to the parkway - which would be the lower part of Regent Square, Forest Hills, Edgewood -- each has a business district with some dining options, but Forest Hills and Edgewood have an "old suburbs" feel. There is a small part of Wilkinsburg that borders on Edgewood that is lovely and near the parkway.
There's a big apartment complex just off the parkway (Forest Hills exit) called The Bryn Mawr - i have visited friends there in years past - don't know if it would be your cuppa, but i think it's probably safe, clean and is surely close to everything you seem to want. Don't know about pets though --
Please don't consider this a recommendation though -
good luck with your choices.
http://www.brynmawrapartments.com/index.htm

[quiet000001]

Oh my god, the East-bound parkway on and off ramps at Sq. Hill? INSANE. DESIGNED BY A CRAZY PERSON.

[_orz]

I once read some list ranking the "Most dangerous roads and intersections in the US" and the Sq. Hill on/off ramps got an honorable mention.

I'd post a link but I couldn't find it.

[eightwednesday]

I'm a highway engineer, I'm now affiliated with a university in West Virginia, when I use an example of BAD HIGHWAY DESIGN AND CHOICES with students, my primary example is the on/off ramps in Squirrel Hill (with honorable mentions to a few in Maryland and California).

And when I go back to visit my favorite city, or know others who go, I avoid using them and suggest no one who values their life and safety to use those ramps.

[finocchio]

i actually take people there for fun when they're visiting pittsburgh. It's a tourist attraction for me. They're always like "really? seriously? what drugs were the planners on?"

[jedibl]

Heh, thanks. I've seen the Bryn Mawr Apartments listed in various rental sites I've checked; I noticed the name because I went to Bryn Mawr College. :-) I'd been kinda hoping to find something not quite so corporate, but I'll definitely check them out when I come to look at places.

[ieatedyourcooki]

I think my(the one we rent with) rental company has some things over there, and they're pretty nice imo. http://steiner-realty.com/
only problem is the little half-ovens. not quite big enough for my cookie sheets. lol.
best of luck finding a place and welcome!

[freakshownia]

I saw a lot of nice places on their website, but when I went to the office today it seemed to...not exist. The sign was there, but the door was locked and no business hours were posted.

[ieatedyourcooki]

we've never been to their office. we communicated via phone, fax, and mail. They answer phones pretty early (8am) imo. I wish I had more advice, but i've never actually visited them. The people that work with the Bellevue side all live closeby in bellevue.