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

[talldean]

I moved here from DC two years ago. I'm 30, relatively well educated, attend Penn State World Campus, and take finals at the Penn State you're headed for.

Dining options in McKeesport and White Oak are very, very limited. Social options outside of bars would include pick up sports leagues, if you like softball and things like that.

Squirrel Hill gets a big thumbs up, albeit a longer commute. Regent Square - near Edgewood/Swissvale - is also worth a look. None of those have much crime. Wilkinsburg is low on dining options and still notably higher on crime.

I'd probably rent in Squirrel Hill or Regent Square for a year, and reassess after that. If you're moving closer to work than that, social and food options will decline pretty rapidly, unless there's some gem of a suburb I'm missing.

[jedibl]

Thanks. Your comments basically confirmed my suspicions. Do you have any suggestions about how to find rental places in Squirrel Hill/ Regent Square? I've tried craigslist, of course, but pretty much every place I see advertised there, if I google the landlord or management company, I come away with tons of negative reviews...

[pallmalls]

If you read any negative reviews for Mozart Management (mozartrents.com), ignore them. This is a college town, and they have quite a bad rap with the college kids, because they like to actually keep their places nice and quiet and, well, grown-up. I've only been in a Mozart building for ten months and I can't imagine how I could possibly have a nicer, more attentive, and more responsive landlord, or a cleaner and quieter building.

The only downside for you is that they have very few buildings that allow pets.

[jedibl]

Yeah, I already contacted them, and they said the only place they have that allows pets is up near the zoo. Which seems like it would probably add a bit too much to my commute to be worth it. But thanks.

[scenery]

I'd also like to throw in a mention for Greenfield; it's adjacent to Squirrel Hill and has a little bit more of a suburban feel and a lot of the houses in Greenfield have amazing views of downtown Pittsburgh.

[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

[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.

[ieatedyourcooki]

they repaired my storage unit within hours of my call last week.
i think they all allow cats with deposit too.

[freakshownia]

I also moved here from the DC area! (McLean) I'd stay away from Regent Square - I live there now, and it's very dangerous. We'll be moving away as soon as our lease is up! Squirrel Hill is very nice though.

[estenirvana]

Certain parts of Regent Square maybe are "dangerous". But the area is pretty big and covers several boroughs and neighborhoods. I grew up in Regent Square (Park Place mostly) and my parents still live there. I would hardly consider the area over-all dangerous. It's definitely urban, but dangerous compared to other areas like some parts of Wilkinsburg, certain parts of Swissvale, and some of Point Breeze? Not so much so. Although technically all of those boroughs/townships have pockets located in Regent Square, I haven't found any evidence that it is super dangerous or anything

[freakshownia]

I guess my street is just really unlucky =/ My upstairs neighbor was beaten and robbed on his way home from one of the bars on Braddock just a few days ago. It's hard for me to see it as a safe area, though I hear the west side of Braddock is nicer.

[sexyhockihoochi]

I did the opposite...I moved from McKeesport to DC (well Fairfax) 2 years ago for a job.

Going out options are very limited in McKeesport/White Oak (although White Oak is a really nice area, McKeesport can be really shady in places). You may be used to the DC traffic not to mind such a long drive from Pittsburgh proper, but you may want to consider Monroeville as an alternative. Monroeville is close to the McKeesport PSU campus (which is called Greater Allegheny or something now? the McK name gives people a bad impression...it's kind of like mentioning Greenbelt. Some nice areas, but some really not-so-nice areas).

Anyways, with Monroeville, you're kind of in the middle of things (it reminds me of Fairfax actually). You're close to the city, close to campus, and close to places like the Waterfront, Kennywood Park/Sandcastle, etc. There are tons of restaurants and places to shop.

Squirrel Hill is a really nice area (some of the places by Schenley Park are gorgeous), but just throwing out another option!