Comments | pittsburgh: East End versus suburbs...

jedibl in pittsburgh

East End versus suburbs...

May 27, 2010 17:17

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 ( Read more... )

rental searches, landlords and realty companies, places: regent square, places: neighborhoods, places: squirrel hill, transportation: driving, places: greenfield

Comments 41

fasterpussycat May 28 2010, 02:53:23 UTC

I live on the south side and LOVE it. Been here 10 years.

[I also have an apartment for rent starting mid-June but I could hold it for the right tenant - if you want details you can email me at fastercat6860@yahoo.com]

fasterpussycat May 28 2010, 02:54:49 UTC

south side: http://www.southsidepgh.com/

The apartment is walking distance from all the shops, restaurants, etc. on Carson Street and South Side Works

freakshownia May 29 2010, 04:54:03 UTC

Do you know anything about the Mt Washington area? I've been finding a lot of nice houses for rent there but I haven't really ever spent time there.

eightwednesday May 28 2010, 11:43:55 UTC

I've lived in both DC (Wheaton/Silver Spring) and Pittsburgh (in Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Swissvale) in the past 5 years (now live in southern W.Va ( ... )

jedibl May 28 2010, 14:13:23 UTC

Thanks for the very thoughtful response. It's really helpful!

ekilon May 28 2010, 12:36:27 UTC

Let me give a shout out for the South Hills. Mt. Lebanon is still a very nice area, and there are some excellent smaller suburbs around - I live in Brookline and like it very much, but it sounds a little too uncitified for what you describe. Maybe the whole South Hills would be, but it's a good area.

No idea what your commute would be like - google maps says 32 minutes normal driving time, so maybe that's too long in traffic.

jedibl May 28 2010, 14:11:41 UTC

Yeah, I love the South Hills in many ways (it's definitely the area of Pittsburgh that I'm most familiar with, despite having not lived there for 15 years) but I just don't see the commute from there as being a viable option.

phoebus May 28 2010, 18:19:34 UTC

I live in Edgewood and I love this part of town. I think anywhere in the Swissvale-Edgewood-Regent Square-Swisshelm Park area would be great. Lots of that area is walkable, although walking to a grocery store probably isn't the easiest thing (depending on where). If you want something a little more suburban (but still close) also consider Forest Hills and Braddock Hills.

clnclarinet May 29 2010, 00:30:13 UTC

I have rented from Stan Weiner in Squirrel Hill, who I and others have recommended in the past. You might want to give him a call.

I lived in Sq Hill for about 2 years and really enjoyed it. Parking sometimes involved driving around the block but I usually found a spot eventually.

If you're planning on staying for a while, though, you might want to look into buying. Housing in pittsburgh is MUCH cheaper than in DC. I've just purchased my first house and am enjoying being able to decorate and renovate and knowing that my monthly payment is going into my house.

jedibl May 29 2010, 04:46:22 UTC

I think I'm going to wait for two years and then buy. I need a bit more time to save up a reasonable down payment, and I want to be absolutely sure that I'm staying in this job for 5 years at least before I commit to buying. But it's definitely something I'm keeping in mind for the future.