What area do you live in and why do you love (or not love) it?

ak111 · February 2014

It seems like we have people on this board from all areas in and surrounding Pittsburgh. With the prospect of putting my house on the market (again) and hopefully selling it this time, I'm just curious about where everyone lives and what you love or don't love about it? There's so many different types of communities to choose from in the general area.

ryanthegirl · February 2014

I live in Beechview, on the side that is right up against Dormont.

I love:

it's the city, it's close to everything, really great and affordable houses, on the t-line, walk-able, low violent-crime rates, low property taxes, multicultural, multigenerational.

I don't love:

the school district, petty crime (car break-ins), poorly kept properties in some areas, parking can be a hassle (thank goodness we have a driveway).

northhillsbride · February 2014

I loved the North Hills - Wexford and McCandless, specifically. Between the strong school district, access to everything and (relatively) easy access to downtown, it was an area that worked well for me. I also liked some of the areas off Camp Horne Road, too.

egpitt22 · February 2014

North Hills (Ross Twp)

What I love: close to everything (I can be at 3 different targets all within 10 minutes of my house, my dream come true!) but my neighborhood is secluded enough that I hear no traffic and you would never know that I'm super close to everything. Jake is only in kindergarten, but we've been happy with the school district. And coming from the east in our previous home, I have to say I enjoy the lack of a tunnel!!

What I don't love: everyone complains about the traffic on McKnight, and I will say it can be annoying sometimes (especially at christmas) BUT, that being said, there are so many back roads that if you really need to avoid the congestion you easily can.

bride2003 · February 2014

I live in Franklin Park which is between North Hills/McCandless and Wexford. Although part of FPark is in Wexford. I grew up in North Hills so I'm biased.

I like - location to downtown, airport, turnpike etc.. Easy commute, easy traffic. Lots of neighborhoods, yards, low crime, good schools

Don't like my school district - too large (NA), constant new construction & chasm b/w classes. For instance, where I grew up now looks like the slums even though we were upper middle class for our day. No central "town" area like Sewickley or Shadyside. After my kids are grown I'd like to move somewhere more trendy.

leiann2003 · February 2014

ryanthegirl said:

I live in Beechview, on the side that is right up against Dormont.

I love:

it's the city, it's close to everything, really great and affordable houses, on the t-line, walk-able, low violent-crime rates, low property taxes, multicultural, multigenerational.

I don't love:

the school district, petty crime (car break-ins), poorly kept properties in some areas, parking can be a hassle (thank goodness we have a driveway).

I can basically ditto Ryan! I also live in Beechview. Our kids are in kindergarten & 2nd grade and so far, we don't really have any complaints, but I really do think it depends on the school. It can be noisy, but we live right next to a main/busy road so that is to be expected.

AmandaJLewis · February 2014

We are in Bethel Park. We knew we wanted to be in the burbs, and the south made the most sense to us due to the location of our jobs and family. The school district is good, shopping is nearby and that is nice. But what pushed us over the edge to our house is the big yard, the interesting layout of our 1960s house, and most importantly an awesome neighborhood. Kids playing outside in the summer, and being friends with their parents. Really it is the kind of childhood I wanted to give to EJ. The biggest pain for us is the annoyance of getting onto 79 or the parkway. There is just no quick way. But it is infrequent we need to use it so we make do.

MrsYam · February 2014

We just moved into Ross Township (previously lived in Wexford).

I love that we're on a dead end street with minimal traffic, but we can walk down through a trail to the plaza with Panera on McKnight Road. It's close to the mall, shops, grocery stores, etc. Good school district (my husband is from NH).

I don't love the property taxes. Although, they're better than Shaler, which is where I grew up.

lishie · February 2014

We're in the east end, Friendship, and I love it.

We knew we wanted to be in the city, and DH wanted to be able to walk to everything we want to do. He has a short walk to the busway, so once he's there tons of busses stop and he can be at work quickly with no traffic. We can walk to tons of restaurants, stores, a park/playground with no problems. Tons of great restaurant choices either within walking distance or a 5-10 minute drive. I love victorian houses, and the neighborhood is full of them.

The school district isn't amazing, but I love the magnet school my son goes to right now. DS2 will start there in the fall. I'm planning to reevaluate for 6th grade, but hopefully I'll like the magnet choices available at that time.

amyjoy18 · February 2014

I've lived in the East (West Mifflin) and now live in the west (North Fayette). LOVE North Fayette. West Mifflin was really starting to go downhill when we left and I honestly did not feel safe in some of the Century 3 shopping areas.

What I love about North Fayette

Good school district (West A) but also has good options for private school (Rhema Christian School and Holy Trinity)
Good shopping area
We're in the country-ish, have 8 acres and lots of space, but can be to the major shopping area in 10 minutes
Montour Train and Panhandle trail are super close for running, biking, etc.
Proximity to the airport
Easy access to major roads

Don't like

Tunnel to go downtown. If I worked downtown, I would not want to drive that route every day.
Lacking good local restaurants (or I just don't know what the best kept secrets are!)
Taxes, I think they're on the high side, but I think that goes with the territory of a better school district.
1/2 day Kindergarten, full day would be nice.

kris356 · February 2014

We live in Collier Twp. (Chartier Valley) We moved from Reserve Twp (Shaler SD).

What I love: we are really super convenient to a lot (Bridgeville, Robinson, Settlers Cabin, the parkway, 79, 22/30) It is close to our jobs, I work in Greentree and DH is in Bridgville. My school taxes go towards my husband's salary :P.

Our house has 6.5 acres and seems like it it in the country when in reality I can be in Settlers Cabin Park in 3 minutes and to Settlers Ridge in less than 5.

What I don't like is how congested Robinson is, it is horrible I don't even venture over there on the weekends even going the back ways. And the lack of restaurants that aren't chains. We used to be so close to the city, North Side/Shadyside/Bloomfield/

Lawrenceville we got spoiled with things being only a 10 minute or so drive. And Mt. Lebo is just too congested for me. Seriously, give me McKnight any day over 19 through the South Hills.

I also grew up in the North Hills and that was my choice of area but there was no way we could afford our house and land out there. But it is actually less time to get to my parents' in Franklin Park now then when we lived in Reserve.

egpitt22 · February 2014

oooh, Amy's post reminded me...NH has full day kindergarten

not that it would be a make or break thing, but it was definitely a bonus for us!

rona118 · February 2014

We live East of the city in Irwin/ Penn Twp. DH grew up here and just made sense to buy a house here. Well and add that DH will not live in Allegheny county. Ha. Says the taxes are too high. So there is a perk... lower taxes. We live in a plan and really like our neighbors. I commute to Cranberry every day. But turnpike isn't so bad compared to the many years I did the parkway east. A BIG con of living in the east is that. And I find there is not as much growth in our area as north, west and south of the city in the way of jobs etc. If we moved again, DH would want something with some property. Not easy to find in our area. School district is great. Always ranks high in the state. DH talks about moving to Cranberry, Butler area since I work up this way, but our families are nearby. And I do not love my job enough to justify. Not sure DH could deal with the congestion of Cranberry either.

Meghan&Rich · February 2014

I live in (and grew up in) the North Hills.

Love: Accessibility. We live a few minutes from McKnight Road and a few minutes from 279. My commute into town is 15 minutes. The North Hills is easy to navigate is also very accessible to other areas, especially downtown. The area has a lot to offer as far as parks, shopping, restaurants.

Don't Love: Our school district. We are in Shaler, I'm not that crazy about it...although I grew up in Franklin Park and went to North Allegheny, which is a top ranked school, and I'm not crazy about that district either. The area has some of the top districts, I'm just personally biased, so take that for what it's worth. If we move to another district, we will definitely be staying in the North Hills area. I also wish there were more walkable community options in the North.

ak111 · February 2014

I love reading everyone's posts here. It gives me lots of ideas. I guess I should've contributed too :-) I currently live in Baden (Ambridge School District).

Love: Proximity to our jobs in Cranberry, shopping in Monaca, local festivals and fairs, and it's still not too bad to get into the City. I also love the small town feel and my nice yard and garden.

Don't Love: That we can't really walk anywhere other than around the block. This would probably be a little different if I lived in "downtown" Baden instead of up on the hill although there's not much to walk to even there. I also don't love how far we are from my parent's who live in Washington County down near California.

I would love to find a walkable community but as a previous poster said, it is hard to come by in the north hills and with working in Cranberry, that's probably where we'll end up if we don't stay in Baden. For now, I'm focusing on looking to get as close to 79 as possible though so I can shoot up to Cranberry and down to my parent's.

gwennythepooh · February 2014

We live in McDonald and overall like it.

Love - while we are in a small town/rural setting - we really are close to a ton. We're about 15 min from Robinson/Bridgeville/Canonsburg, etc. I love that our town is extremely walkable and we can walk to restaurants for dinner, walk to the library, etc (it was nice in Snowmageddon - I walked to the store for groceries). We are just barely in Washington County and our taxes reflect it - I think we got a bit more house for our money as well. And on the school district convo - we have full day kindergarten. Also because we're a smaller district, I feel like DD will have more of a chance to try whatever she wants activities wise as she gets older.

Don't love - a small town can be annoying in that everyone seems to know everything. And we haven't even lived here all our lives! Houses are older here and sometimes need a bit more upkeep, which people don't always choose to do. We've had a lot of major roadwork going on the past couple years as they replaced the towns gas lines in 2011 and this past year did the water lines. I tell myself this is a good thing in the long run, but it's been a challenge at times. I sometimes wish we were in a bit more of a housing plan so that there were a few more families with young kids - while I know they're here, it's not always easy to find them. And my love of a small school district is more of a love/hate. I sometimes wonder if DD will be limited by being in a smaller school.

ryanthegirl · February 2014

leiann2003 said:

ryanthegirl said:

I live in Beechview, on the side that is right up against Dormont.

I love:

it's the city, it's close to everything, really great and affordable houses, on the t-line, walk-able, low violent-crime rates, low property taxes, multicultural, multigenerational.

I don't love:

the school district, petty crime (car break-ins), poorly kept properties in some areas, parking can be a hassle (thank goodness we have a driveway).

I can basically ditto Ryan! I also live in Beechview. Our kids are in kindergarten & 2nd grade and so far, we don't really have any complaints, but I really do think it depends on the school. It can be noisy, but we live right next to a main/busy road so that is to be expected.

I'll ask in a sep. post. I don't want to hijack this one. It wouldn't let me delete the comment.

kris356 · February 2014

amyjoy18 said:

Don't like
Lacking good local restaurants (or I just don't know what the best kept secrets are!)

We must have been posting at the same time! I need some hidden gems.

WhitneyAnne · February 2014

I live in Sewickley-I LOVE it. Biased here as well, I grew up here. We are "up the hill", however, not within walking distance to town, but have more land and privacy. Where we are, 15 min to Cranberry, 13 min to 79. Love having the village, the library is awesome for kids and has events all month long, shops, restaurants, clean parks, nice people, lots of young families. Definitely higher property taxes. We looked in Cranberry but I could NOT stand the traffic-even when going from one house to another with our realtor. I didnt want light after light after light just to run to the store. BUT-the taxes out there-wow, can't beat that! The school district here is QV and it's awesome. We moved here a few months ago from Bellevue (our starter home) bc of the school district and I wanted to be back here so badly. Good luck in your search!

csuave · February 2014

We bought an affordable new construction house in South Oakland a few months before our wedding last year. I love that it is new construction and has a rooftop deck with city view and offstreet parking. It is also very walkable. I can walk to my job in the southside in about 20 minutes, Phipps and Forbes are only 15 minutes or so away. Parking is pretty good in our specific area of Oakland too. There is also a nice group of really involved community members.

The downside is sometimes the neighborhood looks trashy. People don't secure their trash and then there is litter. Some landlords let their houses get too rundown looking. There are a lot of stray cats.

The students are a mixed bag. We haven't had problems with them but I have seen some litter from them. I believe a couple just got an award because they saved an elderly neighbor by taking him out of his home when it was on fire.

Previously DH lived in the North Hills. Great area and we could use the carpool lane to work sometimes.

I lived in the Robinson/Imperial area. My townhouse was SO affordable. I loved the shopping and conveniences there. When my job was local it was great. When I started working in the southside the commute got on my nerves.

MaryM · February 2014

I love in Robinson and love it. Close to everything and happy to be here. My kids go to Catholic School so I don't know much about our school district to say anything about that, but I do love my kids school.

Taxes are outrageous but I work in Oakland and can't imagine living in Cranberry or Washington County for the commute, so for us it's worth it.

october2004 · February 2014

We live in Upper St. Clair.
Love:
- the school district is Number 1 in the state.
- big lots
- convenient to 2 malls, restaurants, town area of Mt. Lebo.
- the "green along 19" commitment that the town has made, so 19 isn't commercial or industrial.
- convenient to the T

Don't love:
- there are cool old houses here and there (we have one), but in general the neighborhood character is meh.
- inconvenient to 79.
- the commute to town is a bit long during rush hour.
- you have to go to Mt. Lebo to get to a town.

We lived in Mt. Lebo for 6 years, too, so I'll do pluses and minuses for that area.

Mt. Lebo
Love:
- great residential architecture and tons of character
- 2 cute, bustling commercial districts
- lots of nice restaurants
- great school district
- convenient to downtown and public transportation.

Don't love:
- tiny lots, in general
- the larger, 4 bedroom + houses are sold at a premium price because most houses are 3 BR
- no busing to school, which is inconvenient
- lots of busy streets and high tension power lines criss crossing the town.

northhillsbride · February 2014

Abby - you should look at the Cranberry end of Baden - it only took me 10-12 minutes to get over to 79 from where I lived. Nice neighborhoods, too - especially the one before Walnut Drive - ugh I'm drawing a blank on what they call that plan. It's a little pricier (low 200s), but a lot of nice trees and decent sized homes.

billiburrows · February 2014

we live in Edgewood.

what i love about it:

-the houses are all unique, older, charm, character

-family friendly/community events- progressive dinner, santa/easter bunny, library events, etc.

-location- close to regent square and can be in sq hill or waterfront or monroeville in 10 mins. oakland in 15.

-the busway-take the bus to work quickly! comes frequently

what i don't love about it:

-the school district

-some areas are right up against some not so good areas of wilkinsburg

smynings_bride · February 2014

bride2003 said:

I live in Franklin Park which is between North Hills/McCandless and Wexford. Although part of FPark is in Wexford. I grew up in North Hills so I'm biased.
I like - location to downtown, airport, turnpike etc.. Easy commute, easy traffic. Lots of neighborhoods, yards, low crime, good schools
Don't like my school district - too large (NA), constant new construction & chasm b/w classes. For instance, where I grew up now looks like the slums even though we were upper middle class for our day. No central "town" area like Sewickley or Shadyside. After my kids are grown I'd like to move somewhere more trendy.

We live in Franklin Park too (the part in the Sewickley zip code):

I agree with all your "likes" but will add that I love the proximity to Soergels, Shenots and other farms in the spring/summer and fall. I live the proximity to Cranberry without the Cranberry traffic. FP does a great job clearing the roads.

Don't like--there isn't a Giant Eagle that's terribly close to us except for a yucky one on McKnight. I I hear mixed reviews of the NA school district, mostly good stuff, though the redistricting is unsettling, I think our neighborhood was just redistricted for Middle School. DD is not yet in kindergarten so I'll reserve judgment.

mcmfan · February 2014

We live in Deutschtown which is a tiny historic neighborhood on the Northside.

Loves:
I can walk all kinds of places, my neighborhood, PNC park (10 minutes), downtown (12 minutes) Strip district (25 minutes).
I have really nice neighbors.
All kinds of remodeling and construction is going on here so our property value is on the rise. It is easy for my commute up north for work because of easy access to 279. The North Hills is easy to get to for chain shopping.
We have a couple of nice pubs we can stumble to (James Street Gastropub and Max's Allegheny Tavern).
I don't live on a steep hill and I don't have a huge flight of stairs to my front door. Taxes are insanely cheap here in Pittsburgh (I moved from another state).

Dislike:
We have owned mid century modern ranch houses until we moved to Pittsburgh and we wished we could have had one here. But we were limited by my work commute. There were some great MCM houses in the North Hills but no sidewalks and we love to take walks.
Row houses are beautiful but 3 flights of stairs to the basement to do laundry gets old.

And I third or fourth the traffic concerns of Cranberry. We rented there while we were looking for our house and the traffic is so bad that my commute is actually 5 minutes shorter now even though I live 15+ miles south of our old apartment.

What area do you live in and why do you love (or not love) it?

Re: What area do you live in and why do you love (or not love) it?

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