Pittsburgh Neighborhoods?

Question

I'm considering grad school in Pittsburgh, and I'd like to get a feel for what neighborhoods the locals recommend. I have a wife and son who will be 1 yr old when we move. I'd like to spend ~160k on a home, and I'd like to keep my commute to the CMU campus down to about 30 minutes.

What neighborhoods would you consider ideal for a young family with 160k to spend on a home?

Answer 1

I don't know what your taking in college, but for living somewhere, here is what I basically think.

For one, I would take your family totally out of the US and settle down in Europe or maybe even Brazil, Australia, Asia where your education will be honored. You might not be paid millions like they do here, if you are going for a med degree, but your skills will be far more appreciated and you will have respect from your community.

For second, your child deserves a better break than allowing him/her to go to either a public school or private school in this country. Our education system stinks, totally, We're raising jacka**es these days.

Your cultures overseas are way more laid back then here. They don't have that tension that we have here to suceed (can't spell it) in every part of their lives. And, your work hours aren't as long, maybe except for Japan and such, as they are here.

For a doctors degree, in Europe, there are world renouned universities that would love to have you.

As far as feeling safe goes, most parts of Europe and a lot of other counties don't have the high degree of crime that we see here. Some of their laws are very strict. But, with their culture, there isn't much need for crime as we think of it here.

As far as what you can invest into a home, that depends on where you want to locate. Your money won't be worth as much in Europe, UK because right how the Euro is around 25 to 50% higher than the american dollor. The US Dollor is worth a lot more in South America, most parts of Asia. Its worth about the same in Australia.

Please believe me, its the very best choice you can make for your growing family. Do it now while you still have a choce and your family is young. You might not get a second chance later on. Please, please, please consider my viewpoints.

And, don't listen to all these nay-sayers, their full of it. The grass is greener on the other side if you take the time to look.

I have thought about this issue many times, totally moving out of the US myself. I should have done it when I was young. Now that I am getting to be a senior citizen, I'm stuck for the duration. Then too, if I were smart, I'd move to Mexico, next to the US border. They have senior citizen communites down there that are marvelous. Your social security payments stretch a lot further down there. Its warm year round, very little crime problems and from what I hear, the mexican people down there are great.

Answer 2

You won't have any problem finding something suitable. You'll probably want to look in the Eastern suburbs (living in the City itself will subject your family to a small additional wage tax). Due to the hills, bridges and tunnels, Pittsburgh is pretty much divided into the South Hills, North Hills, Eastern suburbs and West. CMU is in the City on the Eastern side. Nothing is really very far, but it might be desirable to avoid tunnels to get to the campus -- so your best options may be the North Hills communities and the Eastern suburbs. Or, if you prefer city living, you might find something in Oakland itself or in neighboring Shadyside or Squirrel Hill. Check with your grad school dept. and get some recommendations from people who are familiar with various commutes.

Answer 3

You've posted this in the wrong city. That's probably why no one answered! :)