Any Pittsburghers here?

[Amy]

I guess I'm the only DIS-er from the eastern suburbs! I live in Monroeville, grew up in West Mifflin. East of the city are some nice neighborhoods: Monroeville is great (a good mixture of old and new homes), Penn Hills and Churchill are both older. Our school district, Gateway, is really good. Don't know much about Penn Hill; Churchill is part of the Woodland Hills School District which is kind of hit-or-miss.

The BIG drawback of living east of the city is the commute - unless you've grown up around here and know all the back roads, you're stuck using the Parkway East to get into the city. For some reason, EVERYBODY slows down when they get to the Squirrel Hill tunnel, no matter what, and that causes some bad traffic backups. I take the bus to work and it takes a good 30 minutes, so I get a nap while somebody else does the driving!

Oh, Squirrel Hill is a neat neighborhood - lots of old houses, big trees. (Note - I've only driven through, have no idea what it's like to actually live there.) Small yards, and some have only on-street parking, no garages. Frequent bus service from Squirrel Hill into town.

 

[The LK 4]

from Cranberry Twp! It's been interesting reading this thread, so I wanted to subscribe.

 

[JoBird]

Okay, another question!

My Mom, bless her heart, has the "chicken Little" syndrome, and always thinks the worst is going to happen to her. She has claustrophobia, therefore, has never ridden in a plane, train, boat, etc. She drives everywhere, so IF we move there, she will drive to visit us from SC.

Now, the question is two part:
1. If we moved to Mt. L., she would be driving North on 79. I looked at a map and it looks like 19 is closer to USC and Mt. L, or am I just really confused?

2. Also, are there any ways into downtown without going through a tunnel? She hates them too!

Okay, I am way ahead of myself, but I was just curious. Thanks!

 

[buckylarue]

Thanks for this info!

BTW...where is buckylarue??????? I have taken over, I fear! Buckylarue, please come back!

I'm still here, just reading and collecting info from your questions and the answers all these DISers are giving (thanks again gang ). Been checking on more neighborhoods/boroughs/townships in the area, and seeing what is happening when I'll be there; trying to fit as much in as possible. Want to get a good feel for the city, without running myself ragged! Meanwhile, keep those tips coming!

 

[HayGan]

Besides being very expensive, all these places (with the exception of Moon Twp) are in the North Hills. Moon is in the South Hills, and is close to the main airport, but far from downtown, Public transportation to the city is more expensive and slow.

Ummm, sorry but Moon is not South Hills. That would definitely be in the West.

 

[HayGan]

BTW, housing must be doing pretty well at least for sellers. My brother put his house up for sale on a Monday and it was sold on Wed.

Actually the market isn't doing well at all. Inventory is very aged (been listed for quite awhile) and there is plenty of it! Your brother is the exception rather than the rule!

 

[HayGan]

Okay, another question!

My Mom, bless her heart, has the "chicken Little" syndrome, and always thinks the worst is going to happen to her. She has claustrophobia, therefore, has never ridden in a plane, train, boat, etc. She drives everywhere, so IF we move there, she will drive to visit us from SC.

Now, the question is two part:
1. If we moved to Mt. L., she would be driving North on 79. I looked at a map and it looks like 19 is closer to USC and Mt. L, or am I just really confused?

2. Also, are there any ways into downtown without going through a tunnel? She hates them too!

Okay, I am way ahead of myself, but I was just curious. Thanks!

Rt 19 is a local route that does run through USC and Mt. Lebo. Both communities are easily accessible from I-79.

Yes you can get into the city without going through a tunnel. There are no tunnels from the North Hills into the city and only 3 from the South Hills. She could take Rt. 19 to Rt. 51 to the West End Circle to avoid the tunnels.

Hope that helps

 

[Goofys]

Okay, another question!

My Mom, bless her heart, has the "chicken Little" syndrome, and always thinks the worst is going to happen to her. She has claustrophobia, therefore, has never ridden in a plane, train, boat, etc. She drives everywhere, so IF we move there, she will drive to visit us from SC.

Now, the question is two part:
1. If we moved to Mt. L., she would be driving North on 79. I looked at a map and it looks like 19 is closer to USC and Mt. L, or am I just really confused?

2. Also, are there any ways into downtown without going through a tunnel? She hates them too!

Okay, I am way ahead of myself, but I was just curious. Thanks!

Hi all, another diser from the 'Burgh here. I actually live in Dormont. I can't believe ther are 2 of us from Dormont. Anyway to answer your questions:

1. 19 runs through parts of Lebo ( Mt Lebanon) and USC. It just depends on where you are in those towns.

2. You can take the west end circle and bridge to get into downtown w/o a tunnel from the south hills.

 

[HayGan]

I'm still here, just reading and collecting info from your questions and the answers all these DISers are giving (thanks again gang ). Been checking on more neighborhoods/boroughs/townships in the area, and seeing what is happening when I'll be there; trying to fit as much in as possible. Want to get a good feel for the city, without running myself ragged! Meanwhile, keep those tips coming!

Bucky - a must-do for you while you are here is to go to Mt. Washington on an evening and get a good look at the city all lit up! It truly is a spectacular sight!!!

Anyone interested in Pittsburgh, please feel free to pm me with any questions. I might even be up for meeting a few other DISers for lunch (if you are interested )

 

[amy4bruce]

Ummm, sorry but Moon is not South Hills. That would definitely be in the West.

You're right, of course. My problem is that I think of everything that I don't go through a tunnel for (see your other response) as the South. Deep down, I'm totally convinced that the Parkway West goes south. I think that's from getting off 279 unto 79 so often that I think of it as one road.

I grew up in New York City, so driving is very much not second nature to me. I do know the T very well, though.

 

[amy4bruce]

For some reason, EVERYBODY slows down when they get to the Squirrel Hill tunnel, no matter what, and that causes some bad traffic backups.

That's because there's a monster in the Squirrel Hill tunnel that eats cars. That's why it's "backed up to Churchill."

Could be worse. Could be Route 28.

 

[Swimnoid]

Actually the market isn't doing well at all. Inventory is very aged (been listed for quite awhile) and there is plenty of it! Your brother is the exception rather than the rule!

Maybe its just his neighborhood. Three other houses went as fast as his did but its a modest neighborhood in Lebo rather than a real expensive one. So it would be attractive to people with kids who want the school district.

 

[Amy]

That's because there's a monster in the Squirrel Hill tunnel that eats cars. That's why it's "backed up to Churchill."

Could be worse. Could be Route 28.

Oh, so THAT's the reason! I always wondered......

 

[HayGan]

That's because there's a monster in the Squirrel Hill tunnel that eats cars. That's why it's "backed up to Churchill."

Could be worse. Could be Route 28.

 

[safetymom]

Yes 19 is closer to USC than 79 but 79 isn't that far away. There are ways in Pittsburgh without tunnels but they aren't the best ways to get there. You just learn when rush hours are and avoid those times.

I used to have to take route 28 quite often. I just knew to schedule things before or after rush hour. I live the same distance to the airport here in FL as I did in Hampton but it takes much less time here.

 

[buckylarue]

That's because there's a monster in the Squirrel Hill tunnel that eats cars. That's why it's "backed up to Churchill."

Now THIS is the kind of good insider info you just don't get in the guidebooks!

 

[sjh801]

Ummm, sorry but Moon is not South Hills. That would definitely be in the West.

I was going to post that, but you beat me to it!

 

[sjh801]

Here's a question for you:

Are there any newer neighborhoods in this area, or are they mostly older homes? This will be our fourth house in 8 years; we travel with my DH's company. We have always had brand new homes, but this time I'm interested in looking at both types. I'm kind of tired of the "new" neighborhood look, but I don't want to buy an older house in need of restoration, either. Are there any gated communities around?

My children will be in grades 6th, 2nd and preschool (4 year). Mainly, we are interested in the best school system possible.

Thanks... and buckylarue, I hope I'm not stealing your thread! Forgive me if I am.

Hi Jobird!
Check out these two areas. Close to the airport and good school systems!

West Allegheny School District

Moon Area School District

 

[JoBird]

Hi Jobird!
Check out these two areas. Close to the airport and good school systems!

West Allegheny School District

Moon Area School District

Hi everyone!

Thanks, sjh801 for the above links. I looked at them and they look like good schools.

We still haven't heard anything as far as the job, but we are continuing to look on-line at houses.

We found one in Peter's township that we really like, as well as one (new) in Plum Boro. Can anyone tell me the good, the bad and the ugly about these two places? I need to know it all!

Thanks for all of your input so far!

Jodi

 

[keishashadow]

Hi everyone!

Thanks, sjh801 for the above links. I looked at them and they look like good schools.

We still haven't heard anything as far as the job, but we are continuing to look on-line at houses.

We found one in Peter's township that we really like, as well as one (new) in Plum Boro. Can anyone tell me the good, the bad and the ugly about these two places? I need to know it all!

Thanks for all of your input so far!

Jodi

Plum is across the river from me, nice community & mix of rural, established housing developments & new construction. Close to Monroeville amentities & parkway or can commute via Hulton Rd/River Rd or to 28 into Pittsburgh. School district is well regarded. The local political scene has a lot of in-fighting but, serves as a source of amusement in the local paper. Good luck.