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Pittsburgh, PA areas to live in.

OldGrunt

OldGrunt

Professional
My son just found out he was picked for a position he applied for in Pittsburgh, PA. He plans on taking the position, pending all background checks and transfer paperwork being completed. Can anyone who has lived there tell us what areas are good places of the city to live in, and what parts of the city to avoid? He will be looking for an apartment to start out with. Then if he likes the job and the area, eventually get a house. He is single with no children, so good schools are not a factor in the search. Just a nice safe area to start out in. Thanks.
 
I can only say Ive heard that Pittsburg is like or worse than every BLUE city. IF it were me or my son, Id suggest trying to find a place outside the city. Im sure there are some bedroom communities that will make the commute longer but the schools and neighborhoods will be better.

Congrats to your son




Oh and hope that was simple enuf'
 
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Not knowing where in Pittsburgh ...

In Pittsburgh, areas generally recommended for visitors and newcomers to avoid at night include Homewood, Northview Heights, and the Hill District. Additionally, downtown hot spots like the South Side Flats require extra situational awareness on weekend nights due to nightlife-related crowds and occasional rowdiness.

For a safer and more enjoyable experience, consider these localized, highly recommended areas to stay and explore:

Top Neighborhoods to Stay and Visit

  • Shadyside: A highly walkable, upscale neighborhood known for leafy streets, boutiques, and excellent dining.
  • Downtown (Central Business District): Close to major theaters, points of interest, and public transit (like the T subway). Expensive parking downtown.
  • Lawrenceville: Known as a trendy hub for young professionals, featuring restored historic architecture, craft breweries, and local art galleries.
  • Mexican War Streets (North Side): A beautiful, historic section of the North Side filled with Victorian homes and close to the Andy Warhol Museum.
Quick Safety & Transit Tips

  • Use the T (Subway): Free within the downtown corridor, making it an easy and secure way to get around without needing a car.
  • Stay Aware: While Pittsburgh is generally considered safe compared to other large US cities, always exercise standard urban caution, especially after dark.
If he wants to commute a bit the Allegheny Valley Expressway accesses Natrona Heights/Harrison Township in NE Allegheny County as well as the more rural SE Butler County - Buffalo Township, and Armstrong County - S. Buffalo Township.
 
Talyn said:
Not knowing where in Pittsburgh ...

In Pittsburgh, areas generally recommended for visitors and newcomers to avoid at night include Homewood, Northview Heights, and the Hill District. Additionally, downtown hot spots like the South Side Flats require extra situational awareness on weekend nights due to nightlife-related crowds and occasional rowdiness.

For a safer and more enjoyable experience, consider these localized, highly recommended areas to stay and explore:

Top Neighborhoods to Stay and Visit

  • Shadyside: A highly walkable, upscale neighborhood known for leafy streets, boutiques, and excellent dining.
  • Downtown (Central Business District): Close to major theaters, points of interest, and public transit (like the T subway). Expensive parking downtown.
  • Lawrenceville: Known as a trendy hub for young professionals, featuring restored historic architecture, craft breweries, and local art galleries.
  • Mexican War Streets (North Side): A beautiful, historic section of the North Side filled with Victorian homes and close to the Andy Warhol Museum.
Quick Safety & Transit Tips

  • Use the T (Subway): Free within the downtown corridor, making it an easy and secure way to get around without needing a car.
  • Stay Aware: While Pittsburgh is generally considered safe compared to other large US cities, always exercise standard urban caution, especially after dark.
If he wants to commute a bit the Allegheny Valley Expressway accesses Natrona Heights/Harrison Township in NE Allegheny County as well as the more rural SE Butler County - Buffalo Township, and Armstrong County - S. Buffalo Township.
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Thank you. I will pass this along to my son. He won't know what part of Pittsburgh he will be working in until he gets his background check and transfer paperwork back. He won't have a choice about what part of the city he works in, but he can do the commute from a decent part of the city. Thanks again for the very useful Information!
 
OldGrunt said:
Thank you. I will pass this along to my son. He won't know what part of Pittsburgh he will be working in until he gets his background check and transfer paperwork back. He won't have a choice about what part of the city he works in, but he can do the commute from a decent part of the city. Thanks again for the very useful Information!
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There's a Costco in Cranberry Township at the jct of the PA Turnpike (I-76) & I-79. It's the only one in the area.

From Cranberry Township you can easily go south to the airport, or off onto I-279 to go into the downtown area easily, and I-79 accesses various parts of the west & SW sides ("berbs") of the city.

Cranberry Township is also close to the Keystone Shooting Center to the east, just north of Mars (see below)

I-76 will take you north to Moraine State Park with it's large lake, and further north to I-80.

BTW ---

The Jack Reacher shooting range scenes (where Reacher rolls out into position for Cash to test his skills) were famously filmed at a real outdoor facility located just west of Pittsburgh at the McDonald Sportsmen's Association in McDonald, Pennsylvania.

Whether you are looking for a high-end indoor facility, a tactical training center, or an outdoor range with long-distance capabilities, the Pittsburgh area has multiple options.

Top Local Shooting Ranges in the Pittsburgh Area

1. Keystone Shooting Center
  • Type: Indoor
  • Location: 420 Rugh St, Mars, PA 16046 (North of the city)
  • Details: One of the premier, modern indoor ranges in Western Pennsylvania. Features a state-of-the-art 25-yard range, firearm rentals, and a large retail store. Open to the public with day passes and memberships available.
2. Anthony Arms & Shooting Center
  • Type: Indoor
  • Location: 2980 Lebanon Church Rd, West Mifflin, PA 15122 (South of the city)
  • Details: A well-established indoor facility offering pistol and rifle lanes. They have a great selection of rental firearms and a gunsmith on-site.
3. McDonald Sportsmen's Association
  • Type: Outdoor
  • Location: 370 O'Hare Hospital Rd, McDonald, PA 15057
  • Details: This is the filming site used for the iconic gun store and shooting range in Jack Reacher. Features a well-known 600-yard outdoor range. Requires a membership.
4. Clairton Sportsmen’s Club
  • Type: Outdoor
  • Location: 416 Coal Valley Rd, Clairton, PA 15025 (South of the city)
  • Details: One of the largest clubs in the area (180 acres) with rifle ranges up to 300 yards, action pistol bays, and shotgun/archery areas. Requires a membership, though they hold regular public events.
5. State Game Lands Ranges
  • Type: Outdoor
  • Location: Various locations across Western PA (e.g., SGL 203 in Allegheny County)
  • Details: Managed by the state, these ranges are a highly affordable outdoor option. You must purchase a PA Hunting License or a range-use
The unmarked hwy going up to the NE point of the pic is the Allegheny Valley Express way that goes the whole way to Kittanning.

The grey area SW of Coraopolis is the airport.
1780002945257.png
 
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Talyn said:
There's a Costco in Cranberry Township at the jct of the PA Turnpike (I-76) & I-79. It's the only one in the area.

From Cranberry Township you can easily go south to the airport, or off onto I-279 to go into the downtown area easily, and I-79 accesses various parts of the west & SW sides ("berbs") of the city.

Cranberry Township is also close to the Keystone Shooting Center to the east, just north of Mars (see below)

I-76 will take you north to Moraine State Park with it's large lake, and further north to I-80.

BTW ---

The Jack Reacher shooting range scenes (where Reacher rolls out into position for Cash to test his skills) were famously filmed at a real outdoor facility located just west of Pittsburgh at the McDonald Sportsmen's Association in McDonald, Pennsylvania.

Whether you are looking for a high-end indoor facility, a tactical training center, or an outdoor range with long-distance capabilities, the Pittsburgh area has multiple options.

Top Local Shooting Ranges in the Pittsburgh Area

1. Keystone Shooting Center
  • Type: Indoor
  • Location: 420 Rugh St, Mars, PA 16046 (North of the city)
  • Details: One of the premier, modern indoor ranges in Western Pennsylvania. Features a state-of-the-art 25-yard range, firearm rentals, and a large retail store. Open to the public with day passes and memberships available.
2. Anthony Arms & Shooting Center
  • Type: Indoor
  • Location: 2980 Lebanon Church Rd, West Mifflin, PA 15122 (South of the city)
  • Details: A well-established indoor facility offering pistol and rifle lanes. They have a great selection of rental firearms and a gunsmith on-site.
3. McDonald Sportsmen's Association
  • Type: Outdoor
  • Location: 370 O'Hare Hospital Rd, McDonald, PA 15057
  • Details: This is the filming site used for the iconic gun store and shooting range in Jack Reacher. Features a well-known 600-yard outdoor range. Requires a membership.
4. Clairton Sportsmen’s Club
  • Type: Outdoor
  • Location: 416 Coal Valley Rd, Clairton, PA 15025 (South of the city)
  • Details: One of the largest clubs in the area (180 acres) with rifle ranges up to 300 yards, action pistol bays, and shotgun/archery areas. Requires a membership, though they hold regular public events.
5. State Game Lands Ranges
  • Type: Outdoor
  • Location: Various locations across Western PA (e.g., SGL 203 in Allegheny County)
  • Details: Managed by the state, these ranges are a highly affordable outdoor option. You must purchase a PA Hunting License or a range-use
The unmarked hwy going up to the NE point of the pic is the Allegheny Valley Express way that goes the whole way to Kittanning.

The grey area SW of Coraopolis is the airport.
View attachment 111431
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Thanks again for the info! We actually have some very good friends that moved to Grove City, PA, a little further north of Cranberry Township. They have also offered to help my son by checking out whatever apartment complexes he finds that he might like, since he's only able to look at places on the internet from TX. My son was given a choice of two official start dates. June 29th or July 13th. He hasn't decided on which date yet. And he still doesn't know what location he will be assigned yet in Pittsburgh.
 
(2) different starting dates...can't be too official. What job opportunity these days gives a perspective hire the option to decide when he/she choses to start.:unsure:
 
@Talyn, My son is looking at a place he found in an area called Perry North. It is off highway 19, and is close to Interstate 29. The place he is looking at is south of the Allegheny Observatory. If he doesn't like it, he can move later on, once he gets a feel for Pittsburgh. I don't know the area, but it seems alright to me.
 
FWIW - The really BIG money in today's workforce is in the trades, pipefitters, boilermakers, electricians to name just a few.

All college is these days is someone else is getting rich and it ain't you. The flip side to that is there are those well to do families that insist their child goes to college...only to party the tuition money away and end up not having a clue what they want to major in and ultimately dropping out.
 
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Phaser said:
FWIW - The really BIG money in today's workforce is in the trades, pipefitters, boilermakers, electricians to name just a few.

All college is these days is someone else is getting rich and it ain't you. The flip side to that is there are those well to do families that insist their child goes to college...only to party the tuition money away and end up not having a clue what they want to major in and ultimately dropping out.
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I agree. I was a tradesman and made very good money at it. Retired now at 60 years old. My plan was to work until 62, but I was getting to crippled up to continue. So I am two years short of the old goal, but that is just fine by me. Loving retirement. My son has two Bachelor's degrees and one Master's degree. He is very intelligent and is making use of them. He will do well in life. I guess I'm just overprotective of him. He lived in Europe for 4 years all on his own, so I guess he can do Pittsburgh just fine. Another option he had was Minneapolis, MN, but thankfully he turned that one down. And he knows of my extreme hatred of the MN Twin Cities area. Pittsburgh I will go visit. MN is a state I never will go to again, so I am relieved he did not pick that job.
 
Good to known. I too threw in the towel @ age 61 I was a journeyman pipefitter for the last 10 yrs. of my working years. My body was telling me you're not that 20 yr. old young buck anymore. It was a good ride while it lasted. I totally concur with your thoughts of Minn. Your son will do just fine...it's that adjustment period with a new atmosphere. I had to do just that every 2-3 yrs. during my 21 yrs. in the military. To this day I have never been abroad...good for him.
I'm a central PA kid raised in State College. Left in 1973 entering basic after HS been back a few times but all of my family now is displaced. I miss the hoagies!
Good Luck to your son. A federal job done right I think still has its perks.
 
OldGrunt said:
@Talyn, My son is looking at a place he found in an area called Perry North. It is off highway 19, and is close to Interstate 29. The place he is looking at is south of the Allegheny Observatory. If he doesn't like it, he can move later on, once he gets a feel for Pittsburgh. I don't know the area, but it seems alright to me.
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It's a busy area, but at least he can get on I-279 easily.

Hope things work out for him.
 
Hi,

OldGrunt said:
My son just found out he was picked for a position he applied for in Pittsburgh, PA. He plans on taking the position, pending all background checks and transfer paperwork being completed. Can anyone who has lived there tell us what areas are good places of the city to live in, and what parts of the city to avoid? He will be looking for an apartment to start out with. Then if he likes the job and the area, eventually get a house. He is single with no children, so good schools are not a factor in the search. Just a nice safe area to start out in. Thanks.
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Got some info from my friend in Philly. PM sent. Praying success for your son.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Good luck to your son. I hope he finds somethign he likes.

I personally despise the Pittsburgh area.

It's about 2 hours down the road from me and I try to avoid it as much as possible.

Traffic is a NIGHTMARE. Most aggressive drivers I have ever seen and I do a lot of driving.

The downtown area is the craziest thing I have ever seen, and if you have to commute, you're dealing with the Daytona 500 that comes to a crashing halt into a traffic jam.

There are some very cool things to do, some nice neighborhoods, nice architecture, Pirates stadium is pretty nice.

But, still, I wish we could give Pittsburgh to either Ohio or West Virginia. It's a pox on western PA.

Have I mentioned how anxious Steeler's fans are?
 
PAGunGuy said:
Good luck to your son. I hope he finds somethign he likes.

I personally despise the Pittsburgh area.

It's about 2 hours down the road from me and I try to avoid it as much as possible.

Traffic is a NIGHTMARE. Most aggressive drivers I have ever seen and I do a lot of driving.

The downtown area is the craziest thing I have ever seen, and if you have to commute, you're dealing with the Daytona 500 that comes to a crashing halt into a traffic jam.

There are some very cool things to do, some nice neighborhoods, nice architecture, Pirates stadium is pretty nice.

But, still, I wish we could give Pittsburgh to either Ohio or West Virginia. It's a pox on western PA.

Have I mentioned how anxious Steeler's fans are?
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Looks like you have the same feelings about Pittsburgh as I have about Minneapolis. lol What's done is done. It's where he wants to go. I was the same as he is when I was young. I couldn't wait to get away from the upper Midwest. He feels the same way about Texas. Oh well. I will visit him when I can.
 
OldGrunt said:
Looks like you have the same feelings about Pittsburgh as I have about Minneapolis. lol What's done is done. It's where he wants to go. I was the same as he is when I was young. I couldn't wait to get away from the upper Midwest. He feels the same way about Texas. Oh well. I will visit him when I can.
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I honestly, sincerely hope he likes it.
I do have some good associations with the city. My high school girlfriend moved there after graduation and my best friend a year later (not together, lol, my girl was back by then)
So I visited quite often.
It's just a nightmare to drive anywhere and I love to drive
I'm actually dong a 300+ mile drive across the state this evening and I will be taking as many backroads and as few highways as possible.
 
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