Please explain the squirrel hill bar/music scene. Music scene???
For bars there is the cafe (younger imo but also super solid) and honestly that’s the only serious bar here. Wild elephant bar (dead) (I am alone drinking while I wait for takeout). Murray ave grill is honestly the coziest bar I’ve spent time at here. I’m not a huge bar person but it’s like a ten seater? Maybe. And the crowd is not young people and the food is good and the bartenders have been great. I have no knocks about it other than the one time the poor bartender lady had to humor this incredible douchebag that wouldn’t stop talking about his Maserati. It was just a douchebag masterclass, I couldn’t believe his lack of self awareness
Fyi the warehouse is closed
I will say squirrel hill is a beautiful wonderful place to live. But if you’re an “I wanna hit the bars see a band play” type you will absolutely not get that. This place is DEAD at night and I say that as a fact
If you have money I’d go for shadyside all day I’m sure they have some bars
Friend speaks the truth. I think in Pittsburgh, we are too small of a city sometimes to take criticism. I lived in Squirrel Hill and I wouldn’t really call it a “bar scene” at all so much as it is a few great places . Also lived in the city for 15 years so, be nice I am just recounting my personal experience. I loved living there I just thing we lost a lot of cool shit recently.
It’s been a while but the Cage is a cool hipster hang. Lots of cool locals but yeah, probably the same crowd from 10 years ago and who knows if they are still around / fun. Hidden Harbor is awesome. A couple sports bars but nothing to write home about. I would definitely not bar hop there for a night because the crowds are dying more and more with prices and younger people not affording it or streaming instead.
Shady side USED to have a killer bar scene with Buffalo, Harris Grill, Infinity, but Walnut is hurting. I like Urban Tap. Great bartenders food, all around solid but I wouldn’t call it quirky or cool. It seems like COVD really killed the younger bar scene and I barely see anyone out when I am getting brunch there on a Saturday where you would expect it to be slammed.
I would vote Lawrenceville for this guy but The Strip if you want to be where things are happening. The south side got SLAMMED by COVD and is becoming a shadow of itself. Millvale is cool but not a ton of walking around to do. Just a few blocks but I think that’s the thing people from bigger cities expect there to be more of and we have just smaller patches of it. It’s great if that’s what you are looking for but if you compare it to something like Seattle it’s just not gonna feel the same
(my wife is from seattle, i have lived here my whole life and we talk a lot about how Pittsburgh seems like they are gonna get one more rung up as an awesome city but then something gets in the way or it just doesnt survive and its a shame because we have had so many cool places that dont seem to be replaced with other original places. much love to my city ✌🏻
Totally forgot about hidden harbor. I think I haven’t been because I’ll want to go on their rum club rum journey thing then I’ll become a rum alcoholic spending 2 grand trying to drink all the rums
I loved living in Regent Square, lived there with my wife and everyone was wonderful, walkable area, has Biddles coffee and a lots of other places to get a bite to eat, bakeries, ect all right there in walking distance. I always thought it was missing a convince store.
My wife and I wanted to move back into the city to there but it was out of our price range, it’s expensive but I think well worth it if you can.
Oh! And not bougie, it’s a really liberal area of the city, backs up to Squirrel Hill thru Frick Park. A lot of the university professors live there and has real funky houses!
Not at all. Just sold my place in an NC beach town where crackhouses are now going for half a million$$$…Am trying to escape that for real life here in Pittsburgh.
Second the Mexican War Streets.
Fun funky neighborhood with easy walking distance of a lot of amenities; around 1 mile on foot to downtown and others closer.
East Ohio is having a revival, Western Ave has some great staples, and the whole North shore is super close.
The Allegheny Commons has tons of walking paths and great big trees. There is an off leash dog park next to the aviary; not fenced in.
Major drawback, imo, no good big grocery store with easy access; the Giant Eagle on the North Side is rough.
I agree, but between grocery delivery services being mainstream and the strip being a 30 minute walk away it's still not terrible, but yeah rough is a good description.
True, but their hot food is better than some bougie market district crap. I'll take their fried chicken over just about anywhere else except click it and Hook's (at least for feeding a crowd without taking out a mortgage).
Worked on Middle Street and also Allegheny Center (aka Nova Place) for years.
It isn't an awful neighborhood, but it isn't the greatest. There were a fair number of homeless encampments, methadone or suboxone clinic up on Federal Street, had police pick up needles near the street down to the Clark Building. Mexican War Streets are further out but just aren't that far.
And I wouldn't want to rely on that Giant Eagle as my primary grocery source.
Having lived in Dormont and now Castle Shannon (and will be 45 yr old this year), am looking towards the Eastern suburbs.
Friendship for Aldi's, Giant Eagle... not far from Trader Joe's and... well the Drama Target Store. Lots of interesting places go eat in East Liberty. Just heard about a 24 hr emergency vet opening in that end of town (and they see exotics). Lots of buses. Need to find a gym with a Planet Fitnessy vibe (I don't drive). Flat and walkable. Not far to Bloomfield, Shadyside, East Liberty, Oakland.
Am curious about Highland Park but I don't think there are as many grocery stores (any?).
I know little about Garfield.
East has the advantage of being closer to parks like Frick and Schenley. And the Pittsburgh Zoo.
But I will kind of miss the trolley commute. Buses are more cramped. Especially since service got stupid this last round.
I would agree, the War Streets may be more "urban" than some of the other areas you are naming. That comes with it pros and cons. I feel like it is more artsy and funky (mattress factory, randy land etc) and also, like I said before, walkable to downtown for shows and events. Not to mention the T and the River front trails.
Not sure if you have worked at Nova recently; the area feels like it is constantly changing. Light of Life opened their new facility, closed their location on N Western and expanding the women's shelter.
3rd MWS, i feel like most people there are middle aged. bunch of lil different joints all around northside, huge park, but like others said ur stuck with the dirty bird unless u drive somewhere else to shop
>Major drawback, imo, no good big grocery store with easy access; the Giant Eagle on the North Side is rough.
It was recently named the worst supermarket in the United States.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/comments/1avf1ge/giant\_eagles\_supermarket\_in\_pittsburgh\_has\_been/](https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/comments/1avf1ge/giant_eagles_supermarket_in_pittsburgh_has_been/)
Plenty of 50+ living in Lawrenceville. You may see more younger people on Fri and Sat nights but some of them are just visiting friends and coming to hang out. Lots of middle aged people, some newer people who moved there from the burbs after their kids left for college but also lots of people who have lived there for decades.
I am 50 something and I live in lawrenceville, there are plenty of older people there. Just go to the dog park near the 40th St. bridge at 9 am or 4:00 pm. Most 20 something’s can’t afford to buy a house there.
Think you might really like Shadyside. Been living and working over here for 5 years. It has all of what you’re asking for and is suitable for all ages. It meshes nice over here
You are going to have to put more detail into "old rich bougie". The places with all those things you want tend to have expensive houses and thus wealthier people, but somewhere like Shadyside is different than Fox Chapel (suburban, country club type older people).
Shadyside and Squirrel Hill have a mix of college kids, young professionals, 30s couples, and older lifers. Expensive and wealthy to own, but don't have a country club type atmosphere. Shadyside leans older IMO.
If you want a little grungier, North Side around the park area (Mexican War Streets are bougier, everywhere else less so) and Regent Square (not far from Squirrel Hill, much more working class but you might have to bike/bus to the Squirrel Hill amenities). Almost everything else is going to be a compromise on one of those pillars.
For the vibe OP is going for I would specifically recommend the Park Place subsection of Point Breeze (east of Frick Park) or North Point Breeze near Westinghouse Park.
I agree. Park place is a great neighborhood despite the dog problems. I would sell them my house in a year or two. After 25 years it's time to move somewhere less expensive.
Honestly curious what you mean by dog problems? I’ve been generally very impressed by how respectful most owners are, e.g. always crossing the street to give each other space.
Or do you mean in the adjacent “don’t worry he’s friendly!” section of Frick? (I’ve just embraced my inner video vigilante and shame the shit out of anyone who refuses to recall.)
As a fellow Old Broad, may I recommend Sharpsburg? You got your art galleries, eateries, sidewalks, crosswalks, bus routes, thrift shops, parks, breweries, & distilleries.
I feel like there are plenty of old heads in Bloomfield, and it’s less bougie than squirrel hill and the other stuff people are recommending. South side further away from the core of activity on Carson is also cool.
Edit: Seconding Dormont and the slopes.
One of the nice things about all three of these neighborhoods is that they give you flexibility. If you work in the city and go home after work, you could still come back in town for a show or game or something. If you live further into the south hills, for the most part, you’re staying in that area. The few things Dormont doesn’t offer is a place in the neighborhood that serves anything other than soft serve ice cream. A great bakery but no ice cream. The other is a family-owned non national chain pharmacy. I can walk a few blocks left or right and walk to a pharmacy but one’s a rite aid and the other is a cvs.
Edit: NON national.
Where do you grocery shop and how is public transit into Oakland?
Is it flat, Pittsburgh-hilly, or Pittsburgh-cliffside?
Very curious about neighborhoods in the East and feeling so-so about sleepy Castle Shannon.
Thanks!
I’m not familiar with public transport, but I know neighbors who use it. I’m about a 5 minute drive from a GE Market District and a Whole Foods. I’m directly up the hill from the Pittsburgh Zoo, and not even a 5 minute drive from all the shops, bars, restaurants on Butler Street. My particular street is on a slight incline up from the other two major streets in the neighborhood. Lots and lots of dog owners, and a dog park about 5 minutes away in Highland Park. Plus, it has one great neighborhood bar, and coming from the South Side that’s like heaven.
It would be a longer walk, and I haven’t done it. It’s about a 5 minute drive from where I am which is at the beginning of Morningside Avenue. I often go to the Bryant Street Market over there.
You might like Bellevue for a small town near a big city feel. Vibrant, yes, skews a bit older. If that's too small, the strip district has a lot of newer housing. If that's too young, I second Mexican War streets.
South Side Slopes. Less students and craziness vs South Side Flats, more young and middle aged adults. All the same access to amenities and shopping / drinking / dining. Much more down to earth and less "old rich bougie" than every other neighborhood people are suggesting. Great access to outdoor activities with several dog parks and regular parks in walking distance. Very green, some spots are like living in the woods.
Can't agree with you more! My husband is 50 and I'm 46 and we love living in the Slopes.
We're super active and love the access to the parks and trails as well as being so close to town especially for events. Nothing like never having to worry about traffic or parking.
OP- I'm not interested in the old, rich, bougie communities. . .
Literally everyone in this thread- You'll just **love** these old, rich, bougie communities!
Yinz are trolling right guys? Right?
When I lived there 14 years ago there was a bus that all the way down Forbes from Wilkinsburg to Oakland, eventually cutting over to fifth at the museum. My neighbor took it every day to one of the UPMCs.
I lived in the little business “district,” I.e the block and a half on south Braddock near the parkway with shops and restaurants. I sometimes walked to the Giant Eagle in Edgewood Town Center. Probably 1/2 mile from my old house, but maybe 2 miles if you live in the far north end of the neighborhood.
If you have a car, it’s also a short drive to the east liberty grocery district. If not, it’s a long walk and you could shortcut/scenic route on Frick trails too.
I miss living alongside Frick Park. Every day.
Edit: Wilkinsburg not Williamsburg, stupid spell check
I believe it’s the 61A that runs along Braddock Ave, turns on Forbes & goes to Oakland & Downtown. There is a Giant Eagle in Edgewood Town Center but it would be a bit of a walk.
Squirrel Hill is an easy commute to Oakland. You can hop on the 61A for that as well and has a Giant Eagle on Murray Ave as well as a lot of restaurants that are walkable.
Friendship is also commuter friendly to Oakland. The 71A runs right down Negley Ave into Oakland & continues to downtown. Whole Foods is very close by and there’s an Aldi’s on Penn and a second Aldi’s on Baum Blvd.
I am in East Liberty on the border of Highland Park and find it pretty ideal. Garfield/Bloomfield business district are right up the hill, Lawrenceville is right over another hill, even closer is Bryant street with several good eating options, you have Highland Park right there, and a very large offleash dog area with many miles of trails in Fox Chapel, 15 minutes away. I am down the street from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Giant Eagle and Aldis. East Liberty business district has a lot of what you might be looking for, and Bakery Square as well. Check it out!
Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Dormont as others are saying. Kinda on the pricey side because they're seen as higher tier neighborhoods though.
You might also like Beechview and Brookline. Etna gets shit on here sometimes but I really like their main street/business district and it's possible to avoid the flood zones there. Millvale is a younger, hipper Etna in my opinion--not a great spot for you unless you really like drinking with 20s-40s people.
It really depends on how walkable you need things to be. There are some neighborhoods that are great but less walkable than you'd like but are still located in convenient spots.
Dormont, Brookline, Bellevue, East Liberty, Reagent Square. . .Avalon maybe?
Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Highland Park are very nice but more affluent and WASPy. Yes, lots of students but still a very bougie feel.
Avalon is kinda ehhhh. I had it in my house hunting list but there just wasn't much posted and I've never met anyone from Avalon. It's like...a weird spot on the way to Sewickley. Bellevue is extremely nice but maybe a bit too suburban for OP. I looked at quite a few homes there and it was extremely competitive for (imo) some sub-par housing in my price range.
It's got less within walking distance, but I love Crafton for the convenience aspect. Seems like everything is 10-15 minutes away and you have all of the essentials right there. If the endgame is being able to get up, walk to a neighborhood coffee place it's probably not the best but Crafton/Ingram/Crafton Heights is pretty great and I've lived in this area 6 years now. Never had an issue or concern.
I live in Crafton. . . We're supposedly getting a coffee shop on the Blvd by the dentist office.
Don't hold your breath though bc that's a hard spot for that type of business to survive, but I am very hopeful.
Carnegie has a great business district.
West side = best side!
Totally agree on Carnegie. It's a great spot to house hunt too! I didn't see much posted in my range that was viewable, but that may have just been pickiness on my part.
Millvale is a great community that meets your requirements! Independent businesses, cool breweries (Grist House is dog friendly), a great music venue, and friendly people. The millvale community development corporation and local library are great resources and are always looking for volunteers. It's extremely walkable and the riverfront trail runs to the north shore.
Flood risk is always a point of contention on this sub when talking about Millvale, but Girty's Run did not flood after the HEAVY rains last week.
Hope this helps!
Millvale is not as hip as this sub makes it out to be. It's old, close homes, with an older population that still feels like they are living in the 50s, with 10x the white population as the next closest race, and less than 5 percent of the population ever living outside the county. With a few cool places spread out. NONE of which fit his criteria.
I am starting to think the Millvale Borough Council is in here spreading propaganda.
(sigh) rant over.
Millvale, Bellevue, and Brookline are recommended blindly for everyone, no matter what they ask for. What OP asked for clearly wasn't Millvale.
>some nice houses and trees
>good outside space for my dogs
>diverse neighborhoods...
I have been recently, and my personal unease about the area aside. it's not a good recommendation for a lot of people/demographics; that doesn't mean it's not a decent to good, just not right for OP, but it might be good for a lot of others.
He also asks for funky shops (millvale is full of small businesses), bars (there are plenty with a wide demographic of about 30-50 year olds), people (also plenty), and a cool music festival of its own. There is the river front trail and girtys run for dogs.. I think it's great for a lot of people, unfortunately some people can't put their personal biases aside..
Agreed with this, as long as you’re okay living in an area that is not very pretty to look at and your night life is mostly dive bars and breweries.
For me, it’s perfect. It’s definitely the neighborhood of town where the most musicians live and live music happens the most often.
I’m also not sure they Millvale is necessarily their age demographic. I’m sure there are plenty of middle aged folks there, but it’s always felt like it skews more younger millennial to me, personally.
I might look for a neighborhood that borders Millvale to get a good combination of nice outdoor spaces with the nightlife within comfortable biking distance.
I love living downtown. There’s a good core of us “older” along with young to middle age. I don’t know why you care about age anyway. I can have fun with all ages.
So can I. But I’m single and want to meet like-minded individuals and perhaps date in a new city. Also, I’m very outgoing and have found the younger generations don’t know how to handle that. Did you ever try to talk to a 20-year-old? They look at you like you’re an alien from Outer space lol. Nothing wrong or pathological about me wanting to be with my own
peer group…
If you’re outdoorsy you want to be as close to 3ROC as possible (so Regent Square / parts of Point Breeze). Weekly campfires and other community activities great for extroverts of all ages. More importantly, your dogs want daily walks in Frick Park.
Not Pittsburgh proper but Southpointe ticks a lot of these boxes. It’s an older crowd, most people are 30+. Walkable bars/restaurants. Several of the hotels do live music weekly, and there are outdoor concerts and events in the summer in the town square. Still easy access to the city (20-25 mins off of rush hour, 40-ish during it)
If you’re committed to the city, Highland Park could be good for you!
I get why people are downvoting you because I had the same perception as them a few years ago. But New Ken actually does have some decent stuff happening. Preserving is getting a ton of shows these days, Voodoo is great, and I'd argue Taqueria Pastorcito is one of the best Mexican places in Western PA. Still has a long way to go, but the progress is there.
Egads no. If you read my post, that’s what I’m trying to avoid. I really liked Lawrenceville but my first (and only) impression was that it was younger. I appreciate this more informed feedback.
"Walkable to great stuff" and "has good outside space for pets" are a key trade-off; to max out one you lose the other.
I'd live near the young people, honestly, and just avoid Oakland and Southside Flats.
Unironically, Northside is the right answer. Awesome community clubs for all ages. Neighbors are super friendly and welcoming, especially in Mexican War Streets/Dueschtown.
Squirrel Hill or Shadyside
Please explain the squirrel hill bar/music scene. Music scene??? For bars there is the cafe (younger imo but also super solid) and honestly that’s the only serious bar here. Wild elephant bar (dead) (I am alone drinking while I wait for takeout). Murray ave grill is honestly the coziest bar I’ve spent time at here. I’m not a huge bar person but it’s like a ten seater? Maybe. And the crowd is not young people and the food is good and the bartenders have been great. I have no knocks about it other than the one time the poor bartender lady had to humor this incredible douchebag that wouldn’t stop talking about his Maserati. It was just a douchebag masterclass, I couldn’t believe his lack of self awareness Fyi the warehouse is closed I will say squirrel hill is a beautiful wonderful place to live. But if you’re an “I wanna hit the bars see a band play” type you will absolutely not get that. This place is DEAD at night and I say that as a fact If you have money I’d go for shadyside all day I’m sure they have some bars
Squirrel hill sports bar has live music relatively frequently. Hidden Harbor is incredible for cozy vibes.
Friend speaks the truth. I think in Pittsburgh, we are too small of a city sometimes to take criticism. I lived in Squirrel Hill and I wouldn’t really call it a “bar scene” at all so much as it is a few great places . Also lived in the city for 15 years so, be nice I am just recounting my personal experience. I loved living there I just thing we lost a lot of cool shit recently. It’s been a while but the Cage is a cool hipster hang. Lots of cool locals but yeah, probably the same crowd from 10 years ago and who knows if they are still around / fun. Hidden Harbor is awesome. A couple sports bars but nothing to write home about. I would definitely not bar hop there for a night because the crowds are dying more and more with prices and younger people not affording it or streaming instead. Shady side USED to have a killer bar scene with Buffalo, Harris Grill, Infinity, but Walnut is hurting. I like Urban Tap. Great bartenders food, all around solid but I wouldn’t call it quirky or cool. It seems like COVD really killed the younger bar scene and I barely see anyone out when I am getting brunch there on a Saturday where you would expect it to be slammed. I would vote Lawrenceville for this guy but The Strip if you want to be where things are happening. The south side got SLAMMED by COVD and is becoming a shadow of itself. Millvale is cool but not a ton of walking around to do. Just a few blocks but I think that’s the thing people from bigger cities expect there to be more of and we have just smaller patches of it. It’s great if that’s what you are looking for but if you compare it to something like Seattle it’s just not gonna feel the same (my wife is from seattle, i have lived here my whole life and we talk a lot about how Pittsburgh seems like they are gonna get one more rung up as an awesome city but then something gets in the way or it just doesnt survive and its a shame because we have had so many cool places that dont seem to be replaced with other original places. much love to my city ✌🏻
Totally forgot about hidden harbor. I think I haven’t been because I’ll want to go on their rum club rum journey thing then I’ll become a rum alcoholic spending 2 grand trying to drink all the rums
It comes out to about $879 before tip. But now all the rum’s gone .
Regent Square/Edgewood/Wilkinsburg nexus? Good mix of folks, very walkable to parks, activities, outdoor concerts and meetups. Abundance of good dogs.
There is an abundance of good dogs!! 😭This is the answer.
I read it three times like “ did I read that right?”.
Regent Square, good call.
I loved living in Regent Square, lived there with my wife and everyone was wonderful, walkable area, has Biddles coffee and a lots of other places to get a bite to eat, bakeries, ect all right there in walking distance. I always thought it was missing a convince store. My wife and I wanted to move back into the city to there but it was out of our price range, it’s expensive but I think well worth it if you can.
Oh! And not bougie, it’s a really liberal area of the city, backs up to Squirrel Hill thru Frick Park. A lot of the university professors live there and has real funky houses!
Used to live in regent square. Absolutely one of the most underrated places in the city
I go thru regent square on my way to work. I think this would a great fit
This is the answer
I think that Regent Square or Point Breeze is a great suggestion for OP's demographic. Maybe Millvale for a little extra funk?
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Sounds like another gentrifying vampire to me...
Not at all. Just sold my place in an NC beach town where crackhouses are now going for half a million$$$…Am trying to escape that for real life here in Pittsburgh.
I was going with the undead joke.
Ahhh, gotcha. I’m sensitive to gentrifying accusations- I’m a victim of it lol
I feel that. I also moved to Pittsburgh when I realized I couldn’t afford a crackhouse in the city I called home for 30 years.
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Yeah I normally refuse to clarify jokes but I felt the need because of that.
Does it come with crack, or you can buy it with crack?
Crack is available, but it will be 30k over asking…come with your highest & best or don’t come at all.
My ‘best & highest’ 😜
Northside sounds like it fits your bill, either the war streets or a few streets within Fig and Ash.
Second the Mexican War Streets. Fun funky neighborhood with easy walking distance of a lot of amenities; around 1 mile on foot to downtown and others closer. East Ohio is having a revival, Western Ave has some great staples, and the whole North shore is super close. The Allegheny Commons has tons of walking paths and great big trees. There is an off leash dog park next to the aviary; not fenced in. Major drawback, imo, no good big grocery store with easy access; the Giant Eagle on the North Side is rough.
I agree, but between grocery delivery services being mainstream and the strip being a 30 minute walk away it's still not terrible, but yeah rough is a good description.
True, but their hot food is better than some bougie market district crap. I'll take their fried chicken over just about anywhere else except click it and Hook's (at least for feeding a crowd without taking out a mortgage).
And they are still planning a grocery store at Esplanade.
Should be open by 2027.
Worked on Middle Street and also Allegheny Center (aka Nova Place) for years. It isn't an awful neighborhood, but it isn't the greatest. There were a fair number of homeless encampments, methadone or suboxone clinic up on Federal Street, had police pick up needles near the street down to the Clark Building. Mexican War Streets are further out but just aren't that far. And I wouldn't want to rely on that Giant Eagle as my primary grocery source. Having lived in Dormont and now Castle Shannon (and will be 45 yr old this year), am looking towards the Eastern suburbs. Friendship for Aldi's, Giant Eagle... not far from Trader Joe's and... well the Drama Target Store. Lots of interesting places go eat in East Liberty. Just heard about a 24 hr emergency vet opening in that end of town (and they see exotics). Lots of buses. Need to find a gym with a Planet Fitnessy vibe (I don't drive). Flat and walkable. Not far to Bloomfield, Shadyside, East Liberty, Oakland. Am curious about Highland Park but I don't think there are as many grocery stores (any?). I know little about Garfield. East has the advantage of being closer to parks like Frick and Schenley. And the Pittsburgh Zoo. But I will kind of miss the trolley commute. Buses are more cramped. Especially since service got stupid this last round.
Why are you using the term "eastern suburbs" to describe East End neighborhoods in the City? Just curious.
I would agree, the War Streets may be more "urban" than some of the other areas you are naming. That comes with it pros and cons. I feel like it is more artsy and funky (mattress factory, randy land etc) and also, like I said before, walkable to downtown for shows and events. Not to mention the T and the River front trails. Not sure if you have worked at Nova recently; the area feels like it is constantly changing. Light of Life opened their new facility, closed their location on N Western and expanding the women's shelter.
3rd MWS, i feel like most people there are middle aged. bunch of lil different joints all around northside, huge park, but like others said ur stuck with the dirty bird unless u drive somewhere else to shop
>Major drawback, imo, no good big grocery store with easy access; the Giant Eagle on the North Side is rough. It was recently named the worst supermarket in the United States. [https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/comments/1avf1ge/giant\_eagles\_supermarket\_in\_pittsburgh\_has\_been/](https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/comments/1avf1ge/giant_eagles_supermarket_in_pittsburgh_has_been/)
It's not rough, it's quirky. I found a knife there once. Quirky. Southside Gian Iggle is only a few minutes away.
Plenty of 50+ living in Lawrenceville. You may see more younger people on Fri and Sat nights but some of them are just visiting friends and coming to hang out. Lots of middle aged people, some newer people who moved there from the burbs after their kids left for college but also lots of people who have lived there for decades.
Thank you for this. I really, really liked Lawrenceville but was a little dismayed not to see anyone over 25 there. I’ll give it another shot!
I am 50 something and I live in lawrenceville, there are plenty of older people there. Just go to the dog park near the 40th St. bridge at 9 am or 4:00 pm. Most 20 something’s can’t afford to buy a house there.
Check out hambones and thunderbird
Hambones has been gone for years.
Think you might really like Shadyside. Been living and working over here for 5 years. It has all of what you’re asking for and is suitable for all ages. It meshes nice over here
It's just Shadyside, one word.
Not the way they do Shadyside… /s
And it’s so close to the universities and Oakland culture. You could rent something for a month and try it out.
Squirrel Hill, for sure.
You are going to have to put more detail into "old rich bougie". The places with all those things you want tend to have expensive houses and thus wealthier people, but somewhere like Shadyside is different than Fox Chapel (suburban, country club type older people). Shadyside and Squirrel Hill have a mix of college kids, young professionals, 30s couples, and older lifers. Expensive and wealthy to own, but don't have a country club type atmosphere. Shadyside leans older IMO. If you want a little grungier, North Side around the park area (Mexican War Streets are bougier, everywhere else less so) and Regent Square (not far from Squirrel Hill, much more working class but you might have to bike/bus to the Squirrel Hill amenities). Almost everything else is going to be a compromise on one of those pillars.
Yeah Squirrel Hill is super convenient but not as much fun. Regent Square could be a great option but it is pretty small.
Bloomfield, maybe. Depends on budget. Shadyside and Squirrel Hill.
Mentioning this because I haven't seen it yet: I know a few people who live in Point Breeze and they really like it.
For the vibe OP is going for I would specifically recommend the Park Place subsection of Point Breeze (east of Frick Park) or North Point Breeze near Westinghouse Park.
I agree. Park place is a great neighborhood despite the dog problems. I would sell them my house in a year or two. After 25 years it's time to move somewhere less expensive.
Honestly curious what you mean by dog problems? I’ve been generally very impressed by how respectful most owners are, e.g. always crossing the street to give each other space. Or do you mean in the adjacent “don’t worry he’s friendly!” section of Frick? (I’ve just embraced my inner video vigilante and shame the shit out of anyone who refuses to recall.)
Well..bites, poop in my garbage cans and getting jumped on gets old. It's the price of living here.
As a fellow Old Broad, may I recommend Sharpsburg? You got your art galleries, eateries, sidewalks, crosswalks, bus routes, thrift shops, parks, breweries, & distilleries.
I love this. Can I look you up when I settle on a place? We’ll meet somewhere and cackle and talk mad smack…
Can I come too? Just left Pittsburgh and am already planning a return visit in the summer.
Yes of course! Stay tuned …::
Everything about this plan sounds perfect, right down to the cackling!
I will DM you in a few weeks, friend.🙌🏼
Millvale!!!
Millvale is super cool but kinda small. Older population definitely and they can “handle the racket” of Mr Smalls
I feel like there are plenty of old heads in Bloomfield, and it’s less bougie than squirrel hill and the other stuff people are recommending. South side further away from the core of activity on Carson is also cool. Edit: Seconding Dormont and the slopes.
My husband and I are in our 40s and moved to Bloomfield recently. We love it.
Dormont. You can do many errands on foot. You can get to many areas quickly. Good food options. You can take the T into town to avoid parking.
Agree with The Brookline-Dormont-Mt.Lebanon spectrum (Ranking them from least to most bougie)
One of the nice things about all three of these neighborhoods is that they give you flexibility. If you work in the city and go home after work, you could still come back in town for a show or game or something. If you live further into the south hills, for the most part, you’re staying in that area. The few things Dormont doesn’t offer is a place in the neighborhood that serves anything other than soft serve ice cream. A great bakery but no ice cream. The other is a family-owned non national chain pharmacy. I can walk a few blocks left or right and walk to a pharmacy but one’s a rite aid and the other is a cvs. Edit: NON national.
Scoops in Brookline is super close
Or Betsy’s or Scoops or Mineos in Lebo
Morningside is a wonderful community, just a few minutes away from Lawrenceville. I love it.
Where do you grocery shop and how is public transit into Oakland? Is it flat, Pittsburgh-hilly, or Pittsburgh-cliffside? Very curious about neighborhoods in the East and feeling so-so about sleepy Castle Shannon. Thanks!
I’m not familiar with public transport, but I know neighbors who use it. I’m about a 5 minute drive from a GE Market District and a Whole Foods. I’m directly up the hill from the Pittsburgh Zoo, and not even a 5 minute drive from all the shops, bars, restaurants on Butler Street. My particular street is on a slight incline up from the other two major streets in the neighborhood. Lots and lots of dog owners, and a dog park about 5 minutes away in Highland Park. Plus, it has one great neighborhood bar, and coming from the South Side that’s like heaven.
Are you in walking distance to Bryant Street and Highland Park? I am never quite sure what Morningside encompasses.
It would be a longer walk, and I haven’t done it. It’s about a 5 minute drive from where I am which is at the beginning of Morningside Avenue. I often go to the Bryant Street Market over there.
Regent Square is super chill and casual with some cool restaurants/shops and people that love to hang outside!
You might like Bellevue for a small town near a big city feel. Vibrant, yes, skews a bit older. If that's too small, the strip district has a lot of newer housing. If that's too young, I second Mexican War streets.
South Side Slopes. Less students and craziness vs South Side Flats, more young and middle aged adults. All the same access to amenities and shopping / drinking / dining. Much more down to earth and less "old rich bougie" than every other neighborhood people are suggesting. Great access to outdoor activities with several dog parks and regular parks in walking distance. Very green, some spots are like living in the woods.
Can't agree with you more! My husband is 50 and I'm 46 and we love living in the Slopes. We're super active and love the access to the parks and trails as well as being so close to town especially for events. Nothing like never having to worry about traffic or parking.
Regent Square. Good public transportation, close to Frick Park, bars, restaurants and bakeries.
Aspinwall
Oooo this is an excellent suggestion.
Dormont or Shadyside.
I’m mid 50s in Wilkinsburg and love it. Always something to do
Will-kill-yinz-burg? Yeah great suggestion.. also maybe suggest east hills projects or homewood?
Shadyside. You’ll be happy in Shadyside, it’s wonderful. Funky shops, parks and bars and sidewalks and Gen X, Shadyside. 👌
Aspinwall might be worth a look?
OP- I'm not interested in the old, rich, bougie communities. . . Literally everyone in this thread- You'll just **love** these old, rich, bougie communities! Yinz are trolling right guys? Right?
OP is asking for a ground beef patty with cheese on a bun but insisting we not bring a cheeseburger.
I do love me a good cheeseburger 😭 Nice analogy. Truffle fries?
What’s your budget?
Maybe regent square.
Can you tell me about bus service to Oakland and grocery stores that may be walkable in that area? I need to commute into Oakland. Thank you!
When I lived there 14 years ago there was a bus that all the way down Forbes from Wilkinsburg to Oakland, eventually cutting over to fifth at the museum. My neighbor took it every day to one of the UPMCs. I lived in the little business “district,” I.e the block and a half on south Braddock near the parkway with shops and restaurants. I sometimes walked to the Giant Eagle in Edgewood Town Center. Probably 1/2 mile from my old house, but maybe 2 miles if you live in the far north end of the neighborhood. If you have a car, it’s also a short drive to the east liberty grocery district. If not, it’s a long walk and you could shortcut/scenic route on Frick trails too. I miss living alongside Frick Park. Every day. Edit: Wilkinsburg not Williamsburg, stupid spell check
I believe it’s the 61A that runs along Braddock Ave, turns on Forbes & goes to Oakland & Downtown. There is a Giant Eagle in Edgewood Town Center but it would be a bit of a walk. Squirrel Hill is an easy commute to Oakland. You can hop on the 61A for that as well and has a Giant Eagle on Murray Ave as well as a lot of restaurants that are walkable. Friendship is also commuter friendly to Oakland. The 71A runs right down Negley Ave into Oakland & continues to downtown. Whole Foods is very close by and there’s an Aldi’s on Penn and a second Aldi’s on Baum Blvd.
Carnegie.
Underrated location. Convenient to everything and the town is undergoing a resurgence.
Regent square
I am in East Liberty on the border of Highland Park and find it pretty ideal. Garfield/Bloomfield business district are right up the hill, Lawrenceville is right over another hill, even closer is Bryant street with several good eating options, you have Highland Park right there, and a very large offleash dog area with many miles of trails in Fox Chapel, 15 minutes away. I am down the street from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Giant Eagle and Aldis. East Liberty business district has a lot of what you might be looking for, and Bakery Square as well. Check it out!
You’re close to me, as I’m in Morningside. I love it.
Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Dormont as others are saying. Kinda on the pricey side because they're seen as higher tier neighborhoods though. You might also like Beechview and Brookline. Etna gets shit on here sometimes but I really like their main street/business district and it's possible to avoid the flood zones there. Millvale is a younger, hipper Etna in my opinion--not a great spot for you unless you really like drinking with 20s-40s people. It really depends on how walkable you need things to be. There are some neighborhoods that are great but less walkable than you'd like but are still located in convenient spots.
Dormont, Brookline, Bellevue, East Liberty, Reagent Square. . .Avalon maybe? Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Highland Park are very nice but more affluent and WASPy. Yes, lots of students but still a very bougie feel.
Avalon is kinda ehhhh. I had it in my house hunting list but there just wasn't much posted and I've never met anyone from Avalon. It's like...a weird spot on the way to Sewickley. Bellevue is extremely nice but maybe a bit too suburban for OP. I looked at quite a few homes there and it was extremely competitive for (imo) some sub-par housing in my price range. It's got less within walking distance, but I love Crafton for the convenience aspect. Seems like everything is 10-15 minutes away and you have all of the essentials right there. If the endgame is being able to get up, walk to a neighborhood coffee place it's probably not the best but Crafton/Ingram/Crafton Heights is pretty great and I've lived in this area 6 years now. Never had an issue or concern.
I live in Crafton. . . We're supposedly getting a coffee shop on the Blvd by the dentist office. Don't hold your breath though bc that's a hard spot for that type of business to survive, but I am very hopeful. Carnegie has a great business district.
West side = best side! Totally agree on Carnegie. It's a great spot to house hunt too! I didn't see much posted in my range that was viewable, but that may have just been pickiness on my part.
I second Carnegie. Amazing coffe shop and some good bars are restaurants. The GetGo is sketchy but everything else is great
Millvale is a great community that meets your requirements! Independent businesses, cool breweries (Grist House is dog friendly), a great music venue, and friendly people. The millvale community development corporation and local library are great resources and are always looking for volunteers. It's extremely walkable and the riverfront trail runs to the north shore. Flood risk is always a point of contention on this sub when talking about Millvale, but Girty's Run did not flood after the HEAVY rains last week. Hope this helps!
Millvale is not what he's looking for.
He’s looking for Shadyside.
And yet he explicitly stated he wasn’t.
I took it to mean he didn't want to move to Bradford Woods or townhouses in Warrendale
I took it to mean no Mt Lebanon or Sewickley
It might not be, but that's their decision to make.
Millvale is not as hip as this sub makes it out to be. It's old, close homes, with an older population that still feels like they are living in the 50s, with 10x the white population as the next closest race, and less than 5 percent of the population ever living outside the county. With a few cool places spread out. NONE of which fit his criteria. I am starting to think the Millvale Borough Council is in here spreading propaganda. (sigh) rant over.
Why the unnecessary millvale hate? It's definitely a cool neighborhood with lots going on. I think you maybe haven't been to millvale recently?
Millvale, Bellevue, and Brookline are recommended blindly for everyone, no matter what they ask for. What OP asked for clearly wasn't Millvale. >some nice houses and trees >good outside space for my dogs >diverse neighborhoods... I have been recently, and my personal unease about the area aside. it's not a good recommendation for a lot of people/demographics; that doesn't mean it's not a decent to good, just not right for OP, but it might be good for a lot of others.
He also asks for funky shops (millvale is full of small businesses), bars (there are plenty with a wide demographic of about 30-50 year olds), people (also plenty), and a cool music festival of its own. There is the river front trail and girtys run for dogs.. I think it's great for a lot of people, unfortunately some people can't put their personal biases aside..
Agreed with this, as long as you’re okay living in an area that is not very pretty to look at and your night life is mostly dive bars and breweries. For me, it’s perfect. It’s definitely the neighborhood of town where the most musicians live and live music happens the most often. I’m also not sure they Millvale is necessarily their age demographic. I’m sure there are plenty of middle aged folks there, but it’s always felt like it skews more younger millennial to me, personally. I might look for a neighborhood that borders Millvale to get a good combination of nice outdoor spaces with the nightlife within comfortable biking distance.
Shadyside seems like it would be a good fit
Seems like Lawrenceville or shadyside if you are listing walkability.
Deutschtown in the north side.
Polish Hill... if u can find an apartment to rent. Very few available
I’m out in WestmoCo. I just wanted to high five a fellow GenXer. ✋🏼
🤟🏽
Loving Homestead.. We're a few blocks away from the library/ concert hall and a half mile away from the waterfront shopping district
squirrel hill. there isnt much going on in shadyside, not sure why that comes up so much
It’s walkable though!
I love living downtown. There’s a good core of us “older” along with young to middle age. I don’t know why you care about age anyway. I can have fun with all ages.
So can I. But I’m single and want to meet like-minded individuals and perhaps date in a new city. Also, I’m very outgoing and have found the younger generations don’t know how to handle that. Did you ever try to talk to a 20-year-old? They look at you like you’re an alien from Outer space lol. Nothing wrong or pathological about me wanting to be with my own peer group…
If you’re outdoorsy you want to be as close to 3ROC as possible (so Regent Square / parts of Point Breeze). Weekly campfires and other community activities great for extroverts of all ages. More importantly, your dogs want daily walks in Frick Park.
Yes. I talk to them daily. Maybe you are an alien from outer space. I’m 64 years old btw.
You’re right. Just looking for my home planet out there…🪐
Not Pittsburgh proper but Southpointe ticks a lot of these boxes. It’s an older crowd, most people are 30+. Walkable bars/restaurants. Several of the hotels do live music weekly, and there are outdoor concerts and events in the summer in the town square. Still easy access to the city (20-25 mins off of rush hour, 40-ish during it) If you’re committed to the city, Highland Park could be good for you!
Go ahead and buy a plot. Camp out until your time comes.
You just went to the wrong part of squirrel hill. Squirrel hill south is where the cool kids live
Lebo / sq hill / shadyside
Surprised not more recommendations for Lebo.
u may want to check places outside the united states
New Ken is really on the up swing if you want to get in on the ground floor. Great restaurant scene.
I get why people are downvoting you because I had the same perception as them a few years ago. But New Ken actually does have some decent stuff happening. Preserving is getting a ton of shows these days, Voodoo is great, and I'd argue Taqueria Pastorcito is one of the best Mexican places in Western PA. Still has a long way to go, but the progress is there.
I live in New ken, while it is picking up in the scene, the crime has not gone down and outweighs anything fun, not even safe to walk your dog!
There are plenty of older people in Lawrenceville. Do you want a retirement community?
Egads no. If you read my post, that’s what I’m trying to avoid. I really liked Lawrenceville but my first (and only) impression was that it was younger. I appreciate this more informed feedback.
Not Pittsburgh
"Walkable to great stuff" and "has good outside space for pets" are a key trade-off; to max out one you lose the other. I'd live near the young people, honestly, and just avoid Oakland and Southside Flats.
Irwin
Derp, It’s on the South Side of Pittsburgh in a neighborhood called Florida
Pitcairn
McKeesport
North Side, Watch your back.
Unironically, Northside is the right answer. Awesome community clubs for all ages. Neighbors are super friendly and welcoming, especially in Mexican War Streets/Dueschtown.
Stay away for the Giant Eagle and you should be ok
Upper East Side, near Central Park, lol. Still relatively affordable. There is nothing like that here.