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Real Estate & Homes in Pittsburgh - Pennsylavania - Pittsburgh, Pennsylavnia homes and communities
Pittsburgh
 
Welcome to Pittsburgh!
Nestled amongst the Allegheny foothills at the confluence of three rivers, Pittsburgh stands as a shining example of the possibilities born from a marriage of tradition and innovation. Historic limestone structures sitting beside glass and steel skyscrapers, modern cars navigating restored 1880s bridges, and young students and professionals moving into well-maintained Victorian homes signify the city’s determination to re-emerge as an American metropolis. Pittsburgh has shed its former cloak of industrialism and smog, committing itself to discovery, growth and culture.
Pittsburgh has developed into a world-class cultural destination, boasting exquisite museums and galleries, captivating theaters, elegant cuisine, and generously endowed libraries. In 1900, Pittsburgh followed only New York in terms of accumulated wealth, and this rich past displays itself today in the architecture and endowments of many of the city’s institutions. Instead of fading as the steel industry ceased to drive the economy, Pittsburgh became a nucleus of medical and business technology.
For those seeking character, variety and a bright future in a new home, Pittsburgh is ideal. It’s frequently listed as one of the country’s “most livable” cities by Places Rated Almanac, and it has one of the most inviting downtowns of any major metropolitan area. In Pittsburgh, the big city with a small-town atmosphere, you’ll never get bored, and you’ll never feel like an outsider.
 
Neighborhoods
Like most large cities, Pittsburgh can be subdivided into smaller neighborhoods with unique cultural backgrounds, attractions and atmospheres. Several neighborhoods are outlined below, though there are many more areas in and around Pittsburgh from which new residents can choose their best match in terms of cost, environment and nearby amenities. Those preferring a suburban setting can choose from several smaller cities on Pittsburgh’s edges while still benefiting from the cultural and professional opportunities provided by a major city. All home cost estimates were accurate as of the last U.S. Census report in 2000.
Among the city’s premiere addresses, the rolling avenues of Squirrel Hill are lined with homes ranging from graceful Tudor estates to high-rise condominiums for college students. Squirrel Hill residents report the highest level of satisfaction with their environment in the city, which may be due in part to the abundance of open green spaces and meticulous residential landscaping. The neighborhood also benefits from strong influences from a number of cultures, evidenced by its many ethnic eateries, bakeries and markets. Many of the small groceries here will still deliver, and stopping at the bookstores, cafés and boutiques makes for a relaxing afternoon. The average price of a home in Squirrel Hill was $160,000 in 2000. Most homes are situated on expansive grounds and are of solid, early 1900s construction.
Next door, Shadyside blends the upscale shops and cafes along Walnut Street and the beautifully restored Victorian homes and apartment buildings. A fantastic corner market; an old-fashioned pharmacy; and several restaurants, clothing stores and salons attract shoppers to oak-lined Walnut Street. UPMC Shadyside hospital sits at the center of Shadyside. Houses typically sell for $139,000, and the majority of residents are young professionals, artists and students.
Many museums, universities and galleries have an Oakland address, and the two primary arteries of Pittsburgh traffic, Forbes and Fifth avenues, are the neighborhood’s backbone. Students, businesspeople and residents swarm along the sidewalks to the unique shops lining Craig Street, Italian and American restaurants, and banks and businesses. Both Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh are prominent landmarks, especially the gothic 42-story brick and glass Cathedral of Learning. Because of the area’s high population density, homes are small and sell for about $65,000. Oakland may be a better choice for younger individuals who desire to be “close to the action” more than they’d like a large yard and quiet nights, as its typically characterized by large numbers of students and large volumes of traffic.
Likewise, the South Side is probably the most urban-hip section of the city, though it also displays its rich past in its elaborate architecture and dedication to individualism. Many antique shops, vintage clothing stores, book stores and gift shops sit amongst coffee shops, galleries, diners and bars on eclectic East Carson Street. It’s also Pittsburgh’s favorite spot for live music. The South Side is divided into two sections: the “Flats” along the Monongahela River and East Carson Street; and the “Slopes,” which are, literally, the slopes of the hills overlooking the flats. Homes in the Flats are older, closer to the action and costlier, while houses perched along the Slopes are more affordable, newer and offer spectacular views. Keeping the price distinctions between locations in mind, the average selling price for homes throughout the South Side was $100,000.
Real estate in many of the city’s other neighborhoods was less costly than in those outlines above, though the market has changed considerably since 2000. Even with rising prices, Pittsburgh is certain to offer something for everyone, and at nearly every budget.
 
Demographics and Climate
More than 370,000 people call Pittsburgh home, and nearly 1.3 million populate surrounding Allegheny County. The city’s residents are a diverse group comprised of international students; Christians, Jews and Hindus; and long-time local families whose ancestors emigrated from Central European countries decades ago. As of the 2000 Census, the median age is 35, and the median income is more than $43,000 yearly. Estimated cost-of-living figures are 4 percent below the national average, which means there’s more left over for your IRA.
The sun shines on the steel city 160 days per year, and the rest of the days help accumulate the 43 inches of snow and 37 inches of rain that fall annually. Temperatures reach the pleasant low 80-degree mark in the summer, and plummet into the 20s in January.
Pittsburgh is served by the newly constructed Pittsburgh International Airport and several regional and private airfields. The North-South Interstate 79 bypasses Pittsburgh to the West, but spur I-279 and I-376 service the city. A small but effective subway system, called the “T,” services the downtown area and crosses underneath the Monongahela to Station Square.
 
Economy
Once the steel capital of the United States, Pittsburgh now relies largely on technology, biomedics and banking for its financial vigor. Though previously infamous for its thick veil of pollution, the closure of the industrial plants and clean air acts have revamped Pittsburgh, which is currently among the most aesthetically pleasing and cleanest cities of its size. As the largest inshore port in the country, Pittsburgh historically depended heavily upon import and export traffic via boat. Today, primarily tourist vessels navigate the broad waters of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers.
Pittsburgh appeals to big business because of its proximity to both New York and Chicago, and the city’s history as a capital of innovation and industry. PNC Bank, Bayer Corporation, Mellon Bank, GNC and 84 Lumber base their operations in the city synonymous with the Pittsburgh Plate Glass, H.J. Heinz and National Steel companies. Pittsburgh follows only Denver in terms of funding provided for university research and development, producing findings and starting businesses that will sustain the city’s economy in the future.
Education
Many highly esteemed universities operate within Allegheny County, the largest among them the University of Pittsburgh with 34,000 undergraduate students enrolled. Carnegie Mellon University, once known as Carnegie Tech, is renowned for its computer science, mathematics and theater colleges. Smaller colleges include Duquesne University, Carlow College, Chatham College, Robert Morris University, Point Park College and La Roche College. Downtown, students sporting white chefs’ hats mill around the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute. For the visually creative, there’s the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and The International Academy of Design & Technology.
Pittsburgh public schools receive $481 million annually and educate more than 35,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Approximately 70 percent of the teaching staff holds advanced degrees, and 75 percent have more than 10 years of classroom experience. Magnet or gifted schools and special education centers complement the standard curriculums. Additionally, many private schools provide either religious-themed or college preparatory environments, and some maintain all-girl or all-boy student bodies.
 
Arts and Culture
Expansive museums, ornate concert halls and theaters, diverse galleries, and a rich history entertain and enlighten Pittsburgh’s residents. Generous endowments for the arts from benefactors Andrew Carnegie, Henry Frick and the Heinz family provided the basis from which today’s multitude of venues and attractions evolved.
The Carnegie Museum of Art boasts an impressive, constantly evolving collection of art representative of every major style imaginable, from ancient to classical to fauvist. After viewing paintings by Mondrian, Monet, Van Gogh and Pittsburgh native Mary Cassatt, study modern sculptures or view an avant-garde film. Also within the museum, the Hall of Architecture, the sole architectural cast collection in the country, displays intricate models of classical Greek and Roman temples and European medieval cathedrals.
The star of the adjacent Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Samson the Tyrannosaurus Rex overlooks the skeletons of his many compatriots — among them, an enormous Diplodocus. Cases of Egyptian and American Indian artifacts educate visitors, and the Hall of Gems & Minerals showcases more than 400 specimens of “minerals as art.” Many educational programs and camps engage young visitors and encourage exploration.
Also a Carnegie institution, the Andy Warhol Museum celebrates one of America’s most innovative pop art icons, the manager of the Velvet Underground and the target of an attempted assassination. Most famous are his Campbell’s soup cans and Marilyn Monroe pieces, and another 500 pieces from his collection are displayed on a rotating schedule in addition to special exhibitions. This North Shore museum also shows Warhol’s experimental films.
Another progressive museum is the Mattress Factory, named the country’s best facility for site-specific installation artwork. The museum also hosts garden parties, literature readings and stage productions, and it invites visitors to get creative in the Art Lab.
Home to the city’s domed IMAX movie screen, the Carnegie Science Center invites children to interact with exhibits detailing the forces behind wave motion and displaying a living coral reef ecosystem. Summer and overnight camps keep kids learning outside school, and even adults are awed by the planetarium presentations.
Modeled on the opulence of the Palace at Versailles, the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts schedules concerts and plays beneath a 20-foot-tall crystal chandelier. O’Reilly Theatre, home to the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, features a unique peninsula-like stage designed by Michael Graves that seats audience members on three of its sides.
The renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays at Heinz Hall, the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District. Broadway performances, concerts and stage shows also run at the 2,661-seat venue. The theater was originally opened as the Lowe's Penn Theatre in 1927, and it reopened in 1971 after major restoration and renovation of the chandelier-lit marble and red velvet hall.
A standout feature of Pittsburgh is the elaborate architecture of its homes, cathedrals and offices. A magnificent brick and granite medieval structure, the Allegheny County Courthouse & Jail stands among gleaming modern skyscrapers. Best known is the gothic PPG Place, a towering testament to the glass company’s prominent position in the community. Other icons include the vaulted ceilings and hundreds of stained glass windows of the gothic Heinz Memorial Chapel; and the arch, suspension and truss steel bridges spanning the city’s rivers. The oldest and longest through-truss bridge in the United States, the Smithfield Street Bridge lights up dramatically at night.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, the house on a waterfall, accepts visitors in nearby Mill Run. Visitors can also tour the gardens, art collections and Victorian architecture of the Henry Frick Estate & Museum in Squirrel Hill.
Three screens at Pittsburgh Filmmakers present independent films; the Pittsburgh Opera performs original-language pieces with projected translations; and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre draws crowds to the Benedum Center. Those interested in live theater will be thrilled by the interpretive and energetic performances at the City Theatre in the South Side. There’s also Penn Avenue Theatre; the Byham Theatre; and the university playhouses, which host professional-caliber shows at a fraction of the usual ticket cost.
 
Leisure and Shopping
Kennywood Park and the 85-mph Phantom’s Revenge roller coaster bring thrill-seekers from miles around. The park also features several wooden roller coasters and the Exterminator, a subterranean coaster that travels through pitch-black tunnels. The Sandcastle water park and the children’s wonderland Idlewild Park entertain with coasters, log flumes and Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.
Looking to enjoy a day just exploring attractions that are right at your fingertips? Ride two still-operational inclines, the Duquesne and the Monongahela, to the top of Mount Washington for a spectacular view of the city’s skyline and rivers. Tour the lush botanical gardens at the Phipps Conservatory, then throw a picnic lunch at adjacent Schenley Park. Or tour the African Savannah, Tropical Forests and Cheetah Valley at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Watch an “owl encounter” show at the National Aviary, home to 200 species of birds, and then enter the Tropical Rainstorm exhibit and experience a bit of South America.
Pittsburgh hosts dozens of annual celebrations and charity marathons throughout the year. The Three Rivers Art Festival kicks off the summer with visual and performing art displays, plus a smorgasbord of food. Celebrate the Fourth of July at the Three Rivers Regatta, with boat races and fireworks. Follow the sound of bagpipes to the Ligonier Highland Games, a Scottish festival of dancing and athleticism. Likewise, the Pittsburgh Irish Festival fills Station Square with Irish music, food and dancing.
Station Square, a converted railroad station near the South Side, serves everything from crabs to deli sandwiches to authentic Japanese entrées. There are also plenty of unique shops, river tours aboard a period clipper ship, and horse and buggy rides. Shopaholics will love Fifth Avenue Place downtown, a two-story glass building packed with clothiers, jewelry shops and food. In additional to the usual megamalls surrounding the city, smaller boutiques stocked with items hand-picked from fashion shows around the world wait along the main streets of most the city’s neighborhoods.
 
Sports and Recreation
Pittsburgh’s rivers should run black and gold, the colors of three of the city’s professional sports teams. With four Super Bowl championships beneath their belt, the Pittsburgh Steelers tackle and score touchdowns at Heinz Field. Hockey fans flock to the Mellon Arena to cheer the Pittsburgh Penguins. PNC Park, heralded as the best field in Major League Baseball, hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates, who came by their name when they “stole” a player from another team in the 1890s. Pittsburgh joined the professional division of the United Soccer League in 1998 with the introduction of the Riverhounds. Hundreds of college and high school teams play throughout the county as well.
The “City of Champions” was hometown to sports legends Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Dan Marino, Joe Namath, Jim Kelly and Tony Dorsett. Upon consideration of this all-star roster, Pittsburgh is clearly the perfect place for aspiring athletes to train. Pittsburgh maintains over 1,700 acres of public parks and an inviting riverfront trail system. Pittsburgh’s Parks and Recreation Department organizes races, league sports, festivals, senior games, and even cinema celebrations and farmers' markets. Sixteen pools and 19 recreation centers are open to the pubic. There are dozens upon dozens of golf courses and clubhouses surrounding the city, and tennis clubs for those who prefer clay to the green.
Beyond the city and its suburbs lies natural Pennsylvania, laced with crystal-clear streams running through old-growth deciduous and pine forests. Adrenaline junkies will love the whitewater rafting adventures in Ohiopyle State Park. Horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, biking and camping provide an escape from the everyday, and encourage an appreciation of the beauty of Pennsylvania’s wilderness. Fishing and hunting are permitted in the state parks in season and in designated areas; licenses are required.
At the tip of the downtown “Golden Triangle,” Point State Park commemorates the French and Indian War during the mid-1700s. Several exercise trails begin at the park and run alongside the rivers. The Fort Pitt Museum educates visitors about frontier-period Pittsburgh, and the 150 feet of water spewing from the Point’s fountain have become one of the city’s icons. West of Pittsburgh, Raccoon State Park, one of the largest in the state, centers on 101-acre Raccoon Lake, which is open to boats, fishermen and swimmers. Stay in a state cabin, or sleep in a tent under the stars in one of the campgrounds.
In the winter, Pittsburgh residents bundle up and head for the hills of the Hidden Valley and Seven Springs ski resorts. Both feature trails designed to appeal to novices through experts and snowboard terrain gardens. Hidden Valley also illuminates 80 percent of its 25 trails for night skiing. Downtown, aspiring figure skaters can practice at the outdoor ice rink at PPG Tower, even larger than the rink at Rockefeller Center in New York. It’s also lit beautifully during the holidays by a massive Christmas tree. Oakland residents can walk to the ice rink at Schenley Park, which holds family nights, general skates and adults-only nights.
 
Dining and Nightlife
Pittsburgh created Heinz Ketchup, Klondike bars, chipped ham and the idea that salads should always be topped off with french fries. The city’s rich and varied cultural heritages ensure that diners can find everything from pierogies to Thai noodles, but the specialty here is innovative yet comfortable cuisine. There are far too many restaurants to single out even a few, but the City Paper publishes an excellent guide and insightful reviews. It’s a great read while enjoying a breakfast of strawberry-filled pancakes or cinnamon French toast at one of the three Pamela’s, a Pittsburgh classic.
Pittsburgh nightlife options offer something to please everyone, whether you’re looking for a punk rock show or a laid-back jazz bar. Live music venues include The World in the Strip District and the Rex Theatre in the South Side. For a night of dining and movies, The Boardwalk complex in the Strip and the Cinemagic Theatres and sidewalk cafés in Squirrel Hill are favorite spots. In Oakland, the Beehive coffeehouse and theater stages "Rocky Horror Picture Show" revivals; expect a wild night if you’re a first-timer.
Where is Pittsburgh?
Written by Kelly Culbertson exclusively for HomesParadise.com.
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