When we start working with homebuyers in our region, we inevitably hear the same question over and over again: What’s the best neighborhood in Pittsburgh?
It’s a tricky question for two reasons.
Reason 1: “Best” is a subjective term, and it usually depends on an individuals’ preferences around what makes an ideal neighborhood for their lifestyle.
Reason 2: Even “Pittsburgh” is a tad subjective. We know some people who only use “Pittsburgh” to refer to the city proper, not including smaller boroughs just outside the city like Swissvale, Dormont, and Millvale, while others consider “Pittsburgh” to extend all the way up through North Park!
But if you’re new to Pittsburgh, you simply want to know how one neighborhood compares to another (which is one of the reasons we started developing our neighborhood reports).
With that in mind, we’ve decided to rank the Pittsburgh neighborhoods by category. Use the table of contents below to get started!
Table of Contents
Best Neighborhoods In Pittsburgh
Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Pittsburgh based on features and amenities:
Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods For Walkability
If you’re looking for a neighborhood with plenty of safe sidewalks for walking around town, check out these lovely options:
Squirrel Hill - In some ways, Squirrel Hill is the Starbucks of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. It’s universally loved; it features great businesses, parks, and public transit; and (of course) it is incredibly walker-friendly. With plenty of wide sidewalks, Squirrel Hill is a terrific neighborhood if you want to live somewhere you can easily traverse on foot. Learn more by reading our Squirrel Hill Neighborhood Report.
Highland Park - Highland Park and the neighborhoods around it are incredibly walkable, with plenty of open sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks. Just as important: You’ll have easy access to Highland Park itself, which is packed with trails, athletic fields, and locations to relax.
Regent Square - Regent Square is a quaint little neighborhood with antique shops, local restaurants, and picturesque homes. And once you step off South Braddock Avenue, the neighborhood’s major throughway, you’re greeted by lovely houses lined with lush front yards and beautiful trees. Learn more by reading our Regent Square Neighborhood Report.
Point Breeze - Point Breeze is a historic neighborhood with easy access to destinations like Bakery Square, Mellon Park, and the Frick Museums & Gardens. Plus, those tree-lined streets offer plenty of shaded sidewalks for extra walkability. Learn more by reading our Point Breeze Neighborhood Report.
Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods for Restaurants
Looking for a great place to eat? Dip into their foodie-friendly neighborhoods:
Lawrenceville - If you have a reservation, Lawrenceville is one of the best weekend destinations for a Pittsburgh foodie. With dozens of highly reviewed restaurants along Butler Street, you’ll find no shortage of options in this town.
Squirrel Hill - If you don’t want to worry about reservations, Squirrel Hill is an excellent second choice. Featuring a variety of upscale and family-friendly restaurants, this neighborhood especially ideal if you’re interested in international fare.
Bloomfield - Bloomfield has come a long way from its simple status as an Italian neighborhood, and you’ll now find a wide range of great options—including Ginza, our favorite sushi restaurant in Pittsburgh. Plus, you can also visit Lot 17, which has a fantastic happy hour. Learn more by reading our Bloomfield Neighborhood Report.
Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods for Grocery Shopping
Let’s be clear: Pittsburgh is not a great city for grocery shopping. You’ll rarely find a store where you can get everything in one place, and you’re often subjected to high prices in Giant Eagle, the region’s biggest grocery chain.
As a result, whether or not a neighborhood is a great grocery shopping option really depends on the individual and their own unique needs.
But here are a few places we think stand out from the rest:
The Strip District - If you have time to walk around from shop to shop, you’ll find plenty of fresh meat, fish, produce, and more in this bustling section of Pittsburgh.
Squirrel Hill - In addition to Giant Eagle, you’ll also find plenty of Asian markets and an exceptional seasonal farmer’s market.
South Side - South Side is a popular destination for food in general—both for bars/restaurants and grocery stores. Yes, you’ll find Aldi and Giant Eagle, but there are other options as well!
Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods For Shopping
Some neighborhoods are packed with adorable boutiques and intriguing retailers with hyper-focused products. Here are some of the best places in the city for a great shopping experience:
Lawrenceville - Lawrenceville makes the list again—this time for its ample selection of boutiques and thrifty shops. You’ll find a little bit of everything here—from upcycled electronics to high-end fashion to retro furniture.
Shadyside - Shadyside is packed with plenty of great stores, especially if you like checking out high-end clothing stores carrying the hottest name brands.
Regent Square - Regent Square is a small town with a small-town feel, but you’ll still find plenty of unique stores (including antiques) in this neighborhood. Plus, we love visiting 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. for new camping and outdoors supplies to assist us on our family adventures.
Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods For Public Transportation
When we think about the public transportation in Pittsburgh, we’re really thinking about proximity to the “T” and the busway—something that has evolved recently with PRT’s latest bus route updates.
With that in mind, some of the best neighborhoods for access to public transportation include:
Swissvale
Wilkinsburg
Northside
Uptown
Oakland
The Strip District
Mt. Washington
Dormont
Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods For Air Quality
Like most major cities, Pittsburgh has the occasional air quality alert. Pollution levels in Pittsburgh tend to be higher along major roadways and in neighborhoods where you’ll still find major manufacturing, power generation, and other greenhouse-emitting businesses (such as McKees Rocks and Braddock).
Fortunately, the region’s trees and hills help protect certain neighborhoods. For higher air quality, check out:
Glen Hazel
Greenfield
Edgewood
Point Breeze
Garfield
Highland Park
Stanton Heights
Forest Hills
Learn more by checking out the Breathe Project and the Air Quality Map.
Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods For Parks
Pittsburgh is packed with great parks, and all of them have something different to offer. With Ted being such a huge frisbee golf fan, we often look for parks with suitable courses—but you’ll also find playgrounds, hiking trails, basketball courts, designated pickleball areas, and much, much more.
If you love parks, here are a couple of neighborhoods to keep in mind:
Regent Square - The west side of Regent Square is bordered by Frick Park, making access incredibly convenient no matter where you live in this neighborhood. Plus, the tree-lined streets in Regent Square offer an immersive, natural environment all year long!
North Point Breeze - Not only is North Point Breeze home to the soon-to-be-renovated Westinghouse Park offering great playgrounds and walking trails, it’s also a short walk to both Frick Park and Mellon Park, making it a fantastic neighborhood to appreciate many green spaces.
Forest Hills - Forest Hills offers a few nice parks that are open to the community, including Forest Hills Park (great for swimming, tennis, and more) and Koch Park (which has a pickleball court, a baseball diamond, and plenty of open space). Learn more by reading our Forest Hills Neighborhood Report.
Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods For Community Events
It seems like every neighborhood in Pittsburgh has its own assortment of annual and semi-annual community events that bring its neighbors closer together. Here are some of our favorites:
Regent Square - Run Around the Square is an annual 5K, and it’s also the largest neighborhood footrace in Pittsburgh!
Squirrel Hill - The Squirrel Hill Night Market is a free outdoor street festival featuring plenty of fun, food, and drinks for both kids and adults.
Strip District - The Strip District is the perfect Saturday destination for the entire family, with its unique shops, sights, and smells. Plus, Markets at the Terminal take place every Saturday from May through October, giving you even more vendors to explore!
Learn More About Pittsburgh Neighborhoods And Homes
If you’d like to learn even more about the best places to move, contact us! We’ll help you find the perfect house for you and your family!