We love Pittsburgh. With 90 historic neighborhoods, it truly has something for everyone!
But from the hundred-year-old mansions in Point Breeze to the cozy hillside homes in Mt. Washington, every neighborhood is truly unique.
And that means some neighborhoods are better fits for certain families than others.
Whether you’re moving to Pittsburgh for the first time or looking to move out of the neighborhood you grew up in, it’s worth exploring your options before buying a home.
Follow our guidance to find the best Pittsburgh neighborhood that’s a perfect fit for your personality and lifestyle!
How to Evaluate Whether A Neighborhood Is Right For You
When you’re ready to start exploring Pittsburgh neighborhoods in search of the perfect home, follow our four-step approach:
1. Start By Exploring the Parks
Here’s a little-known fact: Many of Pittsburgh’s parks were initially established in part to connect separate neighborhoods together—especially during the City Beautiful Movement of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Take Frick Park, for example. This beautiful green space is the connective tissue between Point Breeze, Regent Square, and Squirrel Hill, offering a link between three distinct neighborhoods.
While you’re checking out the parks, pay attention to:
The park’s amenities. What attractions or features would you and your family appreciate?
The nearby roadways. Many Pittsburgh parks are bordered by major throughways that could become important streets on your daily commute.
Nearby stores and restaurants. As we’ll explore in a moment, you can tell a lot about a neighborhood by its “third spaces”—public spaces outside of the house and work where people can gather and connect.
2. Check Out the Third Spaces
As we mentioned earlier, a third space is any public location or facility outside of the house and work where the community can connect. With that in mind, pay close attention to:
Coffee Shops
Believe it or not, WalletHub says Pittsburgh is the 13th best city in the country for coffee! And depending on who you ask, we also have the highest number of coffee shops per capita. (So, if you’re a native and addicted to coffee, it might not be your fault!)
Beyond the value of a good cup of joe, though, is the people. Hanging out in a local coffee shop gives you greater insight into the types of people who frequent the neighborhood. And if you’re a fellow coffee fiend, you can also pick out a new favorite day-time hangout.
Bars And Pubs
As business owners ourselves, we’ve always believed in the importance of supporting small, local businesses. And as beer lovers, we’ve always believed in supporting small, local bars, pubs, and breweries.
But there’s another reason for checking out the local neighborhood haunt: It’ll give you a real feel for who lives and works in the area. During happy hour, you’ll likely run into the local business crowd, while a random weekday night will probably give you an opportunity to clink glasses with a true local.
While you’re there, pay attention to the food menu. If you’re picking out a neighborhood, you want the local restaurants to serve food you already enjoy—not something you have to learn to like.
Grocery Stores
You can learn plenty about a neighborhood by its grocery stores. So, grab a cart and stroll through the store. Pay attention to details like:
What’s on the shelves? Large sections for ethnic foods indicates strong local diversity.
How much fresh produce is there? A large produce selection means you may have an easier time reaching your own personal health goals.
How nice is it? Cleanliness and overall visual appeal are good indicators of local economic diversity.
How’s it decorated? If the grocery store decorates for the holidays or during the playoffs, it indicates local pride.
3. Pay Attention to Specific Details During the Season
A neighborhood can tell you all about its local pride—provided you pay attention. Read this section to learn exactly what to watch throughout the year.
Fall & Winter
During the fall and winter months, pay attention to:
Holiday Decorations - How do the neighbors decorate their front lawns and front porches? Do the local neighborhood groups take the time to string up lights and signs along the main streets?
Safety - How quickly do locals shovel their sidewalks after a snowstorm? Does the city salt and plow major roads through the neighborhood right away?
Spring & Summer
During the spring and summer seasons, check out:
Lawns - Do the local homeowners take pride in their yards? Do they mow before the grass grows out of control?
Flower Gardens - Do the homeowners take the time to plant flowers in their gardens? Do they take the time to pull weeds to give the flowers the best chance possible?
Front Porches - If the houses have many front porches, do the homeowners generally keep these areas clear so they can sit and enjoy the outdoors? Or are these spaces generally used for storage?
4. Visit Public Resources
Be sure to explore some of the local resources to complete your neighborhood research. There are two essential hubs to visit:
Look for a neighborhood website - Most major neighborhoods in the Pittsburgh metro area have a community website either run by the local government or a neighborhood association. There, you can learn about the neighborhood’s history and annual events. If you can’t find the website with a simple Google search, ask someone at the local library. And speaking of libraries…
Visit the local library - Pittsburgh’s libraries are fantastic resources for information on the local community. There, you can pick up calendars for local events and upcoming attractions, and you’ll really get a sense for how much the neighborhood invests in the local community.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you decide to live in Pittsburgh, our final advice ultimately remains the same:
Be a good neighbor when you get to the place where you land.
We love Pittsburgh, and we love the spirit of community that permeates this wonderful city. Being a good neighbor is essential to embodying and perpetuating that goodwill!
If you want to learn more about everything Pittsburgh has to offer, contact us. We’ll help you find a neighborhood and home that’s right for you.