Pittsburgh After Work

Where The Hell Should I Live in Pittsburgh

I am willing to admit that since graduating college and working for the past 2 years I have all but overstayed my welcome in the parent’s la casa. So the question is where is a 24 yr old on a “modest” budget suppose to move in Pittsburgh. Before I try to answer that question let me list a couple of housing necessities then we can review prices, locations and other amenities.

1) First and foremost I am not buying a house I am 100% renting in Pittsburgh. I know the age old debate on why you should buy and how renting is only throwing money away. Well first off it’s a debate because both sides have their advantages and disadvantages so lets leave that argument to the professionals. Long story short I’m not rich enough to buy any sort of home I would deem respectable and second off I am lazy as hell hence the lack of posting on the site. A house means maintenance and taxes, frankly why do it when someone else will.

2) Second of all I need to live in/near the city of Pittsburgh. Living anywhere within a Pittsburgh suburb will not cut it. Why would I want to pay $400-$700 a month when I currently live in the suburbs for free?

3) I came to the realization that I will need a roommate in Pittsburgh simply because the bigger the apartment the better and it cost way too much to live alone in a decent size apartment in Pittsburgh.

Now that I have covered the necessities lets look at apartment locations in Pittsburgh. I have narrowed this list down to 4 areas.

1. Pittsburgh’s - North Shore
2. Downtown Pittsburgh
3. Mount Washington
4. Pittsburgh’s – South Side

I know what you are saying what about the Strip District, Shady Side or Oakland? My answer to that is simple those places SUCK! The strip is all fine and dandy during the day but soon as the sun sets I don’t feel like dodging bullets and the nightly drug deals. Shady Side is yuppyville and I would not be able to resist running over all bikers & walkers coming too and from whole foods with their organic meals for the day. Which brings us to Oakland, I did college housing before and as nice as it is to have the toilet in the basement with no walls I think I have grown out of that stage.

Let’s start at Pittsburgh’s North Shore which offers two apartment complexes that catch my eye, the Heinz Lofts & the Lincoln at North Shore Apartments. These two locations offer the best option in terms of tailgating for both Steeler games at Heinz field & Bucco games at PNC Park. Both are also within walking distance to some of the best bars on the North Shore & in Downtown Pittsburgh. These apartments sit along the walking trail that runs along the Allegheny River making for a great opportunity to burn off all those empty calories consumed the night before. The problem is I don’t have $1,000 to lay down every month on rent. The Heinz Lofts are more reasonable with a roommate, but I would still end up paying at least $800 a month. The Lincoln at North Shore apartments are by far my favorite and also the most unaffordable. So unless this site starts picking up in terms of traffic and provides me with a little more disposable income each month lets strike the North Shore apartments off the list.
Next we turn to downtown Pittsburgh apartments. Living downtown offers all the same amenities as the North shore and puts you in walking distance to nearly every bar in the Pittsburgh area. The Penn Garrison Lofts in Pittsburgh caught my eye because who the hell doesn’t like drinking on roof tops. But then the $2k price tag per month quickly crushed those dreams. Next stop on the downtown list puts us at the Washington Plaza Apartments next to the Civic arena. These apartments look pretty cool but they do not list their prices on their website. That can only mean one thing they are out of my price range similar to the Lobster at “market price” and that bottle wine whose price they conveniently left off the menu.
Our journey through the city of Pittsburgh brings us high atop the hills of Mt. Washington. The Grand View Pointe provides a stunning view of Pittsburgh. I’m willing to bet my share of Pittsburgh after Work that this added view comes with an extra $500 a month price tag on top of the rent. This apartment sits right above Monterey Bay and is only seconds from the incline which takes you down to Station Square for a long night of boozing. However, the incline closes at midnight and I do not leave bars at midnight.

Finally, we come to my most favorite area in Pittsburgh the Southside. East Carson Street is lined wall to wall with bars and is a habitual watering hole for all of us at Pittsburgh after Workers. The Southside Flats & The Carson Street Commons provide two luxurious options in the heart of Southside. All Southside bars lay within a short walk from both places making for a much safer commute home. However, the price tag once again sits slightly above the affordable price range.

There are my two cents on the renting scenarios in Pittsburgh, and any way you cut it you’re looking at $850 - $1,000 a month per roommate. This price is slightly out of my price range giving my social activities (aka heavy drinking). Lets face it even after I pick the apartment I am looking at least $5k in furnishing because what’s an apartment without at least a 50 inch flat screen TV and over sized leather couch. So if you live in any of these locations or live somewhere that I left off my list hit me up and quite possibly the Pittsburgh after Work team could be your new neighbors.