Because of its hilly terrain and the manner in which the original settlers occupied the area, the city of Pittsburgh is composed of many separate neighborhoods. In its early stages, the population segregated itself by ethnic background within the hills that run through the greater Pittsburgh area. While Pittsburgh neighborhoods are now quite diverse, much of the ethnic heritage of each has been retained, adding to their charm.

Each neighborhood typically has its own "main" street with grocery stores, cleaners, restaurants and retail stores. The neighborhoods do not have clearly defined boundaries but rather blend gradually into one another around their perimeters. This fact makes it even more imperative to visit any property you may be interested in renting. An apartment may be listed in one neighborhood by its landlord, but others may interpret its location to be in another, potentially less desirable one.

The following sections include brief descriptions of the neighborhoods within an approximate two-mile radius of the campus. Included with the description is an average rental range as reported by the US Census Bureau. Also included is the average value of houses within that neighborhood. These figures can be useful in identifying what your rental dollar is getting you.

Source: NeighborFair Pittsburgh, Inc.

Bloomfield has houses and apartments that are older and larger than many other areas. They are generally well maintained and have updated interiors and fall in the moderate price range. Here you will find hospitals, churches, laundromats, drug stores, and various kinds of shops and services too numerous to mention. Entertainment facilities include a community recreation center, a swimming pool, a baseball diamond, a hockey court, a gymnasium, a movie theater and a large variety of restaurants.

The Carnegie Mellon shuttle route is immediately adjacent to the area, and the public bus service from Bloomfield has a stop one block from the campus. With their strong and upbeat community spirit, Bloomfield residents sponsor a wide variety of neighborhood activities. They are famous for their three-day celebration of the Pittsburgh Marathon and their Community Block Watch Program. The Bloomfield Citizens' Council was instrumental in getting Pittsburgh Police "Beat Cops" who patrol the area both day and night. The crime rate has been relatively low in the past and the citizens are determined to keep it that way.

Average House Price: $46,000

Rental Range: $200 - $450 per month

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East Liberty is located between Shadyside and Highland Park and is particularly known for its bustling business district and low-cost, high-rise apartment buildings.

It is a diverse neighborhood with newer tracts of one-story ranch houses and older streets of small frame Victorians. The churches here are exceptionally active in community life and offer many innovative outreach programs.

Average House Price: $32,000

Rental Range: $150 - $450 per month

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The Friendship area contains a number of stately older homes that have been renovated and converted into apartments that are roomy and aesthetically pleasing. Most of the houses have enough yard space for children to play and for adults to entertain guests.

There are restaurants, bars, groceries stores and a variety of shops. The walk from Friendship to Carnegie Mellon takes approximately 35 minutes. Residents of the area can choose from three major routes when traveling into town by car or by bus.

Average House Price: $56,000
Rental Range: $200 - $ 450 per month

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Greenfield is very much a family-oriented neighborhood and is almost suburban in feeling. The houses range across the spectrum from original Victorians to newer brick ranches. Greenfield is nestled near the border of Schenley Park opposite Carnegie Mellon. Its elevated hilltop locations offer breathtaking views of the downtown area and other bedroom communities across the river.

Greenfield boasts both public and parochial schools, a new community recreation center, a swimming pool, corner mom-and-pop stores, various older family businesses, a thriving commercial business district, good public transportation and easy accessibility. Average House Price: $54,000
Rental Range: $250 - $500 per month

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Highland Park is an area where students are beginning to discover a measure of affordable security in a community comparable to some of the more high-demand areas. The quality of housing ranges from acceptable to highly preferable. A nice two-bedroom apartment in some sections of this area can be had for the price of an efficiency in Squirrel Hill, and three-bedroom units here are less than a one-bedroom unit in Shadyside. There is usually less traffic in the area and, therefore, fewer parking issues.

This is a particularly nice area for families with children because the residential area borders Highland Park itself, which has playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis courts, nature trails, swimming pools and numerous points that overlook the Allegheny River Valley. Highland Park is also home to the Pittsburgh Zoo, a favorite attraction for people of all ages. There are city-sponsored art programs available year around and free movies and live entertainment during the summer months.

Average House Price: $67,000
Rental Range: $250 - $ 600 per month

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Students who live in Oakland are within easy walking distance of the Carnegie Mellon campus, several major libraries, the Carnegie Museum and a host of other attractions. At night, Forbes Avenue takes on a dynamic atmosphere in which live entertainment, international foods, arcades, movies and assorted shops are a way of life. The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon student bodies are comprised of individuals from approximately 90 nations, many of whom live in Oakland, which provides for a diverse cultural living environment.

Oakland is one of the most traveled areas of the city because Fifth and Forbes avenues, two of the main traffic arteries to and from downtown Pittsburgh, pass through its center. Several of the city's most popular bus routes have stops on virtually every corner of these avenues in Oakland, making public transportation a breeze. These attributes create a fairly high demand for the available rental units.

Because of the density of the area, most of the yards are small. All the activity of the Oakland area means that traffic is typically heavy. Oakland residents who drive frequently need to be prepared for potentially significant problems finding adequate parking. Because of Oakland's size, we break down the area listings into four different sectors below - North, South, Central and West.

Average House Price: $63,000

Rental Range:
$ 300 - $600 per month (North)
$100 - $450 per month (South)
$250 - $550 per month (Central)
$100 - $450 per month (West)

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Point Breeze is situated along either side of Penn Avenue (the original Forbes Trail) from Fifth to Braddock avenues. Large beautiful homes with manicured lawns are set back from wide tree-lined streets and tucked into quiet elegant cul-de-sacs. There are several clusters of small grocery stores, pizzerias, beauty shops, dry cleaners and medical offices. One such cluster in Point Breeze is the original "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood," depicted in the national public television children's program of the same name. The schools, both public and parochial, are highly rated and many of the residents are very active in community projects including a neighborhood newsletter. Listings for Point Breeze are classified into two groups - North and South.

Average House Price:

$73,000 (North)
$143,000 (South)

Rental Range:
$250 - $500 per month (North)
$250 - $550 per month (South)

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Regent Square is on the eastern edge of Pittsburgh and borders the boroughs of Wilkinsburg, Edgewood and Swissvale. The main arterial street is Braddock Avenue, which runs through the neighborhood. People who wish to escape city taxes and still be close to city attractions often choose to live here. The neighborhood inclines to smaller but sturdy houses of all architectural types, larger yards and wide tree-lined brick streets. There is a public school and a community business section that includes a supermarket, a movie house, art galleries, boutiques, medical offices, banks, cleaners, laundromats, pubs and automotive garages to name a few.

Regent Square is separated from Squirrel Hill by Frick Park, which offers baseball diamonds, the only clay tennis courts available in the surrounding area, playgrounds, pavilions, wooded walking trails and quiet meadow areas.

Average House Price: $104,000

Rental Range: $250 - $600 per month

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Since the mid-1960s, Shadyside has become an increasingly popular area of Pittsburgh. Today, the population is largely composed of professionals, artists and students who enjoy the aesthetic side of life. Walnut Street is lined with shops offering expertly crafted items that range from the practical to the curious, restaurants that cater to those of discriminating tastes and clubs that offer choice beverages and slightly upbeat atmospheres. In addition, the Shadyside Arts Festival, which is held on the first weekend of August, is one of the largest festivals in the East. During this three-day event, the streets are roped off and booths are erected to display items for sale by fine artists and craftsmen.

Since the Carnegie Mellon shuttle runs through the neighborhood, students often feel the savings in transportation costs offset the slightly higher rents they pay to live in Shadyside. Easy access to several major bus routes allows a relatively high degree of mobility to residents who do not own cars. Additionally, grade schools, daycare centers, grocery stores and a hospital are all right there.

Average House Price: $139,000

Rental Range: $300 - $650 per month

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The housing in Squirrel Hill ranges from modern apartments to beautiful Tudor mansions on sprawling, landscaped grounds. Most of the houses are situated on fairly spacious lots containing shade trees and shrubs. Though the rents are moderately expensive, most apartments and houses are of high-quality construction and are well maintained. Squirrel Hill is the most populous area of Pittsburgh and its residents report the highest degree of community satisfaction in the city. A one-word description of the area is "comfortable."

Squirrel Hill begins literally at the eastern boundary of the Carnegie Mellon campus and fans out on both sides of Forbes Avenue. Many areas of Squirrel Hill are only a short walk from campus, and students find the convenience all the more pleasing. Those who travel by bus have several routes to choose from, all of which stop at Carnegie Mellon. Additionally, Squirrel Hill provides easy access to one of the major parkways running through Pittsburgh.

Squirrel Hill is a thriving area with a variety of businesses that are capable of meeting a wide range of consumer demands. A 30-minute walk can take you past movies, pubs, delicatessens, restaurants, grocers, import shops, clothiers, travel agents and several of the city's major banks. With Schenley Park on its borders, the community offers a variety of outdoor recreation that ranges from golf, tennis and swimming during the summer months, to cross-country skiing and ice skating during the winter. Our listings for Squirrel Hill are divided into two categories - North and South.

Average House Price: $160,000

Rental Range:
$350 - $600 per month (North)
$300 - $550 per month (South)