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Chloe moving

Should I move to Shady Side or stay in Pittsburgh?

Random thought, The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low.
11 upvotes

13 Replies

Everett Flores
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Liam Morris
I've lived in Uptown for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is underrated

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Evan W.
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Elena Morales
facts
35 upvotes
orlando_isaac
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a real estate agent, 45, moved here 14 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Boston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
29 upvotes
Sofia Cooper
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Everett R.
Totally agree!
28 upvotes
Kai Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Westside for 6 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Madelyn White
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Claire H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.

I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is solid.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Jaxon Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a HR manager, 57, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
14 upvotes
Santiago Johnson
bump
12 upvotes
Luca Roberts
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's been a really good experience overall.
8 upvotes
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