[SpongeG]

i have been lookign at houses on realtor.com and noticed there are some really cheap houses there

what is Schenley Heights like? and how can a house like this be so cheap? :shrug:

http://homepics.realtor.com/image8/http/pittsburghpa/listings/large/042/657707_101.jpg

$6900

Estimated payment:
$35 Per Month

thats just one example of many - is it a bad area?

[Evergrey]

"Schenley Heights" is an antiquated term for a subneighborhood with ambiguous borders. Basically, it lies within the Hill District, which is one of the city's most notorious areas. The Hill District suffered a fall from grace typical of many black neighborhoods in US cities... massive mid-century urban renewal projects destroying thousands of buildings and displacing thousands of people... racially-motivated riots... 80s crack epidemic... gang wars... crime waves... disinvestment... vacant buildings and lots... blight... reduced services and amenities... poor socio-economic trends... strained relationships with police and city at large... etc etc. These ultra-low housing prices are also a legacy of racist practices within real estate and financial sectors. Properties in black neighborhoods do not appreciate nearly as much as in white neighbohoods.

Schenley Heights is part of the Upper Hill District... which is by far the nicest and most in-tact part of the Hill District. It is filled with stately homes like those pictured... though some aren't in the most pristine condition. There's a nice park there at the highest point in Pittsburgh... it's a pretty attractive area... but there is a crime and vacancy problem... though not nearly as serious as the rest of the Hill District... it is on a hilltop just above the Schenley Farms subneighborhood of North Oakland... which is unquestionably a VERY NICE and beautiful area. Schenley Heights has quick access to Schenley High School, University of Pittsburgh, a few major hospitals and Baum-Centre business district.

Pittsburgh has some of the most affordable housing in the US... which is largely a legacy of the steel collapse of the 80s... which had a massive impact on our population trends which are only now starting to turn positive. So coming from Vancouver... I'm sure you'll be shocked at some of the large beautiful homes that are so cheap.

[architorture]

that pretty much sums it up....

maybe consider looking in some other neighborhoods- which very well can offer very affordable housing without the same level of crime concerns and such

[SpongeG]

thanks for the info

yeah i saw a lot of houses that looked lived in and ok for under $100,000 - most had mortages in the $300 - $400 range - much less than i pay for rent

me and my friend just like looking at houses on that site when we are bored... no plans to move but the same house looks wise would be $500,000 - 700,000 probably here in vancouver

[Rufus]

I was looking at some of those Pittsburgh houses, too. I'm amazed at just how cheap these are! There are several houses on there in the $4 to 6,000 range. I didn't think paying only 35 dollars a month for shelter was possible anywhere. I think even considering that they're in places like Homewood and probably need a lot of fixing up, they're very undervalued. Even a decent rowhouse in Squirrel Hill is listed at just 97 thousand.

[Wheelingman04]

One of the best things about Pittsburgh is that you can live there without breaking the bank even if you are not the most well off person financially.