<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I'm a computer engineer and I'm transferring from the regional campus of Bradford (my small home town) to Pitt. My girlfriend is coming with me. I posted a few months ago to try and get more perspective and now I have, but I'm still hoping to get some help.</p>
<p>My absolute monthly limit for living expenses is $800 (rent and utilities and everything). We've found a place called "Crawford Square" (Crawford</a> Square Apartments | Apartments in Pittsburgh, PA) and I've heard great things about the apartments, but... awful things about the surrounding neighborhoods.</p>
<p>I've never lived in an unsafe place and I've never considered crime as a factor in our living (except the advice to "stay away from the Hills district").</p>
<p>Can you guys help me figure out about Pittsburgh's neighborhoods?</p>
<p>I really want to be able to find a place for my girlfriend and I and I don't want to always be worrying about her safety and mine. I know it costs more money, but... maybe you guys will be able to help me find more options. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone.</p>
<p>I’ve heard this is a nice complex, but you are correct that the surrounding neighborhood (Lower Hill District) is not so good. I do however think that the area will improve over the next few years with the redevelopment of the Civic Arena site and they are tearing down some nearby housing projects. </p>
<p>I would check on Craigslist and consider apts cut of houses as well as apartment buildings. Better neighborhoods convenient to Pitt would be Shadyside, Greenfield, Highland Park, Regent Square (not to far into the Wilkinsburg portion), Oakland itself, Squirrel Hill, South Side, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville. Will you have a car? The Lawrenceville and Greenfield bus connections are less frequent. All of those neighborhoods are better than the Hill District. Also avoid Garfield and Homewood.</p>
<p>Are you looking for a place that is $800 for both of you to live or $800 per person per month? </p>
<p>I think honestly in terms of proximity and price you would be better off looking into Oakland/South Oakland housing. The housing won’t be AS nice, but you will most likely be able to find something in your price range there. Also, check out craigslist for people renting out rooms in their houses (may be hard to find 2 empty rooms, but keep an eye out). Like southeastmom said, your best bet is CL. </p>
<p>Depending on how far out you go, I have friends that live in the Regeant Square/Wilkinsburg that also have relatively inexpensive housing around your price point.</p>
<p>I would just look in Central/South Oakland (preferably before you cross the Blvd of the Allies for walking convienence), Shadyside, and/or Squirrel Hill.</p>
<p>Places in Central/South Oakland may be dumpy, but they’ll be cheap and pretty safe (as long as you are using common sense). Mostly students live there and it is therefore often a louder and livelier neighborhood, but it would be more of a college experience. You could walk to everything at Pitt and easily catch transportation elsewhere in the city along the Forbes & Fifth corridor.</p>
<p>Shadyside is much nicer but more expensive, but still quick to get to. I even used to walk there from campus, but it is a little bit of a hike, but at least mostly flat. That is the nicest nearby neighborhood. You get more faculty and grad students there than undergrads.</p>
<p>Squirrel Hill is like the next notch down from Shadyside.</p>
<p>Also check here: [Exploring</a> Off-Campus Living | OCL | University of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.ocl.pitt.edu/]Exploring”>http://www.ocl.pitt.edu/)</p>