Pittsburgh's 5 'Coolest' Neighborhoods: A Movers Guide

Moving can be both an exciting and daunting time, especially if you are unfamiliar with the neighborhoods scattered across Pittsburgh. As a prospective renter, you may be wondering where all the ‘cool’ neighborhoods are located in the great Steel City. Depending on what your style of living is, there are plenty of opportunities to help you settle into an area that fits your needs!

Squirrel Hill

When is comes to big, beautiful houses and lots of greenery, Squirrel Hill is a neighborhood with just that. With ethnic food, iconic cafes, and locally-owned shops, residents can keep busy during the weekends, on the bustling Forbes and Murray Avenue, or you can still enjoy quiet in an apartment off the beaten path. If you’re a movie-lover, be sure to stop by The Manor for a nice film and cocktail — yes, they have a bar inside.  

Bloomfield

Finding a nice spot in Pittsburgh doesn’t need to cost buckets of green, you can find a cool living space in Bloomfield for a reasonable price. This area of Pittsburgh is only a short bus ride away from local universities, like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, and is minutes from downtown. If Italian food is your thing, Bloomfield has just the ticket, as Pittsburgh’s “Little Italy” offers some great eats along Liberty Avenue.

Central Lawrenceville

Love coffee, music, art, and all things trendy? Central Lawrenceville has quickly become a hotspot for locals. You can walk along Butler Street and expect to find at least three coffee shops, plenty of local retailers, a variety of bars for any occasion, and some of the finest restaurants in the city. Weekends and evenings are always vibrant in this neighborhood, with Pittsburghers flocking to all that this location has to offer. Though the cost of living in this neighborhood is slowly rising, you can still find some reasonably priced spaces in the rowhouses that line the streets.  

Strip District

If you’re looking to work downtown Pittsburgh and don’t want a long commute to work, the Strip District is a lovely neighborhood, only minutes away from the heart of the city. Walk down to the famous Primanti Brothers for a signature sandwich that would make anyone’s mouth water, indulge in your artful-self at the Society for Contemporary Craft, grab a classic cocktail at Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery, or walk around the Senator John Heinz History Center. This hub has newly built condominiums and lofts, so movers can expect to find plenty of opportunity to settle-in and explore.

Shadyside

A fancier neighborhood, Shadyside is filled with Victorian-style homes, boutique hotels, and is host mansions on Fifth Avenue. Residents can spend hours shopping on Walnut Street, a strip of space with some of the most sought after shops in the city, from high-end retailers to eclectic, locally-owned stores, you can expect to find plenty of nice things to fill your new space. Aside from shops, this area hosts art galleries, restaurants, like Soba Lounge and Fajita Grill, and top-notch pet store, Smiley’s Pet Pad.   [tweetthis]Whether for work or play, if you’re moving to #Pittsburgh, consider these 5 neighborhoods.[/tweetthis]   If you’re moving to Pittsburgh, take some time to consider your personal interests and you’re sure to find a neighborhood to fit your needs. Now that you’ve got some areas in mind, try our Pittsburgh apartment locator tool to nail down your pad.