2021 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Pittsburgh

Regent Square

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.85 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: Regent Square is one of my favorite neighborhoods. It is set away from the city living and feels more like a suburb in close proximity to the city living style. The neighborhood still has a great selection of restaurants and coffee shops and is situated next to Frick Park. Pet owners are highly welcomed in this neighborhood. Also, the neighborhood has just amazing trees that makes it feel very nature-focused. It is also located near bus transportation and convenient to commuting to Downtown. Two major drawbacks are the public schools (K-12) and the high property taxes for an owner (about $5k per year per $100k in house value. Yes, expensive!) Safety is pretty decent, but I would make sure to lock your car doors every night. Even to this day (2018), items are stolen from vehicles in street-parking when doors are unlocked. I do not believe there are break-ins in any vehicles or homes...Read 13 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 4,067 Population

Point Breeze

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 4.05 out of 5  20 reviews

Current Resident: I have loved my time living in Point Breeze. It's a place where kindness is valued, and neighbors do whatever possible to assist each other. Growing up, I loved going to the playground that sat right across the street from my home. I met so many wonderful kids there, and some I am still friends with as of today. The neighborhood is filled with so many artistic people, and it's apparent even if you just walk around the block. You can see hand made murals on houses, and small art studios in people's garages. Point Breeze is a city filled with unique spirits, who want nothing but the best for their neighbors and community...Read 20 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 7,162 Population

Squirrel Hill South

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 4.62 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: Squirrel Hill is a beautiful, quiet neighborhood nestled in the midst of the city, with two big parks nearby that I run through all the time. It has some great restaurants and is convenient for groceries and other life necessities. I only wish that this city could do something about the poverty and homelessness that I see everywhere, even in relatively well-off areas like Squirrel Hill. There is excessive inequality and we are reminded of it every day when we walk through the neighborhood...Read 26 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 15,470 Population

Squirrel Hill North

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.83 out of 5  29 reviews

Current Resident: Neighborhood has good schools, and is close to universities. It is safe. There are shops to cater to most people's needs, although I recommend owning a car to get around. It is PRICEY. Most residents are well-educated with good jobs, or are affluent retirees to match. With that comes some snobbiness, but that is the minority. Due to residents being well-educated and progressive, there seems to be a lot of philanthropy, activism, and nonprofit work. Home values are high, but it is still possible to find affordable housing here or in bordering neighborhoods. Jobs and commute are both ideal, though it depends on what sector you work in. Med/Ed/Tech are most common, but there are many part-time opportunities too...Overall, Squirrel Hill North's pros outweigh its cons by a long shot. Cost of living and housing, while somewhat intimidating, are still doable on 2 or more incomes. If you want a sense of community, you will find it as long as you're willing to reach out...Read 29 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 11,474 Population

Swisshelm Park

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 2,004 Population

Shadyside

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 4.02 out of 5  55 reviews

Current Resident: Young professional-centric region, primarily inhabited by people associated with CMU/Pitt or UPMC. Walnut St is small, quaint, fun, but can become repetitive. Lots of good small bars, restaurants are generally mid tier and won't destroy your wallet but there are some amazing hidden restaurants on the side streets (Pallantia, Noodlehead, Umi, SOBA). Safe to walk around with occasional problems, and plenty of lovely homes nearby that are better for families while there are also plentiful apartment complexes for younger people. Housing is very pricey, and grocery stores are difficulty (Market District and Trader Joe's nearby, Aldi close and Giant Eagle close but not as accessible). Public Transportation one of the few gold stars of Pittsburgh - the buses are great generally and Shadyside is frequented by many lines...Read 55 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 14,317 Population

Greenfield

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.47 out of 5  47 reviews

Current Resident: I love this neighborhood so much that after 3 years of renting, we bought a house two blocks over. Greenfield is relatively quiet, but close to everything in this city! Very walkable, and places to get to on foot like the neighborhood pool, baseball field, playground, Schenley Park, a couple of bars and restaurants. I can easily walk to Squirrel Hill and have a ton of options for restaurants and cafes but at half the house cost. Easy to any of the hip neighborhoods on the East End, plus also The Waterfront, and Southside. Bike trail very close and many dedicated bike Lanes in East End...Things can happen anywhere, but I've not heard of any major criminal activity. I keep my house armed, as I would anywhere. I lean toward liberal views but also moderate on some things. I believe there is a nice mix of political opinions and definitely diversity. I love having neighbors from around the world!People walk and ride bikes a lot, many with their dogs or kids, sometimes even a cat!Read 47 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 8,053 Population

Highland Park

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 4.07 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: I really like Highland Park. I have been living in this area for 16 years and the community is great! Everything is in walking, driving and or biking distance. The park is beautiful and the businesses in the community are excellent. There is so much to do and see. The Pittsburgh Zoo is not too far from the area as well. Make sure to visit our Highland Park Jazz concert series located next to the reservoir every Sunday in the month of August...Read 14 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade C

• 6,363 Population

Downtown

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: The weather is not the best, however, the atmosphere in Pittsburgh is really chill. It is a very intellectual part of town, with medical centers and colleges in one place.Read 1 Review

• grade A

• grade C minus

• 5,490 Population

Point Breeze North

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.29 out of 5  7 reviews

• grade A

• grade B

• 1,915 Population

Friendship

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 5 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: I really love the Friendship neighborhood! I moved from a large city to Pittsburgh recently and must say that I am enjoying the smaller town vibes. Friendship feels like a community and the houses/gardens are lovely. There is a lot to do and see within walking distance and I have never felt unsafe walking alone at night...Read 8 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C minus

• 1,878 Population

Lower Lawrenceville

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: More development! Lots of great restaurants already but parking is hard to find if you live there. No permits in Lower Lawrenceville, but I can usually find a spot on a side street.Read 1 Review

• grade A

• grade C minus

• 2,226 Population

Stanton Heights

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: My neighborhood is a comfortable place to live in. Our street which I live on is very safe and the resident who live here has been here for many years. Where we live is close to all areas stores and shops. Monroeville and North Hills are only 15 minuets away. Local grocery stores are near. Best neighborhood to live in. Also local schools are near. Good neighborhood to walk and exercise . What I would like to see change is that more people get involved with keeping a light on outside of there home and letting official know if strangers or vandalism is being committed .Look out for each other...Read 8 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C

• 4,466 Population

Bloomfield

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.84 out of 5  25 reviews

Current Resident: Since moving here about a month or so ago, we've found the neighborhood to be very walkable, with restaurants, stores and grocery outlets very handy. The areas away from the traffic of Penn and Liberty streets are quiet.terrific. The Saturday farmers market is terrific. I would have given the neighborhood a 5 star rating but it is fairly well isolated from any sizeable park or green space...Read 25 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C minus

• 8,887 Population

Central Lawrenceville

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.24 out of 5  17 reviews

Niche User: The Lawrenceville is one of the most unique neighborhoods in the city. It has everything a young person would want including parks, businesses, and restaurants. The neighborhood maintains a diversity and uniqueness that contributes to a highly progressive environment. The architecture of the buildings is classic and exhibits the neighborhood's history...Read 17 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C minus

• 4,689 Population

Upper Lawrenceville

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.57 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: I'm the kind of person who likes to have their living space in a quiet area, but if I want to go out, the bar scene isn't too far away. That's exactly what you get with Upper Lawrenceville. Not too many bars and restaurants on the main street, but it's really easy to walk five minutes to Central Lawrenceville where there are plenty. I also love being able to walk or bike through Allegheny Cemetery. It's very peaceful and well-maintained. There's even a little trail with a quaint sitting area. One thing I would like to see improved in the neighborhood is street paving. The alleyways always seem to be forgotten, but they're actually heavily used...Read 7 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C

• 2,573 Population

Polish Hill

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Polish Hill has the best gritty Pittsburgh feel of any neighborhood that I've ever lived in. The people aren't pretentious or nosey and they are always willing to help others in their community. I also love the artistic nature of the area. There are a lot of punk musicians and artists that live and work here. Gooski's and the Rock Room are excellent dive bars and always chill places to grab a beer and some food. The central location is also super clutch as you are close to the Strip, Downtown, Lawrenceville, and Oakland as well as all major highways getting into and out of the city...Read 1 Review

• grade A

• grade C minus

• 1,244 Population

South Side Flats

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.68 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Southside since the summer of 2017 (senior year of undergrad), and I've had a great time living here. It was built for the steel factories that lined the river bank, the neighborhood reflects that. Nowadays, it's a lot of current college students, post-grads, and young urban professionals. There's so many bars and restaurants to go to so nightlife deservedly gets an A+ here. Typically every Friday and Saturday night the streets are lined with people bar-hopping and I'd say it's the best nightlife scene Pittsburgh has to offer. ...It's growing as a neighborhood for young urban professionals and those looking for that party-experience once they graduate. But in terms of buying a home or raising a family I'd say look elsewhere. There are no major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target anywhere near the vicinity and it is PITA to go to basic retailers to get home supplies, electronics, or anything other than food and drinks(Aldis, Giant Eagle)...Read 22 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C

• 6,736 Population

South Side Slopes

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Great location, amazing views, and wonderful people. This feels like the Brooklyn of Pittsburgh with incredible views of the city. There are some great parks, and you can easily live here without a car...Read 6 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C+

• 4,288 Population

Strip District

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Love the location of the strip district. You can bike to all pro sports teams in the city. The river trail is great. So many good restaurants and markets. The neighborhood is a cool part of Pittsburgh history. Can bike/walk to downtown. Easy access to highways to get out of the city. ...Main downside is there is no large grocery store nearby. Must drive 12-15 minutes to get to a good one.Read 2 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C minus

• 1,212 Population

New Homestead

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA

• grade A

• grade B+

• 4,611 Population

Morningside

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: We've lived here for four years and love this little neighborhood. I love that it feels almost like a cozy little suburb, but you are only a few bus stops away from busier parts of the East End. Having two bus lines run through the neighborhood means that you never have to wait long. The neighborhood drugstore, restaurant/bar, and the coffee shop all offer great walkable conveniences, but your also close to the stores in East Liberty or across the river at Waterworks. Everyone is really friendly, a lot of older residents, but also a ton of young families with small children. Unfortunately, it is not very diverse, being predominately white though. Overall though it's a really quiet, friendly, and safe neighborhood in the East End...Read 4 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C

• 3,083 Population

Allegheny Center

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA

• grade A minus

• grade C minus

• 1,456 Population

Banksville

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA
• Rating 3.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in Banksville and it has always been a family-friendly place. May opportunities for good schooling and close to food and fun.Read 8 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C+

• 4,798 Population

East Carnegie

• Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA

• grade A minus

• grade C+

• 2,661 Population