Get the FAQs about Downtown Living

So, you are interested in finding an alternative to your long commute and living in suburban sprawl, but still have lots of

questions? We are here to help. Read some of the most commonly asked questions or submit one yourself and we'll ask

our panel of downtown real estate experts, community development leaders and urban residents for their thoughts.

I like to spend time outdoors, isn’t that hard to do living in the city?
Well you will probably have to give up mowing your patch of grass but Pittsburgh is an amazingly green and active city and you would be hard pressed to find as much to do as close to your suburban home as you can find downtown – all available within minutes of your front door. No matter what your sport, there is probably something going on in the city. Start with Venture Outdoors and Walls Are Bad.com to find a complete list of outdoor activities. For water sports, Kayak Pittsburgh on the North Shore is open from May to October. If bike riding is your thing then rent a bike at Golden Triangle Bike and Blade, or check out BikePgh.org for everything bike going on in the city. For the really hardcore, the Allegheny Cycling Association hosts criterium races and time trials throughout the summer on Washington Boulevard. If off road cycling is more your thing then check out the Pittsburgh Off Road Club for rides. Did you know that Pittsburgh is ranked as the 10th best walking city in the country? If you are looking for a stroll you have your choice of a whole network of downtown trails or take up a true Pittsburgh sport and head for the steps for some heart pounding exercise or join Urban Hike for their regular treks around the city. And if you want to pick up the pace, join People Who Run Downtown for their weekly runs. What else can you find going on outside around town? In-line skating with the Three Rivers Inline Club, Tennis at the Frick Park Clay Courts or just spend some time in one of Pittsburgh’s amazing parks that are full of playgrounds, trees, trails for walking, running and biking. Pittsburgh has so much to do outdoors you will never miss mowing the lawn.

Is Downtown Pittsburgh Safe?
Pittsburgh is a typical American city but we are blessed with a reasonably low crime rate. In fact, among the 25 largest Metro Areas in the U.S., Pittsburgh has the lowest crime rate. In 2007, we actually boasted the lowest citywide crime rate in 40 years, according the Pittsburgh Police Annual Report. This could be attributed in part to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Clean and Safe Program which aims to keep the golden triangle gleaming. Most downtown workers and residents will tell you that walking the city streets does not give them any concern but in case you are still wary, the PDP also offers safety escorts downtown that will be happy to walk along with you.

Where do I go grocery shopping?
This seems to be one of the most common questions and it’s a bit funny because most people live several miles from their grocery store and so why would downtown be any different? Luckily, there are several within just a few miles of the city. Right downtown is Rosebud Fine Food Market and Deli on 7th Street. Giant Eagle has three stores within 3.5 miles of downtown, one on the South Side, one on the North Side just across the 9th Street Bridge and one in Oakland. If you are looking for something a bit more natural, you can try the new Right By Nature natural foods market grocery in the Strip District. Perhaps the best part of moving downtown though is not shopping at big grocery stores and instead picking up dinner at great food markets located primarily in the Strip District. Wholey’s Fish Market, Sunseri’s, Prestogeorge Fine Foods, Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, Mon Amiee Chocolat and Farmers@Firehouse Saturday Farmers Market just to name a few.

Where do I park?
At most downtown properties you will either purchase a space (or have the cost of a parking space included in the list price of the property), which can be rolled into your mortgage or you will lease a space either inside the building or at a nearby garage. Some buildings even offer 24/7 valet arrangements.  You should consider this cost in your budget or even consider going car-less. In Pittsburgh, Zipcar has 34 vehicles located in Downtown, Oakland, Shadyside/East Liberty, Squirrel Hill, and Bloomfield. You can just pick up a car when you really need one and return it to it’s parking space when you don’t. Many people that have moved downtown find that they can get rid of a car or two and save themselves a lot of money in the process.

Aren’t taxes high downtown?
It is true that taxes are higher in the city than in the suburbs but it may be more affordable than you think. The fact is when you calculate some of the things you save on you may just find out that it’s a pretty good deal. Back in 2006, Pop City looked at the numbers and did a great story on the finances of living downtown. So take a look at their numbers and see if you agree.

Also, you need to know about LERTA. Otherwise know as the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Act. Local Economic Revitalization Tax Act District (LERTA) was created to improve the economic and business climate of certain residential and commercial districts by lessening the tax burden on new development. What can LERTA do for you? It can lower your taxes on certain downtown properties by up to $6,180 a year for 10 years! That’s over $61,800 of tax savings that will benefit buyers in Downtown, The Strip District and parts of the South Side.

Is the Pittsburgh Public School System a good place to send my kids?
Pittsburgh is the largest of 43 school districts in Allegheny County and second largest in Pennsylvania. The District serves approximately 28,000 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 in 65 schools. In May 2006, Superintendent Mark Roosevelt introduced Excellence for All, the District's roadmap for improving the academic performance of all students. This plan aims to establish a common belief across the Pittsburgh community that every child–at every level of academic performance–can achieve excellence. The graduation rate as calculated by RAND puts Pittsburgh roughly in the middle of average graduation rates among large urban school districts across the United States. Greatschools.com rates Pittsburgh schools a 6 out of 10 on their website. PPS also offers a number of magnet schools and programs allow students to pursue special interests, talents or career goals. These include the highly acclaimed downtown performing arts high school, CAPA. If private schools are of interest, Pittsburgh has a number of good private schools, including Falk School, Campus School of Carlow University, City High, ShadySide Academy, The Ellis School, Waldorf School of Pittsburgh and Vincentian Academy.

One other reason to consider sending you kids to Pittsburgh Public Schools is the Pittsburgh Promise. The Pittsburgh Promise is a community commitment to help students and families of the Pittsburgh Public Schools plan, prepare, and pay for education beyond high school. Currently, students who are eligible have the opportunity to receive a scholarship from The Pittsburgh Promise that would pay up to $5,000 each year for up to four years to help with expenses related to tuition, mandatory fees, books, dorm, and meal plan.

How do I fit everything from my old house?
Part of moving downtown is the opportunity to downsize. You may descide that you can get rid of lots of the things that are filling up your garage but really aren’t used anymore. It’s an opportunity to simplify and enjoy the finer things. Or, you can always put it in storage. Frontdoor.com has a great story on small space survival, take a read and get ready to free yourself of extra stuff!