Pittsburgh Neighborhoods
Oakland
Oakland is the academic and healthcare center of Pittsburgh and one of the city's major cultural centers. The neighborhood is home to three universities, museums, and hospitals, as well as an abundance of shopping, restaurants, and recreational activities. This is where Pitt’s main campus is located, as well as a majority of the first year classes and research labs.
Squirrel Hill
Squirrel Hill is a residential neighborhood, officially divided into two, Squirrel Hill North and Squirrel Hill South. Squirrel Hill features a cluster of indie clothing boutiques, chic decor shops and bookstores. It also has an eclectic mix of Thai and Indian eateries, pizza joints and delis on Forbes Avenue. This family friendly neighborhood is filled with beautiful historic homes. Easy commute into main campus Oakland.
Shadyside
Shadyside is a residential area known for its eclectic shopping scene, with a mix of upscale boutiques, big-name brand shops and specialty grocers, plus vintage, antiques and home decor stores. The lively bar scene features late-night pubs, a popular gay club and chilled craft beer spots, joined by tapas restaurants, American eateries, noodle bars and brunch spots. Easy commute into main campus Oakland and Hillman’s Cancer Center, and Children’s Hospital.
Bloomfield
Bloomfield, known as Pittsburgh’s Little Italy, is an eclectic neighborhood with a wide-ranging dining scene that includes pizzerias and old-school Italian spots, as well as global eateries, hip cafes and burger joints. Lively taverns host bands and DJs, and classic dive bars buzz after dark. Liberty Avenue has independent shops selling records, books and secondhand clothes. Easy commute into main campus Oakland, Hillman Cancer Center, and Children’s Hospital.
Lawrenceville
Formerly an industrial neighborhood with a rich history, Lawrenceville has transformed into a hub for innovation, creativity and nightlife. Lawrenceville is a historic neighborhood that has reinvented itself into a boho city center with a hyper creative energy, and an edgy nightlife. Butler Street is lined with trendy bars and restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and boutiques and even a historic movie theater. Easy commute to Children’s Hospital.
South Side
There is no shortage of bars on the South Side. East Carson is Pittsburgh’s Bourbon Street, with all manner of watering holes packed onto every block. Whether you’re sipping elaborate cocktails at the speakeasy-style Acacia, throwing back a pint of Fathead’s award-winning beer, or hopping between the street’s many dives, the neighborhood has your tippling needs covered.
Resources for Finding an Apartment
Popular Management Companies
Forbes Management, Union Real Estate, PMC Properties, Sterling Land, Steiner Realty, Walnut Capital, JJ Land Company
What do we wish we knew before we started looking?
Think about commute!
You’re most likely going to be relying on buses heavily to get to and from campus. Make sure you look at the bus routes!
When to start looking?
May is a prime time to start looking, but don’t stress! You can always find something even a month before you move here.
Other Neighborhoods
East Liberty
20-30 minute commute to main campus Okland. Close to restaurants and bars.
Greenfield
Affordable housing, easy commute to main campus Oakland and Bridgeside Point II.
Strip District
Expensive housing, lots of shops, restaurants and bars, but not very residential. 30 minute commute to main campus.
Suburbs
More “bang for your buck” but bus commute is not worth it. You’ll need a car!