Author: Mark Houser
Why Edgeworth is Pittsburgh's Best Affluent Suburb
The borough takes its name from a school for girls established in the 1830s, and other historic echoes can be found if one knows where to look.
Why Murrysville is Pittsburgh's Best Traditional Neighborhood
Low property taxes, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods and an expanding selection of new housing help account for the first-place finish of this sprawling suburb in Westmoreland County.
Why Harrison is Pittsburgh's Most Affordable Suburb
Short commutes, good housing priced right plus neighborhood amenities and safe streets, make Harrison Township the top Affordable Suburb in this year’s rankings.
This Old Pittsburgh House: The Odd Fairytale House on Route 28
A renowned architect’s fantasy project in Aspinwall needs a new owner.
Scenic Pittsburgh: What Makes the 'Burgh Beautiful?
Scenic Pittsburgh has picked up the mantle of a century-old fight atop Mount Washington as one of the many large and small beautification battles it fights.
This Old Pittsburgh House: Built in 1803 and Still Occupied
The log cabin and church that make up part of the Depreciation Lands Museum in Hampton Township depict everyday life in the 18th century.
This Old Pittsburgh House: The Composer's House
Stephen Foster was born at 3600 Penn Ave., which later, in a musical connection, was owned by the founder of the American Wind Symphony Orchestra.
This Old Pittsburgh House: A Ghost in the Library
It's said that the mischievous spirit of Amanda Bayne Balph still haunts the red brick Victorian home in Bellevue.
MultiStories: Three Times a Bust – The German National Bank
The bank was at the center of a corruption scandal which eventually led to an overhaul of Pittsburgh city government.
MultiStories: Pittsburgh's Art Deco Obelisk – The Gulf Building
As the Gulf Building rose into Pittsburgh skyline in the early 1930s, the prospects of its owner were headed in the opposite direction.
MultiStories: The Violent Beginning of Union Station
Pittsburgh's Union Station –– built after its predecessor was destroyed in a deadly labor dispute –– nearly succumbed to the wrecking ball in 1966.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: The Raw Data
Want to dig further into our research? You can compare where you live to all 131 suburbs using 27 different criteria.
Which is Pittsburgh's Best Traditional Suburb?
A traditional suburb is considered those with a 2017 median home sale price between 100,000 and $250,000.
Which is Pittsburgh's Best Affluent Suburb?
An affluent suburb is one with a 2017 median home price of $250,000 or more.
Which is Pittsburgh's Best Affordable Suburb?
An affordable suburb is one with a 2017 median home sale price below $100,000.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Which is the Safest?
Using data from the Pennsylvania State Police, this category ranks a two-year average of reported incidents of criminal homicide, sex-related offenses, robbery, assault, property offenses, and drug and alcohol-related crimes. For assault, property crimes and drug and alcohol crimes, numbers are converted to a ratio per 100,000 population so as not to penalize larger communities that have correspondingly more incidents.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Where Is it Easiest to Get Around?
Rankings are based on average reported commute time to work, as well as how many residents walk to their jobs. County crash statistics per mile of road give a measure of how safe local streets are. A bonus point is awarded to communities served by a T stop, and/or along the route of the Three Rivers Heritage or Montour trails.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Which has the Best Schools?
Communities are graded by their public school district (private schools are not part of the rankings) according to students’ average math and verbal SAT scores, how many Advanced Placement courses are offered, the presence or absence of full-day kindergarten and the school tax millage.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Which has the Best Neighborhood?
Higher scores go to places with a larger share of adults holding college degrees, as well as suburbs with more children. This category also ranks political engagement, the number of residents moving into the suburb within the last year, how many acres are shaded by trees and the presence of a coffee shop.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Which has the Best Housing?
Ratings in this category compare age of homes, how much the median sale price of a home has changed over five years, the property tax millage and the percent of home ownership verses rental units.
This Old Pittsburgh House: Concert on Amberson Avenue
The brown brick, Queen Anne-style home in Shadyside is as rich in history as it is in music.
MultiStories: Kaufmann & Baer Co.
Bet you think we're talking about the origins of the Downtown building with the famous clock –– not this time.
MultiStories: Real Estate - The Hotel Schenley
Find out how what was once Pittsburgh's grandest hotel became the student union at the University of Pittsburgh.
GET MORE GREAT CONTENT LIKE THIS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE 412 E-NEWSLETTER
