I have had the opportunity to spend several years in Pittsburgh as I completed my undergraduate degree and I am currently working on my Master’s. During my undergraduate studies I lived on campus and in South Oakland. Upon returning for my graduate degree, I knew that I had outgrown South Oakland. So I ended up in Shadyside!

Shadyside is a great Pittsburgh neighborhood, very welcoming to young professionals and graduate students. Shadyside has several areas of shopping and restaurants along Walnut Street, South Highland Avenue and Ellsworth Avenue. There are several buses that run through the area, including the 75, 71B, 71D, and the P3. I am within walking distance of Target and three grocery stores: Giant Eagle, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. For days when I need to be outside and remove myself from the hustle and bustle, I can walk to Mellon Park. Even more, Shadyside is home to a number of my classmates! If you’re an incoming student and not sure where to start looking for apartments, I would strongly suggest Shadyside, though I have a number of peers that are also happy in Squirrel Hill and North Oakland.

Also, if you are not familiar with the general lay out of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, please check out the Wikipedia’s Map of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. It does a pretty good job of outlining where each neighborhood is and you can click on each to get to an About page!