National apartment listing services are available on line which allow you to review properties from around the country and around the world. Rent Net and Spring Street are two of the largest listing services. Even more than for rentals, the real estate sales marketplace has gone on line. All major real estate firms in Pittsburgh have established internet sites that permit customized home searches. Of course, there is always the basic issue of real estate location to be considered.
Location has several variables that apply to the home search.
Often the quality of neighborhood schooling is the defining issue. Pittsburgh is fortunate to have good city as well as suburban schools coupled with parochial and private school alternatives. The School Report is a good starting point for the newcomer. While Pittsburgh has many single family homes with lawns and trees, as a mature city we probably have more rowhouses and duplexes, not to mention concrete frontages, minimal setbacks, and on street parking. For greenspace, you will probably head to the suburbs with the attendant increase in commuting time.