Darragh St Apartments

My experience has been good. All of the utilities have been supplied, maintenance has been very prompt the few times I have had issues, and the building is kept neat and clean, for the most part. The only disorganized aspect is the entryway as it is often cluttered with deliveries as there is no dedicated mailroom or area.

Fantastic experience. Love the apartment, has a nice size and good windows, small but well-equipped kitchen with everything you need. Good storage space with closets in every room. Across the street from the medical school and very close to all major hospitals. Excellent bus access to most of the rest of the city through bus stops on Fifth and Forbes Avenue. A bit exhausting to live on top of a big hill, but still very convenient. Can reach most grocery stores by bus, although the small Forbes Street Market which opened recently is close by and very helpful for essentials. The Pete Gym is very close as well (although that is probably less helpful nowadays).

Apartment is good for med students at UPSOM. Easy 2-minute walk to Scaife Hall. Nice to have all utilities included in rent. In-hour laundry/dryer is great. Quiet complex, never any noise at night. If there’s an issue, maintenance is quick to fix the problem.

Great place to live overall. Close to health science graduate schools which is a big plus. Generally quiet. Problem is that walls and floors are thin so sound from above and to the side travels easily. Sometimes hear hospital helicopters and construction at odd hours. If you don't mind a little noise Darragh is a great place to live.

Really close to Presby/Monte which is convenient for medical students. Has all the amenities that you may need! Slightly more expensive than other places in Pittsburgh but can be totally worth it.

- Parking is an additional ~100 per month that must be paid in full for the year upfront (as a first-year you usually cannot get parking in the apartment complex lot as spaces are allocated based on seniority - first years usually park in the OC lot ~5 min walk from complex)
- Pro: convenient to class & most UPMC hospitals (walking distance to montefiore, wpic, va, presby, magee), all utilities included, quiet (only dental and med students), pay directly to university of pittsburgh, fast maintenance (i received brand new washer/dryer & ac unit when it broke), safe mail storage for packages, AC units!!
- Con: expensive, fire alarms get set off a lot, small living quarters, small closets/storage space

Excellent location but too expensive for the size.

Negatives:
Very small, it's basically a thousand dollar a month dorm room.
Some rooms/floors have very bad ventilation with terrible high humidity requiring a dehumidifier or else the bed gets damp. You won't know if your apartment is one of the unlucky ones until it's too late.
The washer/drier the apartment comes with is very slow and won't completely dry your clothes (but you do get a washer and drier!)
Air conditioner will often have or grow mold on it
Individual apartments vary in quality - I moved from an apartment in 361 to one in 341, and the room in 341 had much better updated appliances and much lower humidity but for the same cost.
The initial entrance room is accessible without a key card, and often your mail will just be dumped there for anyone to see or take.
Parking passes are stupid expensive.

Positives: Good water, hot water doesn't run out, strong water pressure in shower
Nice community, neighbors are medical or dental students and are very mature and respectful
You can control your air conditioning
One single monthly payment with all utilities included
Good location right in Oakland with UPMC Presby and Montefiore in 5 min walking distance
No smoking policy so no smoke from neighbors drifting up to your floor and smelling awful and irritating your lungs
Secure, need a key card to get into the building