Downtown

The Heart of the City
Downtown Pittsburgh is one of the safest, cleanest, and most underrated city centers in the country. More and more millennials and families are beginning to call this area home since it's relatively inexpensive, beautiful, and there's always something to do. You can find folks enjoying the ample green spaces, walking or running on the riverfront trails, and experiencing the spectacular nightlife options.

Even though it's the city center, it's not as chaotic as you'd expect. The area kept a lot of its core values from when it used to be dominated by the coal mining industry, which means that the people here are still pretty blue-collar in nature. Downtown Pittsburgh has handled it's revitalization very well by welcoming the newcomers but still retaining its true identity.
What Downtown Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
7.5
value
7.5
amenities
7.0
social
7.5
management
7.2
Median rents in Downtown
Studio
$
1,100
1 Bedroom
$
1,450
2 Bedroom
$
1,700

Living in
Downtown

Downtown — 7.8/10 Rating (based on 36 neighborhood reviews)
City view is located in uptown. It is super fun to be next to PPG Paints arena and attend hockey games and concerts. However, the area does not tend to be the safest, so besides walking to campus, I do not spend much time outside the grounds, and would not recommend walking outside the building at night.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City View
Can be noisy which I don't mind too much but sometimes it's annoying. Also driving around here during a penguins game is a nightmare but I've learned to plan ahead. Downtown doesn't always give off the safest vibe but it's not terrible
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City View
I enjoy downtown! It is easy to get to and from campus and the neighboring areas. I personally feel very safe. Being near the court house there is constantly police and cameras for safety.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Kaufmann's Grand on Fifth Avenue
Nice location, near a lot of restaurants and other attractions. Also close the highway and can get to other parts of the city relatively quickly
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Terminal 21
I love being walking distance to Market Square and being able to watch fireworks from my living room.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
First Avenue Lofts
The neighborhood seems to be very good. There are plenty of restaurants and it is close to campus.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Chatham Tower
It can be noisy but there is a lot to do downtown and it is really close to school.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City View
It’s so nice to be close to everything that downtown has to offer!
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Terminal 21
Cityview is located close to campus. It is an easy and safe walk. We are located directly next to PPG Paints Arena, and there are a number of food places within walking distance. The area is relatively quiet for being located so close to downtown.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City View
It's a busy area during the week but the businesses light up the streets. Lots of cars and people in a hurry. Aside from a few homeless and the occasional drunk. The downtown's views and people aren't bad.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Stanwix Apartments
Being on fifth and Forbes is not the cutest as compared to the cultural district but everything is within a 20 minute walk for restaurants and Ubers can get you anywhere within ten minutes.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Kaufmann's Grand on Fifth Avenue
The location is great; you can walk downtown and get to Market Square within 10 minutes. The T is also next door, so that is very convenient. However, over the past year, with the increased homeless population, the area is not safe anymore. Downtown has also gotten dirtier over the past year.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Terminal 21
Lots to do, close to public transit, and relatively quiet, as most people commute into downtown, but don't live here.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Venue
The downtown area is an area that is very easy to get public transportation. I didn't have to wait long to get the bus, so I was able to time it properly to get to campus. The problem here is that there are some homeless people who sometimes ask us for money, then another thing is that on weekend nights it is noisy outside the apartment because many people spend time around downtown at night.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Penn Commons
Just like any neighborhood downtown is nice and close to many places but just be aware of your surroundings when it gets closer to nighttime.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Allegheny Building Apartment
Downtown has become significantly more unsafe. The strip district, in near proximity, is a little better.
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Reviewed by
1
/10
Neighborhood Rating
957 Liberty Ave
I love downtown.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Stanwix Apartments
Wouldn’t walk around after dark but during the day it’s not so bad!
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Kaufmann's Grand on Fifth Avenue
We are right in Uptown, which is nice! Living inside the city will always have certain issues. However, because we are a private gated complex, our area is very secure. It does border the Hill district, but you never have to deal with any issues from there because there is no reason to go up that way. Campus is the opposite direction.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City View
I really enjoy living downtown! I am able to quickly get to Duquesne, my job at a law firm, and to Point Park. Additionally, there are a ton of restaurant and bar options nearby and it's very walker friendly.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Stanwix Apartments
Always something going on, tons of restaurants/bars, nearby target and very good cvs, close to many transit options, everything is easily walkable in the downtown area.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Penn Garrison Lofts
Downtown is a convenient place to live in relation to the school. The walk from the building to the school is less than 15 minutes.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Kaufmann's Grand
I personally love my apartment and the views that I have from my windows. However, there isn’t a whole lot going on downtown. It’s nice being downtown for showing family and friends around, but other than that, there isn’t a whole lot. There are very few other medical students who live in downtown (most are closer to Shadyside/North Oakland areas).
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Clark Building
I love the location. It gets a little noisy on weekends but other than that it’s not a big deal.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Penn Garrison Lofts
Easily walkable, lots of free events, and public transit to basically everywhere.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Clark Building
Across the street from PPG & market square. Down the street from a T station. Multiple bus stops in the area. Homeless shelter across the street, but they don’t bother anyone. Easy access to any parkway. Multiple garages near apt. 7 min walk to Target.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Stanwix Apartments
Right across the street from market square, down the road from a T station, a block away from the point. There is a church across the street that assists with unhoused people, but they never bother anyone.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Stanwix Apartments
Downtown is very walkable. There are nice restaurants but not as many student-budget friendly compared to the Pitt area. Not the safest walking at night so try and run errands before it gets dark.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Kaufmann's Grand on Fifth Avenue
Centrally located, but cannot walk to any grocery stores. Having a car makes it much more convenient. Also lacks the neighborhood feel of Lawrenceville or Shadyside.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Pennsylvanian
Quiet on the weekends, only one coffee shop downtown that's open past 4pm
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Chatham Tower
In the middle of downtown. Close to some great restaurants and bars. About a 10 min walk to the Oakland-bound buses
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Pennsylvanian
Much safer than the news likes to say… i’ve never felt unsafe walking downtown day nor night. Just don’t walk down Smithfield at wee hours of the night and you will be great!
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Stanwix Apartments
Downtown is not safe for many individuals, particularly if you are a woman living alone. It is best to be indoors when it gets dark out.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Allegheny Apartments
Downtown is super fun and really close to campus.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Kaufmann's Grand on Fifth Avenue
The neighborhood is safe overall but has a large homeless population.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
City View
Close to school
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Kaufmann's Grand on Fifth Avenue


Getting to Know
Downtown

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: Crawford St to The Ohio River
North to South Boundaries: Allegheny River to Monongahela River
dining
Blue Line Grille
Fernando’s
Hello Bistro
Meat & Potatoes
convenience
7-Eleven
CVS Pharmacy
Rite Aid
fitness
Gold’s Gym
PNC YMCA At U.S. Steel Tower
Sol Pilates
The Rink at PPG Place
parks
Market Square
coffee
21st Street Coffee And Tea
Crazy Mocha Coffee
Simpatico Espresso
Umbrella Cafe
bus
12/2 (bus)
36/38 (bus)
87/91 (bus)
rail
BLSV (metro)
BLSV (metro)
BLSV (metro)
parking
Alco Parking Sixth/Penn Garage
Chatham Center Garage 112 Washington Pl
Ppa Oliver Garage
About your Neighbors
Data from the 2013 American Community Survey
Zip Codes
Downtown includes zip codes 15219 and 15222
Rent vs Own
59
% of Downtown residents are renters
Driving to Work
39
% of Downtown residents drive to work
New Construction
20
% of housing units in Downtown have been built in the last 15 years
Building Types
48
%
<20 units
4
%
20-49 units
49
%
50+ units
Demographics
Children (under 18)
6
%
18 - 34
50
%
35 - 54
22
%
55+
22
%
Unit Mix
8
%
Studio
40
%
1 Bed
32
%
2 Bed
20
%
3+ Bed
Occupation or Education
Working Professional
46
%
Undergrad Student
34
%
Grad Student
2
%
Unemployed
6
%
Retired
11
%

Best Apartments
in Downtown

The Washington at Chatham
Studio $1,495
1 Bed $1,725

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City View
Studio $1,063
1 Bed $1,202
2 Beds $1,676

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Penn Garrison Lofts
1 Bed $1,250

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The Venue

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Kaufmann's Grand

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Union on 5th Avenue
2 Beds $1,800

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Nearby Neighborhoods

Neighborhood Guide
Strip District
Neighborhood Guide
Oakland
Home to Carnegie Mellon, Pitt, and UPMC
Neighborhood Guide
Bedford Dwellings
Neighborhood Guide
Middle Hill
Neighborhood Guide
Bluff
Centrally Located and Home to Duquesne University
Neighborhood Guide
Terrace Village